Are you familiar with hygge? The Danish word (pronounced “hoo-gah”) roughly translates to “warm coziness.” With an emphasis on “enjoying the little things” — like comfy clothes, warm socks, blankets, and steamy mugs of tea — it’s easy to see its appeal.
Keeping that in mind, here are 15 ways to practice hygge locally this year:
1. Revel in the lush wonders of Nashville’s indoor plant shops. And bring some home while you’re at it.
2. Light a warm and cozy candle. Ranger Station’s “Stick Season” (yes, like Noah Kahan’s album) smells like “vermont pine, campfire whiskey, and your favorite flannel.”
3. Pamper, recharge, and let off some steam with a sauna day.
4. Discover a new hobby (and maybe strike up a few new friendships) at community meet-ups, book clubs, and networking events.
5. Fuel up for winter with savory soups at Woodlands, King Market, and Ty’s Soups and Sandwiches.
6. Enjoy a hot beverage. We love a cup of chai from The Horn, and if you’re already there, grab some fresh sambusas.
7. Breathe in fresh air at a local park. If you need to warm up, step inside the nature center at Warner Parks or Shelby Bottoms.
8. Take a nap. Hit up Bella Linea in Green Hills for all your bedding needs.
9. Share your love with a furry friend by volunteering at an animal shelter, like Nashville Humane Association and Metro Animal Care and Control.
10. Have a picnic. And if you don’t want to prepare it yourself, may we suggest picking up lunch from one of these spots?
11. Book a staycation (and pack extra blankets).
12. Take a nice hot bath. Make it even better by tossing in a fragrant, therapeutic bath bomb from The Bubblery Nashville.
13. Get an art fix. Whether you want to saunter around the Frist Art Museum or take in exhibits on display at the Fisk University Galleries or Cheekwood, art is a powerful way to experience the slow-paced comfort of hygge.
14. Discover pre-loved goods at a used bookstore or record shop. You never know what you’ll find at McKAY’s or Phonoluxe.
15. If you’re not already, subscribe to your favorite newsletter (that’s us) — you never know what hygge activities might pop up in your inbox.
