With the sun setting earlier and the temperatures beginning to drop as we leave Autumn and enter Winter, this is the perfect time to add some 'hygge' to your home. If the word hygge brings images of cosy fireplaces, warm blankets, hearty home cooked meals and the soft light of candles then you are right on track...

Hygge has become a buzzword of countless fashion, lifestyle and home magazines in recent years. But what exactly does hygge stand for, and how can you achieve it in your home? Let’s dive a little deeper into a word that means so much to so many people.

The word “hygge”, pronounced "hoo-ga”, originated from Denmark and is the cornerstone of their way of life. Although hygge doesn’t directly translate to English, it essentially means cosiness and comfort at home, like the glow of candlelight and curling up with a good book. Denmark is consistently ranked one of the happiest countries in the world, and with hygge a prominent fixture in a Danes daily life it’s clear to see why.

Hygge focuses on creating an intimate atmosphere where you feel calm and relaxed, enabling you to get ‘consciously cosy’. The warm glow from candles are an essential part of hygge, as they bring a warmth and cosiness unparalleled.

With the cold, dark, days both Autumn and Winter bring, the simplest act of lighting a candle with the inviting smells of Orange & Cinnamon filling the room can make a huge difference to your spirit. Meik Wiking, author of ‘The Little Book of Hygge’ refers to candles as “instant hygge”. Candles provide a soft, natural, light which makes us feel more peaceful and relaxed, than that of an electric light. In Denmark, candles are called ‘levende lys’ which translates in English to ‘living light’ - a perfect description to really capture the soft, natural ambiance that all candles bring.

You can create hygge in your home by burning candles more frequently during everyday moments. Light a candle in the morning whilst you’re getting ready for work, at a dinner party with friends or simply when you’re curled up on the sofa in the evening - for any occasion, big or small, welcome the warm glow of candlelight and add some hygge to your routine. Our refreshing scent of Bergamot & Nettle is perfect to fill your home with uplifting blends of herbs with a hint of spice.

Not only do candles leave the room aglow, but they also create that special noise of fýrgebræc, the old English word for the sound of crackling fire. Our Embers scented candles fill the room with the heartwarming scent of a true log fire at Christmas, the perfect scent to create the ambiance of hygge.

You can achieve hygge on your own, with family or with friends - it’s a feeling, an experience. Simply welcome that cosy and warm feeling in. Here are some easy steps to add some hygge to your home.

3 ways to add some hygge to your home this Winter

1. Blankets are key to keeping cosy. The softer the better and the more the merrier.
2. Invest in a good book and devote time to reading it. There is something so peaceful about getting lost in a good book and switching off from the world.
3. Light lots and lots of candles! The warm glow of a candle brings with it peace and serenity, perfect to capture the essence of hygge. Here at St Eval we offer a wide range of both scented and unscented candles, which are all handmade using sustainable production here on our farm in North Cornwall.

Our favourite scents this time of year are:

Orange & Cinnamon: Warm and tangy with a hint of spice. Perfect for the lead up to the festive season.

Embers:  Replicating the heartwarming scent of a logfire at Christmas.

Sandalwood: Let the warm musk and woody scent of Sandalwood help relax and unwind you.

Bergamot & Nettle: An uplifting herbal aroma with a hint of spice. This scent is both invigorating and refreshing.