7 Fair Trade Gifts to Inspire a More Hygge Home
A hygge home is a cozy home. This Danish word takes on a life of its own. Sharing fair trade items with the ones that you love is a great way to enhance the hygglieg experiences they share in their home.
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Creating a Hygge Home with Fair Trade Finds
Hygge draws meaning from the fabric of ordinary living.
“The Book of Hygge: The Danish Art of Contentment, Comfort, and Connection” by Louisa Thomsen Brits
The concept of hygge reminds me of the peace of being home. Comfort, being content in the reality of day to day life, taking pleasure in the little moments, authenticity, kinship, and a sense of belonging. I recently read “The Book of Hygge,” which explained hygge plainly and so well. It’s not about perfectly posed pictures on Pinterest, but rather a depth of feelings in a moment.
Julehygge – a hygge Christmas – focuses on the experience of Christmas, not the “things” that Christmas brings. But, if you think about the little moments that bring true joy, you may recall the a connection to the senses that were evoked in those moments. The smell of a candle, the lighting in the room, the softness of your favorite sweater, or the taste of your favorite holiday foods. It is also important to note that hygge is also not about newness, so when gifting new items in the spirit of hygge, that they are built to last. Making memories with them and using them time and time again with love and fondness is where the spirit of hygge lies.
Now it sounds like hygge isn’t about gifting at all, right? But I believe that if you love to share gifts, fair trade items are an amazing way to show that you care for both the person that you are sharing the gift with as well as the people who made them. These gifts for a hygge home are an extension of the people who made them, to the people who will cherish them for years to come. That, to me, encompasses the essence of hygge.
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Fair Trade Gift for a Hygge Home
1) Hygge with a Warm Throw Blanket
Hygge is often supplemented by the Danish notion of stemning or atmosphere. To hygge is to create a harmonious atmosphere, a feeling of warmth, a mood of contentment.
“The Book of Hygge” p. 24
A throw blanket represents the ultimate coziness to me. I could be curled up on a couch or sitting on the bed, just taking in life’s little moments. When the blanket isn’t in use, but tucked away in a basket or adorning a chair or couch, it provides its own type of beauty.
2) Marble & Wood Cutting Board
“The love that we put into preparing food changes it’s nature, and the way that food is served enhances the experience.”
“The Book of Hygge” p. 109
These Marble & Wood Cutting Boards are not only gorgeous, but also functional as a serving tool to share food prepared with love and with the intent to gather and enjoy each other’s company.
Hygge is an interaction between daily practice, everyday artifacts, and symbols of care.
“The Book of Hygge” p. 83
3) A Journal for Recording Memories
At mendes means to bring something back into our thoughts, to recall memories, atmosphere, and associations… A Dane will often reminisce about particularly enjoyable moments characterized by the warmth and pleasurable togetherness of hygge.
“The Book of Hygge” p. 126
A beautiful journal to write down memories, notes, and thoughts is a great way to live in the moment and revel in the memories that you and your loved ones create.
4) Teapot + Organic Fair Trade Tea
There is a mutual adjustment between people and things that takes place when we hygger, a recognition and settling that affords ease and peace of mind, like the way we nestle into an armchair at the end of a long day, move a table closer to the fire in a local pub, or wrap our hands around a favorite mug.
“The Book of Hygge” pp. 118-119
Tea is a relaxing drink for those who love to drink it. Offering and drinking tea together is a beautiful tradition around the world. Aside from fair trade teas, mugs are an important part of tea drinking moments. My absolute favorite mug is one that was gifted to me. My second favorite is one that I purchased as a souvenir while traveling. Being gifted my favorite mug reminds me of those that I love as I sip and appreciate the current moment I’m in.
Teapot
Teas & Honey
Mugs
- Speckled Tea Strainer Mug
- Snowy Dawn Tea Strainer Mug
- Pour over Coffee Maker (Fair Trade is for coffee lovers, too!)
- Matching Mug for the Pour Over Coffee Maker
It is in giving value to the ordinary things that we do, in seeing them as a significant part of the greater whole, that we learn to hygge.
“The Book of Hygge” p. 156
5) A Hygge Atmosphere with Candles
In trying to translate hygge, people point to candlelight as if it can illuminate the meaning of the word. The meaning and message of candlelight is the ultimate symbol of hygge, but it doesn’t contain it; it communicates and enhances it. Candles on a table symbolize that we have chosen to sit together, not simply to satiate our hunger, but to enjoy a hyggelig time.
“The Book of Hygge” p. 98
6) Cozy Gear for a Hygge Stay at Home
Using the context and stuff of our daily lives to create an atmosphere of comfort prepares the ground for moments unexpected intimacy and pleasure to flourish.
“The Book of Hygge” p. 84
While this particular combination of items may seem random, they are not. The silk scarf, that would be for my hair – silk fabric is a great way to protect my curly hair. It doesn’t take the moisture out of my hair (which breaks my hair) and protects my curls while I luxuriate and relax. The kimono would be worn post bubble bath. I’d warm the Fox Rice Pillow up to help relax my shoulders, and sip on some fair trade tea while watching my shows and minding my business. That, my friend, is some serious self-care.
7) Beautiful & Useful Woven Baskets
When we use a simple, handmade item, there is an interplay that takes place between the object and our own emotions and state of mind… we touch the life of the maker.
“The Book of Hygge” p. 159
A beautifully crafted item that is also useful – form and function both fulfilled! These items make life a little easier while also sparking joy.
The Comments
Kaylee
I love these ideas! I’m just starting to really learn about the hygge tradition and it’s such a great way to make the most of winter and learn to enjoy it more! And I love that these items are all sustainably and ethically made!
chelsea Duffy
I love the idea of enjoying the moments of Christmas rather than focusing on the things and that when things are purchased, they are purchased thoughtfully and with the intention of lasting. I bought my husband a hand-knitted wool blanket for his size last year. It is his favorite present that I have every given him. 🙂
Natasha
These are really lovely gift ideas! I love the sari throw – it’s beautiful.
Vladka
Great ideas! I love the marble and wood cutting board. That is something one uses every day!
Emily Maze
Wow! I love these ideas! Everything that you shared is so beautiful and functional, which is so important to me when choosing gifts! I also LOVE the layout of this blog post, the way that you could scroll through the pictures in each section. I’ve never seen a layout like this and this is the first time that I’ve ever really noticed that layout of a blogpost!
Tessa Zundel
The cutting boards are a real thing! There’s just nothing like wooden cutting boards. When you treat them well, they’re less inclined to retain germs and gunk than plastic, too. These are all lovely ideas!