The holidays are here and you know what that means! Cue the twinkly lights, festive music, and parties that keep spirits soaring. But along with all that cheer comes stress: shopping chaos, hosting duties, year-end goals, and endless visitors. So how do you stay balanced? The answer: hygge, 100 percent. This genius Danish tradition is about cultivating peace, comfort, laughter, and everyday joy, even when life is hectic. At Swenson & Silacci, the go-to florist in Salinas, California, we lean on hygge all winter long, filling our homes (and yours!) with warmth and fresh blooms. Here are fun, flower-filled ways you can embrace it this season, too.

Savvy Steps to Create Hygge

Enjoy Mother Nature and Bring the Best of the Outside Indoors

When gray skies make you crave summer, hygge steps in like a cozy bestie. It shows you how to see winter differently: beautiful, crisp, and full of wonder. Try outdoor adventures, from sports to little nature walks, and notice how refreshing they feel. Appreciate the warmth of your layers, the beauty of light shifting throughout short days, and the chill energy of a scenic view. Then, recreate that vibe indoors. Fresh blossoms, evergreen accents, and natural details bring Mother Nature’s magic inside, literally transforming your space. Hygge proves winter isn’t boring; it’s simply underappreciated.

Turn Your Home Into a Comfortable, Cozy Environment

The secret to hygge? Comfort! Winter is made for staying in, so make your space irresistible. Step one: clean and declutter, because mess-free equals stress-free. Step two: add cozy layers everywhere — blankets, pillows, etc. — the kind you want to dive into. Step three: switch on soft, ambient lighting and style your space with accents in your favorite shades. Step four: fresh flowers. A bouquet adds legit sophistication, elevating your home into something special. Congrats, you’ve created a hygge haven that’s literally perfect.

Spend Time and Be Present With Loved Ones

Holiday cheer, the real kind, can’t be bought. Hygge happens when you swap stress for connection, whether that’s hiking mountain trails, battling it out over board games, or creating something beautiful together in a flower design class. Forget the pressure of gourmet meals and flawless everything. Put fun, laughter, and memory-making traditions up on that pedestal instead. Presence beats presents every time, and it’s those cozy, shared moments that light up the holidays. Hygge is about love in action, and trust, it’s way more fun than mall crowds.

Enjoy Festive Treats & Favorite Holiday Meals

Hygge thrives when you revel in life’s sweetest pleasures. For the holidays, that looks like cookies fresh from the oven, slices of apple pie, mugs of hot cider, and maybe one more serving of ham. Share the abundance by gifting gourmet goodies to your loved ones, or zhuzhing up their space with a cute yet sophisticated tablescape. High-end candles paired with seasonal blossoms create a centerpiece that’s chef’s kiss. Flowers turn meals into memories, inviting everyone to stay and chat just a little bit longer. That’s hygge: comfort, connection, and holiday glow.

Indulge in a Relaxing Hobby

Make this the season you prioritize you. Hygge gets real when you create your own joy, like spending hours on hobbies that spark happiness. Start that book (or finally finish it), craft a handmade gift, or bust out the puzzle you promised you’d tackle. Maybe you just want to sip cocoa and watch a classic show (that totally counts). Whatever feeds your soul, give it nourishment. Turn off distractions, get comfy, and let yourself drift into pure relaxation. Those small, quiet moments? Literally the best.

At Swenson & Silacci, we’re big on hygge and all the good energy it brings us. From cozy nights surrounded by flowers and loved ones to peaceful moments spent crafting, reading, or creating, there’s no wrong way to embrace the hygge lifestyle.