Hygge on Valentine’s Day—Easy Ways to Create Cozy

In years past I’ve thrown a Galentine’s party around Valentine’s Day. Its been a fun thing to share with the wonderful women in my life as we linger over wine and cheese, sharing stories and life together.

With the pandemic raging this year that’s not an option, so instead, I’ve teamed up with some other lovely women of the blogging world to create a Valentine’s Day blog party. Each one of us is offering up some inspiration for creating a special little something for your loved ones—if you’re visiting from my friend Libbie’s blog, A Life Unfolding, welcome! Don’t her cocktails look delicious?

As for me, I want to chat about hygge around this holiday that celebrates love. I’ve talked about hygge before. It’s that Danish concept of creating cozy, warmth, belonging, and connection with other humans.

I’m in love with the concept. Creating spaces where folks feel comfortable and aesthetically nourished is my passion! And I love how the word hygge sums that up so well.

This post contains affiliate links that help to support this creative endeavor. Click here for more information.

So let’s jump into some simple ideas, and then we’ll round out with some images to maybe spark your own creativity.

Simple Ways to Add Hygge to Your Valentine’s Day

1. Keep it Simple

Creating cozy shouldn’t involve being stressed out trying to make the perfect thing happen. This is one I really have to remind myself of, cause I tend to bite off way more than I can chew! So whether you’re planning a special dinner for your person, or you’re creating your own homemade Valentine’s Day card, remind yourself that its the love and connection that matter, not the perfectly executed plan.

2. Use What You Have

In the spirit of keeping it simple, look around your home for ways to make a cozy moment. Maybe that’s a tray you use to serve a loved one breakfast in bed. Or it could be decorating your dining table with pink or red hued cloth napkins you already own. If you’ve been around here long you know that I’m a big fan of cloth napkins!

tip—when I’m purchasing cloth napkins I try to think about how versatile they are in using throughout the seasons and holidays of the year. For instance, napkins with red details work well at Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and the 4th of July. I’m all about items that have flexible usability.

3. Light Some Candles

Nothing says cozy quite like candles! I wrote a whole post about them last spring. I try to keep a variety of candles on hand all the time and use them often. Something about that flicker is warming to my soul.

I have a few favorite scented ones that I use for around-the-house placement. Plus these tapers are great for my candlesticks.

And I keep these un-scented votives on hand for the table—cause you don’t want scented candles to mess with the aroma and flavors of your food. I love how you can spread them around the tablescape and have no worries about candle wax dripping or the candle blocking the view of others you’re breaking bread with. After all, hygge is about connection—and eye contact is so important. Have you ever thought about what a gift it is to look into someone else’s eyes?

4. Pick up some flowers at your local grocery and make a bouquet

Not only do flowers offer immediate joy and life to a room, the act of putting together an arrangement can bring calm. For me, its a creative outlet that’s new with each bundle of posies I bring home. It’s a tactile experience that results in a visual encounter for all who share the space with you.

There’s something so warm and welcoming about a room with a bouquet of fresh-cut blooms. They cozy up a room almost instantly.

For tips on flower arranging check out this post where I give practical details for making lovely bouquets.

5. Turn on your favorite playlist

Music is transportive. I can’t imagine life without it. Pick a playlist that helps you relax and enjoy the beauty of melody and song.

6. Take Time to Savor

Breath deeply and be present in the moment. It’s so freaking hard to not be distracted in our media saturated world. So this one takes extra effort. Savor the time with your people. Ask questions and listen.