5 Scandinavian ideas to make winter more fun
Published on Fri Jun 26 2020 in Lifestyle
As the temperature begins to drop, you’re no doubt looking for ways to stay extra warm and cosy this winter. You may already be turning to old standbys – fuzzy blankets, wool-lined slippers and hot cups of tea – but might also be keen to start some new winter traditions. For these, there may be no better place to look for inspiration than Scandinavia.
The Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden know how to brighten the winter months. Even with little sunlight and long, cold nights, sometimes up to 19.5 hours of darkness, they’ve perfected the art of cheering up the chilliest part of the year! We Kiwis might be able to learn a thing or two from our friends in the far north when it comes to making winter more comfortable.
Here are five customs from Scandinavia to help you pass the winter months.
Hygge (hoo-gah)
This idea from Denmark was made for winter. Roughly meaning “feeling cosy and content through enjoying the simple things in life”, this is what everyone looks for on cold and colourless days. Danish people are so into hygge, that it might be why they’re one of the world’s happiest countries!
Practicing hygge is easy, and you probably do it already. But for the Danes, there are things that are especially hygge:
• Sitting next to a warm fire
• Bundling up in warm blankets, jumpers or thick socks
• Wearing other comfy clothes, like your hyggebusker – that pair of old track pants you’d never wear outside the house!
• Enjoying comfort foods and drinks, like your favourite biscuits with a cup of tea
Jolabokaflod (yo-la-bok-a-flot)
This tradition from Iceland is part of their Christmas celebrations, but it can still be fun in July. During Iceland’s “Yule book flood”, people give each other books on Christmas Eve, and then spend the evening reading them. Sounds like the perfect way to spend any winter’s day!
Curling up under a warm blanket with a good book is a wonderful way to pass the time (and very hygge too!). However, starting your own jolabokaflod could also be a way to catch up with family and friends. You might plan an afternoon tea, and ask everyone to bring a book they enjoyed to lend or swap with someone else in the group. Or, start a book club and give everyone a turn picking what you’ll read next.
Pikkujoulu (pik-ku-yo-lu)
While winter may not mean Christmas for us, Kiwis could create some “Christmas in July” fun by celebrating this tradition from Finland. Pikkujoulu, or “little Christmas”, refers to the silly season parties that Finns attend in the lead up to the actual holiday.
Hosting your own pikkujoulu is another way to connect with family and friends, while creating winter cheer. You might consider serving a “white Christmas” menu including things like:
• A full roast dinner, complete with oven-baked ham – a Finnish favourite
• Mulled wine, known as glögi in Finland
• Gingerbread biscuits or other sweet pastries
Fika (fee-ka)
In Sweden, coffee breaks are a big part of the workday. Fika literally means to have a coffee, but this custom is more about catching up with coworkers, sharing company news and bonding with others. It’s such a part of Swedish culture, that skipping it is a big no-no!
You don’t need to be working to enjoy a fika. You could share a cuppa and some goss with family, friends or neighbours. And, you don’t have to drink coffee either. Swedes are also known to enjoy tea, soft drink or a light snack during these catch ups. They even have a word for getting together for alcohol and gingerbread biscuits during Christmas – glöggfika.
Sauvakävely (sau-va-kä-ve-ly)
Known to the English speaking world as Nordic walking, sauvakävely began in Norway as a way to train for cross-country skiing in the summer. People walk with specially designed poles, similar to those used during skiing, as a way to stay fit year-round.
Though New Zealand has many beautiful ski destinations, snow sports might not be your cup of tea. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a bit of sauvakävely this winter. Walking is a great way to stay active, no matter the weather. A brisk 10 minute walk each day could help you stay fit and healthy in the coldest part of the year.
Trying out new traditions with your family and friends might brighten your winter days. Whether that’s one of these Scandinavian customs, or something from closer to home, creating connections and focusing on your own wellbeing is important all year long!
About Author: Momentum Life is a leading provider of Life insurance and Funeral insurance in New Zealand.
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