Are you familiar with “hygge?” The Danish word roughly translates to “warm coziness,” with an emphasis on “enjoying the little things” like comfy clothes, warm socks, blankets, and steamy mugs of tea.
Pro tip: It’s pronounced “hoo-gah.”
Keeping that in mind, here are 15 ways to practice hygge locally this year:
1. Brew a cup of tea. You can grab some tea at Sower — the St. Elmo shop itself is also a peaceful spot filled with home goods, art, pottery, and books.
2. Take a relaxing drive through the mountains. We love the nearby Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway with 70 miles of rolling valleys lined with tree-covered mountains.
3. Relax with a warm bath. Pick up some bath bombs or soap from Good Fortune Soap & Spa for a therapeutic experience.
4. Light a candle. We love the scents from The Rustic House.
5. Add some greenery to your space. Pick out a house plant at Plant Candy Collective, Signal Mountain Nursery, or The Barn Nursery.
6. Cook up a bowl of your favorite soup. You can pick up some local ingredients from area farmers at a local farmers market.
7. Get outside and connect with nature and local wildlife. Take a guided class with Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center to learn more about Chattanooga’s native species.
8. Curl up with a blanket and a good book. Stop by The Book & Cover, Winder Binder, or Rêve Coffee and Books to pick up your next read. Need some local recs? Check out our list of books written by authors with ties to Chattanooga.
9. Take a nap. Stop by Yves Delorme in Warehouse Row for all your bedding needs.
10. Enjoy a cozy dinner and drinks. We suggest stopping by Rosecomb Bar or Boccaccia for a cozy, candlelit evening.
11. Eat a pastry with your morning coffee. Make a stop by Niedlov’s Bakery & Cafe to pick up a bite — we love the morning buns and the blackberry lemon lavender scones.
12. Take a slow stroll through an art museum. Take in each piece of art at the Hunter Museum of American Art — we recommend seeing “The Long View” exhibit that is currently on display.
13. Pick up a new hobby that brings you joy. Check out some of the classes available at The Chattery for a hobby that might interest you.
14. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. Head over to The Hot Chocolatier and choose from one of the many hot chocolate flavors the spot offers (we love the Mexican hot chocolate with cinnamon).
15. Have a picnic. Take advantage of the fresh air and enjoy your meal outside. Don’t want to prepare your picnic yourself? Have the folks over at Scenic City Picnics take care of the preparation for you.
