Guide to Hygge: Christmas Movie Night!

If you have picked up a single cooking or lifestyle magazine in the past two years you have seen the word Hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah"). It has become a defining characteristic of Danish culture and is something that I attempt to create every day especially during the Fall & Winter months. In its simplest translation it defines a quality of cosiness that creates contentment. Think: curled up on the couch under your softest blanket, in front of a crackling fireplace, with a mug of your favorite hot drink in hand. Ugh. Dreamy. I know what I'm doing after I finish writing this blog post!

This past weekend my darling friend Lily came over and we had what has become our annual tradition of watching "Love Actually" before Christmas. She and I can quote almost the entire thing, we belt along to the soundtrack, and we each have our favorite bits that we rewind to experience over and over again. We love this movie for its moments that make you cackle (um, hi Hugh Grant dancing around to the Pointer Sisters), openly weep (EMMA THOMPSON + JONI MITCHELL), and make you believe even if just for a moment that "love actually is all around." For me and Lily, after watching it for four years, this movie is hygge. Sidenote: if you haven't seen this movie STOP reading this and go watch it right now. Don't come back until you do.

Since we are both busy ladies, this tradition has become very dear to us. I wanted to make it a special night and I thought it would be a fun, cozy evening to share with you guys so that it might inspire you and your friend(s) to get together one night this holiday season and watch a movie that brings you absolute joy. (Might I suggest "Love Actually"? Seriously. It's perfect.)

The one thing I knew I wanted when planning our movie night was mulled wine. I love the taste of spices mixed with the warm, lush red wine. For me it is winter in a cup and reminds me of strolling through Christmas markets. I cheated a little bit and used Belvoir Fruit Farms Mulled Winter Punch as a base. It is a non-alcoholic mix with grape + elderberry + currant + orange juice with hints of clove + cinnamon + nutmeg. To be honest, it's really delicious heated up on its own so if you're not a drinker, not of age or just don't feel like wine it's the perfect alternative! To my mix I added cinnamon sticks, cloves, these beautiful candied oranges a family member had made, and a healthy dose of red wine.

Picked up these hot drink glasses from Crate +Barrel. Really affordable and the perfect size!

I knew we were going to want something to go along with our drinks to nibble on during the film and I thought what better to pair with the spices of the wine than a crisp gingerbread. I used a really simple recipe from "The Swedish Christmas Table" cookbook for ginger cookies. I added cinnamon to the recipe because I can't get enough of the stuff.

I used these two beautiful crinkle heart cookie cutters but to be completely transparent this recipe is NOT meant for slicing and they completely lost their shape in the oven. So I had a minor panic and then in what felt like my very own Great British Bake Off moment I recut the fresh-out-of-the-oven cookies with the cutters. It was very hot and I had to work very fast, but it all worked out! Mistakes happen in the kitchen and it does not mean you're a failure! Have to remind myself of this often.

Lily was also thinking about our snacking and so she brought the most delicious cheese from a Christmas market she had gone to that morning. I mean, come on this gal brought me artisanal cheese and was also thinking about snacks. She is such a keeper. I whipped up this little cheese board and I think it all came out quite lovely.

Along with food, I really wanted to make sure there was a cozy atmosphere. A hideaway of twinkling lights and fuzzy blankets. Our house has a very Scandinavian inspired room so I knew that was the place to set up camp for the evening. Danish design, birch candles, and a simple white Christmas tree all created the perfect Hygge hideaway. Scroll through for details of the room!

Skål to you and all your annual holiday friendship traditions!

What are your favorite holiday friend traditions? Comment below! I would love to know!