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Cozy Christmas Nights - Hygge Ideas To Warm Your Soul
Snuggle into the coziest Christmas ever, with these simple, creative ideas that will warm your heart and satisfy your soul.
Why you need a cozy Christmas
It goes without saying that the Christmas season can often go by in a flurry. One minute you're anticipating the up-coming holidays and looking forward to all the "comfort and joy" this season is supposed to bring, and the next minute you're looking at the remnants of opened gifts scattered all over the living room floor, and wondering what to do with the turkey carcass sitting on the kitchen counter.
Hustle and Bustle is not the same thing as frantic and chaotic,
and it's important not to confuse the this. While I despise the frantic, crazy, overwhelming, freaking out kind of busy where you don't even have time to stop and enjoy the festivities because you're too busy trying to make everything perfect, I actually love the hustle and bustle of Christmas parties and concerts and Santa Clause parades and cookie baking and gift shopping, because those things are fun!
A Hygge Christmas
But even still, while I really do enjoy all that hustle and bustle stuff, what I really, REALLY love best, are the quiet, hygge style evenings spent at home where everything slows down and I can truly embrace the gentle peace that Christmas is actually about.
If, like me, Christmas is your jam and you'd like to be a
part of a Cozy Christmas Community, I'd love to invite you
to join our brand new Cozy Christmas group on Facebook
where you can share and glean inspiration for a truly hygge Christmas!
How To Have A Cozy Christmas
Set the Stage.
While there isn't a wrong way to decorate for Christmas, if you're looking to create a cozy Christmas atmosphere, pay attention to the way you decorate your home. My personal style leans toward natural and neutral which is more in keeping with traditional hygge ambiance BUT if your preference happens to be "merry and bright" go all out! Cozy, hygge style is perfectly suited to all color choices, especially at Christmas!
In addition to your Christmas decor, be sure to incorporate cozy items like;
luxurious blankets and throws at the ready in baskets
pillows and cushions to hygge up your sofa
candles and soft lighting to lend to a subdued atmosphere
sheepskin rugs are the ultimate in hygge ambiance
Cue the Christmas Crooners.
Look. I pretty much love all Christmas music, but when I'm really in the mood for a cozy evening, nothing hits the mark like the old fashioned Christmas crooners. Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, and Ella Fitzgerald are perfect examples. And as I mentioned in my
24 Ideas For a Nostalgic Christmas post, if you really want to up your game in the music department, I'd highly encourage you to invest in an old style vinyl record player and few vintage records. There is really nothing like vinyl records playing the background for the cozy music vibes.
Scents Make Sense for a Cozy Evening.
Of all the senses, the sense of smell is most closely tied to memory so it makes sense that it would lend to the ambiance of a cozy Christmas evening. You could use a diffuser with your favorite Christmas scent, a scented candle, or you could whip up a batch of cookies for the smell and the taste! (These Whipped Toblerone Shortbread cookies are a staple on my Christmas cookie plate and they are a snap to whip up!)
Get Your Outside Game On.
I know. This doesn't sound at all cozy. But I have to tell you, nothing makes for a more cozy feeling than coming in from the cold outdoors. Curling up on your sofa with a warm blanket and cup of hot cocoa is wonderful anytime but you have to admit, it's extra special when you've just come back inside from an outdoor adventure. Going for a brisk walk, or ice-skating, or even building a snowman is the perfect way to build up to a cozy evening inside.
A Puzzling Situation.
This is just such a lovely way to enjoy a cozy evening. Putting together a puzzle causes us to slow down and really be present in the moment, especially during such a busy time of the year. And there are so many beautifully themed Christmas puzzles to choose from. I love seeing the scene come together as I continue to build on the different pieces. I will warn you though, puzzling can be slightly addicting. There are many times that I've intended to spend just a few more minutes working on a puzzle, only to look up and find that it's 2:00 iin the morning!
Putting Pen to Paper.
I once heard it said that, people don't read your handwriting, they hear it. And I believe that's so true. When I read a recipe that my mom has written out for me, I can actually hear her voice in my head. It's really quite a remarkable thing! And while I realize that it's so much easier to type out a Christmas letter and then send a mass email to everyone on your list, a hand-written letter or card, personalized to the individual recipient is just so much more wonderful. It does take a little extra time but it's a beautiful way to spend a few cozy evenings at home.
Brand New Baking.
I love baking sweet treats over the Christmas holidays, but I kind of have the tendency to stick to my tried and true favorites. And while there's something to be said for that, it's really nice to try new recipes as well. My personal struggle with this is that I usually end up putting too many things on my plate all at one time, and trying a new recipe can often make me feel stressed out. I've found though, that if I schedule in an evening where the only thing on my plate is this new recipe, it's so much more enjoyable.
Creative Creations.
We're creative beings. While many of us may not be skilled sewers, knitters, crafters, or bakers, we can all create something. Even if it's a simple as making and painting salt dough ornaments. I have very fond childhood memories of sitting around my mom's kitchen table with my mom and dad, my brothers and my Uncle Andy, making salt dough ornaments for our tree. Here's a link to a super sweet and simple recipe!
What's Your Story?
Write out a favorite childhood Christmas memory to share with a child. It doesn't have to be long and it doesn't need to be fancy. It's just so special to go back in time and write a story from a favorite memory you have.
Book Binge.
This one is almost a no-brainer for a cozy Christmas evening but sometimes, we can get so busy with things that we forget about reading. Movies are fine and all but truly, there's nothing like reading a wonderful Christmas book to get you out of your own headspace and involved in a story that you KNOW will have a happy ending!
Nostalgic Nights.
This isn't the same as watching T.V. or movies, but! to reference the well-known, and well-loved Christmas Vacation movie;
remember that scene where Clark gets locked in the attic while the whole family goes into town to do some Christmas shopping? He ends up finding his old film projector and spends his entire day watching Christmases past. It's such a beautiful, reflective moment in an otherwise silly movie and every time I see it, it gives me all the cozy vibes. While most of us don't have those vintage style movie reels, we do probably have videos (or parents that still have them) on VHS tapes. It would make for such a wonderful, cozy evening to rewatch family memories from our own past.
Christmas can have the tendency to fly by in a flash. Being intentional about slowing down and curating a cozy, welcoming atmosphere in your home will help you make the most of the holiday season this year.
Faith is salted and peppered through everything at Christmas. And I love at least one night by the Christmas tree to sing and feel the quiet holiness of that time that’s set apart to celebrate love, friendship, and God’s gift of the Christ child. —Amy Grant.
Jesus is the Reason for the Season.
And don't forget the real meaning of Christmas. This Advent Calendar has 24 practical and fun activities that will help you embrace the joy of the season and allow Jesus to move deeper into your heart.
Click here for the post with access to the link.
Wishing you a warm and cozy Christmas!
Many blessings to you and yours!
Love, Melinda
