Spring Hygge: How to find coziness in the warmer months

Spring hygge is in the air! As a Midwest girl, never did I imagine I would be sitting down to write on a late January Saturday morning and look out my window to see green grass, blue skies, and a thermometer that reads 75 degrees.

Such is the life in the Coastal Bend. Rather than waiting until March, this is the time of year South Texas residents start preparing for spring! Last March, I made plans to start a small garden and was disappointed to learn that I had already missed the planting season. This year I’m getting a jump start on finding ways to add a little hygge in our lives during the spring and summer seasons.

What is Hygge?

Often associated with the fall and winter, hygge (pronounced hyoo-guh) is a Danish word that captures the essence of finding coziness and contentment in the little, everyday moments of life. In his book, The Little Book of Hygge, author Meik Wiking explains, “Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. It is about being with people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we’re safe, that we are shielded from the world and allow ourselves to let our guard down.”

In colder months, we may describe a fireplace, a chunky knit blanket, woolen socks, a cup of hot cocoa, and a good book as hygge. But what about the warmer months? How can we cultivate spring hygge?

How to Add Spring Hygge To Your Life

Spring is the time when most people begin to venture out from their cozy cocoons to the bright open sky, fresh air, and scent of lilacs and earth. We open the windows and work hard to eradicate the dust particles that glitter in a warm sunbeam. As we transition from an introverted state of mind to a more open and extroverted attitude, there are a few things we may do to create a cozy yet fresh feeling.

Fresh Flowers

Flowers are ubiquitous in springtime. There’s nothing homier this time of year than a vase filled with fresh-cut flowers on the counter or kitchen table—or on every clear surface for that matter!

Light Blankets

As the temperature rises and the AC turns on, there is still a need for a soft blanket to cuddle up with on the sofa. For spring, swap your heavier throws with some made of lighter fabrics such as cotton or linen.

Spring Lighting

Lighting is a critical aspect of hygge—any time of the year. Spring hygge lighting may come in the form of backyard market lights, an outdoor fire pit, citronella candles, or a charming beeswax candlestick that is enchantingly dripping wax next to a spring bouquet and linen tea napkin.

Lawn Games

Another major part of spring hygge is cultivating quality time with loved ones. What better way to do this than by starting a game or two outside? Enjoy the fun, laughter and company while you soak up the sunshine, listen to some upbeat tunes, and smell the aroma of meat on the grill. Here’s a list of popular backyard (or beach) games you may enjoy:

• Badminton/Volleyball
• Cornhole
• Bean Bag Toss
• Giant Jenga, Tick-Tac-Toe or Lawn Dice
• Yard Bowling
• Horse Shoes (real or rubber)
• Ring Toss
• Croquet
• PipFall
• Ladder Ball / Ladder Golf
• Bocce
• Spike Ball
• Kan Jam
• Kubb Viking Clash Toss Game
• Lawn Darts

Outdoor Movie Night

Bring family movie night outside! Get a projector, hang up a sheet, and toss an assortment of chairs, blankets, and floor pillows on the ground. If you want to be extra cutesy, add a couple of tree stumps to hold your popcorn and beverages as you relax and enjoy a movie under the stars.

Iced Beverages

Speaking of beverages, add some spring hygge to your cup with a little bit of ice. Instead of mugs of mulled cider or hot chocolate, think mason jars of lemonade or iced tea. Add some frozen fruit and fresh herbs from the garden to a glass of sparkling water or wine.

Pretty Picnics

Pack up a quilt and picnic basket filled with your favorite crusty bread, cheese and wine, and head to a park or beach for a romantic meal for two…or four. Make your day trip even more hygge by including a bike ride.

Kitchen Gardens

Gardening is another quintessential, quaint springtime activity. Nothing may be more hygge than picking an assortment of vegetables from your backyard garden one afternoon and then using them in a delicious, al-fresco dinner for your family and friends that night, surrounded by fresh flowers, light linens, candles and market lights.

Other spring hygge ideas include anything outdoors: camping, hiking, cooking over a bonfire, water sports, backyard BBQs, playing board games outside, reading outside on a hammock, fishing, and biking.

How do you hygge in the spring? Here are some more spring activities in Corpus Christi.