Hygge gifts may be a new holiday gift category for a lot of us who don’t have families from Denmark, but it’s something we could all use more of these days. While we can’t shop our way to inner peace right now, we have found a few holiday gifts to help us chill from the stress of the world, and find a little calm in the chaos.
Hygge is the Danish concept of coziness — a lifestyle all about finding comfort, pleasure, and warmth in simple things that soothe us. It’s hot tea and warm slippers. It’s sitting aside a glowing fire with friends and eating yummy food while sipping seasonal cocktails. It’s reading a great book under a soft blanket. And it’s a quiet afternoon spent walking — or snowshoeing — through the woods.
There’s no one right way to “hygge,” which is why it’s so nice to pull together ideas for hygge gifts that will help bring more coziness and comfort into the lives of people we love in a way that speaks to them.
Oh, and just in case you aren’t sure, it’s pronounced hoo-guh. Sounds a bit like “hug” because that’s what you’ll get when you gift one of these hygge-inspired gifts.
While some of our favorite gift recommendations are special indulgences that we wouldn’t normally buy for ourselves, these hygge gifts are those encouraging pleasurable coziness for its own sake. And if it works for the Danes, who have to get through long, cold winters while maintaining that Danish good-naturedness, it can work for all of us.
18 of our Favorite Hygge Gifts For People Who Can Use More Coziness
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A blanket to keep you warm, even when you’re outside
We know that as parents, we can’t always stay home and cuddle up. There are soccer practices and hockey games to attend, right? Our partner Mozy makes the game-changing (literally) wearable, weatherproof thermal wrap that keeps you 500% warmer than a stadium or camping blanket and seals in your own body heat using the principles of thermodynamics. Great gift for grandparents, too. ($49.50 and up with 50% discount for a limited time, Mozy)
A scented candle to bring warmth and peace
For the full hygge experience, shop a nicely poured soy candle like the ones from Three Buds Apothecary, a small, woman-run business out of New England that we’ve shared recently. They give off both flickering light and gorgeous scent. Liz is currently loving the long-lasting Nomad scented candle at home, but they actually sell a Hygge candle with a sandalwood base, and notes of jasmine and a hint of coconut. And that minimalist concrete vessel goes with any decor. ($45, Three Buds Apothecary)
Scented Candles Disguised as Books You’d Curl Up With
Another sweet gift is Barnes & Noble’s exclusive candle “library” set — they look like a set of books ready-made for a bookshelf in the cozy den, but they each house fragrant candles with warm winter scents of pine, pomegranate, and chestnut/sandalwood. Yum. ($45.99 at Barnes & Noble, but only $29.99 with an additional purchase for a limited time)
Or…warmth and peace without the flame
If you’re looking for a hygge gift for someone who’d like the lovely scent without the fire to attract kids and pets, Nest reed diffusers are exquisite. And will do the trick without a flame, in 19 different seats. (around $59, Amazon)
Comfy socks or slippers that make you feel good in more than one way
Warm feet are a must for me to get into the “pleasurable coziness” feel of hygge, and we’ve long loved Bombas socks and slippers for their amazing construction and soft materials. Seriously, there’s a reason they’re a cult favorite! Their cozy shop for women and cozy shop for men are each jam-packed with footwear that is perfect for any hygge gift you are putting together. Plus they give away a pair of socks to people in need, for every pair you purchase. That just makes me feel warm inside too. (Prices start around $16)
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Some new comfy, warm clothes
All of my “comfy clothes” can use refreshing, which makes for an awesome hygge gift for pretty much anyone these days. We’ve been a huge fan of socially-conscious ABLE fashion ever since Liz went to their Ethiopian HQ to meet the women making their leather bags and cozy scarves — since then, their Mamuye tote has become a best-selling classic. The brand has grown wildly since then, and their new sweater shop for fall and winter is the destination for perfect “uniform” for my new hygge lifestyle. (prices vary, ABLE)
A cozy merino sweater for the menfolk
Hygge is definitely not a woman’s-only concept, so let’s not forget the men in our lives who need a little cozy in their lives too. A stylish new hoodie like this one would be a step up from their favorite bang-around sweatshirt, but if you want to blow a guy’s socks off, check out this scrumptious waffle weave merino wool sweater from John Elliott. Ooh. (This one $398 at Nordstrom, but keep an eye out for discounts!)
A heated blanket to create a hygge wintertime lounging spot
If someone were to gift me a heated throw blanket from Pure Enrichment you might not see me leave the house until April. Made of Micromink and lined in sherpa, you can find a weighted blanket with heat for those who love the feeling of a heavy blanket, or unweighted for those who like a lighter throw. There’s even a heated shawl from Pure Enrichment which feels like a robe from one of those fancy hotel bathrooms with a towel warmer. I just ‘ll accept any, btw. (from $69 at Pure Enrichment, with free ship on order $50+)
A hygge gift for a hot cuppa (coffee)
If coffee is their jam, we’ve covered the best coffee makers and how to use them so you can find just the right style for your giftee. Me? I’d love to get the iconic one-pot Moka Express espresso maker from Bialetti for when I could use a jolt of caffeine but don’t want to make a big pot of coffee. ($32, Amazon)
A hygge gift for a tea lover
If you’re going to snuggle under the covers, it helps to have a hot cup of tea or cocoa to savor. If they don’t already have an electric kettle, this retro-style mini-electric kettle from SMEG makes a gorgeous and generous gift. Pretty in pink, it holds three cups of water, or enough to get me through the afternoon. ($149.95, Nordstrom)
Holiday Tea to Go With That Kettle
Of course coffees, teas, and cocoas make wonderful hygge gifts too. We’re all fans of the beautifully boxed, teas from Vahdam. Check out their classic collection of tea gift boxes including seasonal holiday boxes, often on sale. They’re well-priced, and you’re supporting an ethical small business. (Starting at $18 on sale, Vahdam Teas; great prices from the Vahdam storefront on Amazon as well if you’re shopping there anyway.)
(Screen-free) books to read
Another way to create a hygge home is to put down the phone or close the laptop and pick up a book. While we have reviewed tons of books on our site (for kids too!), to kick things off, check out the list of National Book Award winners (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org).
Or, we think gifting How to Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price (Amazon, B&N, Bookshop.org) could be an appropriate way to get someone into the hygge mindset. As long as they take it the right way.
A hygge gift to add light to the shorter days
Winter can feel bleak, so bring in some pretty lights to help keep spirits bright when it’s dark outside (again). Inexpensive indoor lights like this shiny star curtain of lights can add a shimmery glow to a room, and come highly rated. ($25.99 on sale, Amazon, plus an additional coupon on site for a limited time)
Related: How to decorate with tea lights: creating ambience, not a shrine
A roaring fire without the fireplace
A roaring fire is very hygge, but not everyone has a fireplace around which to gather, which is why I love the sleek indoor electric fireplaces from Electactic. They can either hang on the wall like a picture, or be recessed into a wall or cabinet. The remote lets you change the color of the flame, but it’s more than just a pretty picture: These units really do give off some heat to warm up a room, making it a great gift for yourself too. (from $184, Amazon)
The Outdoor Fire Pit That’s S’mores-Ready
You can also take the fire outside with a hygge gift like the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 fire pit. The top-rated modern design gives off a ton of heat making it perfect for family s’mores or safe outdoor entertaining with friends and neighbors. I really adore ours. In fact my favorite thing is that doesn’t blow black smoke in my direction every time I find a comfy seat. Marshmallows not included — but appreciated, I’m sure. ($279 on sale, Amaazon, with others available)
An oversized chair that envelops you in hygge
They may want hibernate all winter in this oversized Lovesac chair, which is like a grown-up’s version of the bean bag chair, only softer. Big enough for the kids and dog to join, if you’ll let them on. No doubt, this is a splurge with a capital S, but I’ve lounged in one of these before, and they are the thing of dreams. (“The Big One” is on sale for $1,320 at Lovesac, with smaller sizes available too)
A new screen-free game. Like Hygge: The Game
If you’re with friends or the kids, try a new board game or learn a great new card game. Stock up on some challenging–yet rewarding–puzzles to rotate through the winter. Even a modern deck of cards can be a thoughtful hygge gift if it’s as beautiful as this one fat B&N featuring mid-century modern chairs. Or, why not check out The Hygge Game which presents a series of fun, thought-provoking questions you can talk about all evening with friends — maybe even in front of that indoor fire, while holding that lovely cup of tea. ($20, Amazon)
