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Hygge Fair Trade Gift Guide
eco-friendly / Gift Guide

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.

Hygge Fair Trade Gift Guide

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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.

Click the photo to PIN & read more later!

Hygge Home Gift Guide

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.

  • Sacred Sari Throw
  • Earth Tones Kantha Throw

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.

  • Round Marble & Wood Cutting Board
  • Rectangle Fair Trade Marble & Wood Cutting Board
  • Pineapple Marble & Wood Cutting Board

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

  • hygge gift guide - fair trade journal made from recycled material
  • hygge gift guide - fair trade recycled journal
  • hygge gift guide - fair trade Indian block print journal

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.

  • Earth News Journal
  • Block Print Journal

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

  • Artisan Teapot

Teas & Honey

  • Organic Honey Sampler
  • Organic Tea Samplers
  • Herbal Tea of the Month Club (6 or 12 months)

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
  • Mandala Candle Holder
  • Vanilla Candle in Copper Candleholder

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.

  • Friendly Fox Rice Pillow
  • Kimono Bathrobe
  • Raindrops Silk Scarf

7) Beautiful & Useful Woven Baskets

  • hygge gift guide - fair trade home decor bread basket
  • hygge gift guide - fair trade home decor basket
  • hygge gift guide - fair trade home decor woven hamper
  • hygge gift guide - fair trade home decor woven basket

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.

  • Medallion Bread Basket
  • Simplicity Basket
  • Calm Mood Hamper Basket

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The Comments

  • Kaylee
    November 19, 2019

    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!

    Reply
  • chelsea Duffy
    November 20, 2019

    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. 🙂

    Reply
  • Natasha
    November 20, 2019

    These are really lovely gift ideas! I love the sari throw – it’s beautiful.

    Reply
  • Vladka
    November 20, 2019

    Great ideas! I love the marble and wood cutting board. That is something one uses every day!

    Reply
  • Emily Maze
    November 24, 2019

    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!

    Reply
  • Tessa Zundel
    November 26, 2019

    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!

    Reply

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Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
oldworldnew
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Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
2 weeks ago
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Happy Earth Day 🌍🫶🏾🌱

I used to think “let me just get 5k followers.. 10k followers… one day I’ll have 20k followers…” to help people live more sustainably with the blog posts and social media posts I created. 10+ years of that led to burnout. And it never felt the same as when my friends and family started to live a little more sustainably because of something they learned from me. 

I hope you’ll be the inspiration for someone in your life to be a little bit more sustainable today. It’s such a good feeling to see the people closest to you thrift more, consume less, and think differently — more sustainably — about how we treat our world. 

Don’t push it, just live it. 

Happy Earth Day 🌍🫶🏾🌱
oldworldnew
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Happy Earth Day 🌍🫶🏾🌱 I used to think “let me just get 5k followers.. 10k followers… one day I’ll have 20k followers…” to help people live more sustainably with the blog posts and social media posts I created. 10+ years of that led to burnout. And it never felt the same as when my friends and family started to live a little more sustainably because of something they learned from me. I hope you’ll be the inspiration for someone in your life to be a little bit more sustainable today. It’s such a good feeling to see the people closest to you thrift more, consume less, and think differently — more sustainably — about how we treat our world. Don’t push it, just live it. Happy Earth Day 🌍🫶🏾🌱
4 weeks ago
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🥶❌🌱 Not my plant babies! 

It’s been cold in Texas the past few days, so I acted accordingly to protect my little backyard garden that’s barely underway. 

Using thrifted sheets (once back drops in my “thrift fashionista style content” days lol) and thrifted clothes pins (I knew they would come in handy! 😆🙌🏾), as well as some old jugs, bottles, containers, and twigs. Hopefully they help keep the plants from getting too cold to survive.
oldworldnew
oldworldnew
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🥶❌🌱 Not my plant babies! It’s been cold in Texas the past few days, so I acted accordingly to protect my little backyard garden that’s barely underway. Using thrifted sheets (once back drops in my “thrift fashionista style content” days lol) and thrifted clothes pins (I knew they would come in handy! 😆🙌🏾), as well as some old jugs, bottles, containers, and twigs. Hopefully they help keep the plants from getting too cold to survive.
1 month ago
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3/5
Finally got a migrating bird LIGHTS OUT sign 🤩

Turn off your lights (outdoor & indoor) to limit light pollution and to protect migrating birds 🫶🏾🕊️

TURN ‘EM OFF! (in my Teddy Pendergrass voice 😂)

#lightsouttexas #lightsout #lightpollution #migratorybirds
oldworldnew
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Finally got a migrating bird LIGHTS OUT sign 🤩 Turn off your lights (outdoor & indoor) to limit light pollution and to protect migrating birds 🫶🏾🕊️ TURN ‘EM OFF! (in my Teddy Pendergrass voice 😂) #lightsouttexas #lightsout #lightpollution #migratorybirds
2 months ago
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Do you reuse gift wrap?

Here are some things that I’ve thrifted to reuse as gift wrap each holiday season:

⭐️ tablecloths
⭐️ napkins & handkerchiefs (matching napkins sewn together can be used for larger gifts)
⭐️ Scarves (like from @wrappr)
⭐️ Cloth bags (like the ones your sheet sets come in)
⭐️ Pillowcases
⭐️ Curtains (can be used as gift wrap or to cover larger gifts like bikes or toy kitchens)

As long as you can fold the fabric into a square before wrapping the gift, it works well when using the furoshiki style wrapping technique. 

Comment WRAP for a few tips and tricks to wrap gifts in cloth fabric.
oldworldnew
oldworldnew
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Do you reuse gift wrap? Here are some things that I’ve thrifted to reuse as gift wrap each holiday season: ⭐️ tablecloths ⭐️ napkins & handkerchiefs (matching napkins sewn together can be used for larger gifts) ⭐️ Scarves (like from @wrappr) ⭐️ Cloth bags (like the ones your sheet sets come in) ⭐️ Pillowcases ⭐️ Curtains (can be used as gift wrap or to cover larger gifts like bikes or toy kitchens) As long as you can fold the fabric into a square before wrapping the gift, it works well when using the furoshiki style wrapping technique. Comment WRAP for a few tips and tricks to wrap gifts in cloth fabric.
5 months ago
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