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I came across the phrase “Hygge” a couple years ago and found a perfect definition of happiness for myself. Hygge is a Danish word that is loosely translated to “a cozy, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere that gives you a feeling of contentment or well-being”.
What I love about Hygge is that can mean something different for everyone. It is not just a cozy blanket or warm slippers. It could be a peaceful walk in nature or a cat sleeping on your lap or the first sip of coffee with your favorite flavored creamer. It might the sound of rain, searching for a book at the library or the smell of apple pie baking.
It is something that recharges you and gives you inner peace. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect gift for a Mom?
When my kids recently asked me what I want for Mother’s Day, I really thought about things that I wanted that would fit under my definition of Hygge. Perhaps you can find something that would be perfect for the Mom in your life.
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Houseplants are an easy way to bring the outdoors inside. I enjoy plants that are easy to care for like air plants or spider plants which look great in macrame hanging baskets. If you are looking for a flowering plant, African violets are pet safe and come in a variety of purple hues. As a foodie, I love to keep herbs on my window sill.
I think getting packages in the mail is very Hygge. Rarely have I received a box in the mail that I dreaded its contents, especially if it is a gift. Cratejoy has some awesome options for Hygge gifts. Some of my favorites are The Plant Club, Simple Loose Tea, Single Cup Club (for Keurigs) and The Jolly Hour.
Games are very Hygge and as a fan of family game night, I cannot overlook this category. If my kids want to get on my good side, they offer to play a game with me. Some of our favorites are Ticket to Ride, Quixx, Yahtzee, Uno, Linkee, Phase 10, Sequence and The Game of Life.
I am also a fan of one player games for the times when no one is interested in playing except me. Colorku is my go to puzzle/game (see my review here). I love the wooden board and colorful pieces! Katamino is another colorful, wooden puzzle game which is similar to Tetris. And if Mom is a fan of Escape Rooms, Box One by Neil Harris is a fun option for one player.
I recently stubbled on a class that was reposted on my local farmer’s market Facebook page for the lost art of canning. It was something my grandmother did every year with the tomatoes and beans from her garden and unfortunately, I never asked her to show me how it was done.
Social media is also where I found an Irish baking class, a seafood workshop and a cheese making class. You can also try your local bakeware stores or park districts for classes like these.
Gardening is very therapeutic and a great recharge. There is something about being out in the sun and the dirt and watching your hard work grow into something edible and beautiful. The Mom in your life might like a new toolset, funny gardening t-shirt or garden potting bench
Mom’s garden can also be a backyard oasis. It is her place to enjoy the birds, sit under the soft lights or enjoy a fire pit. It’s also a great place to watch family movies outdoors.
Books are an easy ideas fall back gift for my kids to get for me. While they have never picked out a book or magazine for me on their own, I love their gift cards for books. I have received ones from Half Priced Books (they have a local store here or you can go online at HPB.com), Barnes and Noble and Amazon. Magazines are usually arrive monthly so, like subscription boxes, they bring job every month.
A Roku allows you to watch multiple streaming services from any device that has an HDMI connection. Now, TV is usually a no-no for Hygge, but in some cases, I find they fit the Hygge definition. For me, I enjoy watching documentaries about different lifestyles, foods and history. I also love to watch the occasional chick flick and curl up on the couch in front of the fire which is very Hygge.
Most of the moms I know love a steaming cup of coffee or tea. Warm drinks are very Hygge and that means lots of gift ideas. Mugs, tea cups, teapots, books, journals, shirts, lap top stickers – the list can go on and on. You can also throw a few of these into a nice gift basket combined with the tea or coffee.
Nature is a great Hygge source for relaxation. Did you know there are over 2000 national recreation sites in the U.S.? If your Mom enjoys travel or even local hiking, an America the Beautiful Pass might be perfect for her. It is good for two people and is only $80. If your Mom is over 62, there is an annual pass of $20 or a lifetime pass of $80.
My daughter found a local shop that has wonderful scented soaps and decided to get some for my mom, who is admittedly hard to buy for. When I was a kid, the fancy soap was only for show, not for go. However, today’s Mom knows that Hygge is a lifestyle and not just something you pull out for the guests.
Candles are a staple in a Hygge home. Their soft light and gentle scents bring a calm aura to the room. My favorite candles are from Bath and Body Works, but you can find candles everywhere – even the Dollar Store.
The best gift I got myself in 2020 (pre Covid) was a One Line a Day journal. It was the year I turned 50 and the year my last child went to college. The One Line a Day journals give you a few lines for you to record short thoughts and events. This five year journal does not take a lot of commitment to write in and it is fun to look back on those thoughts as the next year comes around.
Everyone loves a cute charcuterie board. I love the beautiful handmade ones you can find on Etsy, but there are also a lot of charcuterie board kits that come with a set of cheese knives. If you are not sure what to serve on your charcuterie board, this is an awesome book that I just bought that has tons of ideas.
My daughter is a big foodie like her parents and got this mini skillet to go with her charcuterie board. She makes a delicious hot goat cheese dip in it and places it on the board. The presentation is so cute!
This is on my list and another great gift for the outdoor Mom. You don’t have to be an adventurous camper to enjoy a hammock. You can set it up in your back yard or take it to a local park and set it up between two trees. It is a great place for recharging while wrapped up in a giant hug.
When was the last time Mom went on an old fashioned picnic? Whether she enjoys the beach or the green grass, she will need a blanket, a cute basket and a mini cooler. This set comes with everything you need. You can finish off the gift idea with a gift card to local grocery store or take it upon yourself to fill the basket and cooler with food.
I love the idea of bringing nature into your home with a fish tank. You don’t have to go all out into a large, expensive tank filled with tropical fish. A small tank that fits on your kitchen counter and fresh water fish will still bring in the Hygge vibes you are looking for.
What do you think? Will any of these Hygge gift ideas work for your Mom?
