My hygge gift guide is filled with gifts that embrace being thoughtful and cozy.
The holiday time from Thanksgiving to New Years is always filled with so much joy; they don’t call it the most wonderful time of the year for nothing, right?! With everyone staying home and parties/gatherings on hold, things may look different for us all this year, but I’m a firm believer that we can still make it special. In fact, as with all things in life, I think with the right perspective it can be magical. A little of that magic can no doubt be found in thoughtful, meaningful gifts and, hence, a hygge gift guide!
2020 has been a year of important reminders, and one of those is to slow down a bit more and take the time to enjoy life’s everyday moments. For me personally, it’s been a year of embracing hygge to the core.
What’s hygge, you ask?
Hygge is something the Danish practice in their daily lives that essentially means to be fully present. It’s a word that encapsulates that warm, cozy feeling when you’re happy and at peace with where you’re at and those surrounding you. That’s not to say that things are perfect, mind you. It’s just that you’re choosing to embrace the wonder in the little moments found every day. Hygge is a big reason why the Danish have been named the “Happiest People In The World” for years, and it’s something that even before 2020, my family and I have been trying to focus embracing more in our personal lives. (If you want to learn more, be sure to swing by this post all about hygge!)
2020: The year of being home & embracing hygge
“Home” has absolutely taken on a new meaning for me this year. It’s my family’s haven, safety, and happy place. It’s where we’ve had countless cozy nights by the fire, early mornings sipping coffee while listening to music, or dance parties just because. Which is why I can’t think of a better way to kick off the shopping season than to create a gift guide focused on the life notion that we all could use a heck of a lot more of in today’s world: Hygge.
I’ve searched the internet and have curated top picks for gifts that embrace togetherness and thoughtfulness. Items that make your home uniquely yours and help to embrace cozy. Whether you’re shopping for your partner, parents, children, friend – or heck, even yourself – there’s something here everyone on your list. Many of the below picks are from businesses that are sustainably-focused, and there’s also features from BIPOC or women owned small shops, so you can also feel good about helping to use your money to drive beneficial impact. Cheers!
The Ultimate Hygge Gift Guide
The Cowrie Abundance Necklace
Did you know that the cowrie was once used as a form of currency in West Africa? The shell is now a symbol of abundance and prosperity. Which is why the Cowrie Abundance Necklace is the perfect gift to give to someone to remind them they’re abundant in priceless things, like love, friendship or laughter.
It’s made with conflict-free gold, is handcrafted with precious metals using the traditional lost-wax casting technique, and is made by one the of Etsy 2020 Design Finalists! A cool piece and story, all around. Be sure to swing by the Omi Woods collection to check out her other pieces – there are some really great layering necklaces! (How cool is the Cleopatra Necklace?!)
Cross Stitch Kit
Okay, okay. So I know that cross stitching has a reputation for being something only grandmas embrace. But I think we should all take a page from their book because it just so happens to be a hobby that’s creative, fun, and thoughtful!
I personally would love to get a kit and dive into a stitch of my own, especially if it’s a fun and modern pattern. Wouldn’t this make a really cool gift, too?! Here are a few patterns + kits that caught my eye: Ruth Bader Ginsburg + Floral Embroidery Kit + “Yall Gonna Make Me Lose My Mind” (HA! Perfect for a mom!) + “Smash The Patriarchy”
Our Place Glasses
The sustainable, stackable drinking glasses that you didn’t know you needed! They’re the perfect size, shape, and weight for everything from iced coffee, wine, and even ice cream. Plus, they’re made from a portion of recycled glass and natural sand, and are also naturally dyed.
Our Place Always Pan
*WOW* This pan is a game-changer. Basically, the Always Pan is a 8-in-1 pan that is sustainable. This single pan can be a fry pan, saute pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, non-stick pan, spatula, and spoon rest. The non-toxic, nonstick ceramic coating is made without potentially toxic materials like PFOAs, PTFEs, other PFAs, lead, cadmium, toxic metals, and nanoparticles. Plus, their packaging is 100% free of plastics, is fully recyclable and biodegradable, and innovatively designed to eliminate the need for a shipper box. AND it’s a BIPOC-owned business.
I think we can all agree this is a gift to buy now! (And it just so happens to be marked down from $145 to $95 right now!)
Watercolor Kit for Beginners
The perfect kit for beginners, because it comes with all you need to get kick started with watercoloring including the paints, blank paper, and instruction booklet. Even if someone isn’t a bit painter currently, who wouldn’t love to sit down and learn?!
Not All Classrooms Have Four Walls Tote
How adorable is this reusable tote?! I also love that it so perfectly leans into how 2020 played out for many of us, especially families who had school closed down. This is the perfect stocking stuffer or gift for someone who loves to (in a normal world!) visit the farmer’s market or beach. It comes in an array of colors and sizes, too!
The Hygge Game
It wouldn’t be a hygge gift guide without this! I’m such a sucker for a game night, especially if it involves igniting great conversation! This is the perfect game for just that — a card game that has over 300 fun & thoughtful questions. Perfectly paired by the fire, right?!
Other great card games: Show Me The Monet + Vertellis (We own this one and it’s a great conversation starter!) + A beautiful chess game that doubles as decor.
National Parks Puzzle
It doesn’t get more hygge than a 1,000 piece puzzle! I love this Vintage National Park one — it reminds me of a ton of stamps collected into one big image. When my family goes to Lake Michigan over the summer, you can usually find a puzzle being done, and it’s a fun activity for the whole group to participate in. Puzzles are relaxing, ideal for gathering, and always .
Here are a few other fun puzzles to consider: Rifle Paper Co “Maps” + Heroic Women Puzzle + Women’s March Puzzle.
Handmade Woven Basket
A woven basket is a staple in any home — use it to hold fruit, as decoration, or even as a catch-all. This one is handmade from natural grasses, this bowl is ideal for holding keys, jewelry, or fruit, and fits seamlessly into any space with its neutral tones and subtle color blocking. (I also love the white + natural option!) Plus, Every purchase empowers weavers at WomenCraft in Tanzania!
Ugg Plush Throw Blanket
Trust me when I say that the Ugg Plush Throw Blanket is the most comfortable blanket ever. It’s crazy soft and perfect for cuddling. We have this blanket in white, but it’s also available in other beautiful colors such as slate or sand!
Yamaha Acoustic Guitar
There’s no better time than now to pick up a new hobby! Learning the guitar is something that’s on many of our lists of “One day I’ll…” so why not gift this musically-focused gift this season?! What I love about this is that it’s something the whole family can enjoy together! This Yamaha Acoustic Guitar has great reviews and comes with guitar essentials to get kick-started the right way.
L’eau Sezane Perfume
L’Eau Sézane is the fragrance of fresh air, and is a soft and sparkling scent created alongside master perfumer Jérôme Di Marino. This feminine perfume is a marriage of citrus fruits with the lightness of a floral bouquet. It’s perfect for the woman in your life who is also dreaming of when she can travel to Paris again. (Plus, Sezane has amazing sustainability policies – they’re one of my favorite brands! Check out this post if you want to learn more about them + get more gift ideas for women.)
Rattan Lidded Basket
Another perfect catch-all! Use these adorable, handmade rattan baskets for everything from a planter, to storing cosmetics. They make amazing decor, too! Each purchase empowers artisan women at MANAVA in Cambodia.
Lightweight Fringe Towel
We have a host of cotton towels at home, and I can’t tell you how much we love them! They’re so versatile. From a bath towel or beach cover up, to a picnic blanket, we love using these! This fringe towel option is made from soft cotton and comes in a ton of colors. Each purchase empowers artisans in India earning fair wages and preserving generations of traditional techniques that are often otherwise at risk of disappearing.
Fresh, Handmade Eucalyptus Wreath
Isn’t this so beautiful?! It’s handmade, and the perfect gift to add some charm to the home. I can see this anywhere from the kitchen to a front door. Eucalyptus is such a versatile plant, too. It is festive and yet can’t you see this being used far beyond the holidays?!
Coffee Table Books
In my humble opinion, there’s no gift like great coffee table books! I love that they can be used as conversation starters, decor, and as eye candy for photo lovers. They always are focused on interesting, content too! We have the Gray Malin “Beaches” book displayed in our bedroom and it’s beautiful. Be sure to swing by this section of Shopbop if you’re looking for more options — I always love their selections!
Voluspa Candles
Voluspa has some of my all time favorite candles! These smell so good, and freshen up a room. They look beautiful too – their glass holders are great for reusing after you’ve burned through the candle.
Akola DIY Rainbow Necklace Kit
The Akola DIY Rainbow Necklace Kit is ideal for making necklaces, only ones that are incredibly unique! I love the beads found in this kit — they’re so much more elevated than a standard bead kit you’d find.
Akola is a line of jewelry that provides life-changing job opportunities for women in the city of Jinja, Uganda. Each one-of-a-kind piece is crafted by hand with upcycled and intentionally sourced materials – think raffia from palm leaves and reclaimed horn – that reflect the lush landscapes of their East African surroundings.
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What other gift suggestions do you have for a hygge gift guide? Are there things for keeping cozy at home that you’re loving lately? Leave them in the comments below – I know all readers would love to shop your suggestions also!
2 comments
I need to get back into my artsy side – that watercolor kit would be a great idea! I used to love drawing/painting and was fairly good at it and then life just made me stop. Too busy! This would be a good way to relax though!
I totally agree! And I love that it comes with an instruction booklet so you can review the basics, too. I think that kit is definitely an item I’d buy “One for them, one for me” – Ha!