Includes bibliographical references and index.

Hygge is a word that has been sifted to the surface in recent years but it's not a new concept. The Danes have enjoyed hygge for hundreds of years. They are measured as one of the happiest nations in the world. But at the heart of Danish life and at the core of hygge, is a quality that is less easy to quantify contentment. In Denmark, hygge is a significant presence in the backdrop of everyday life something habitual and ritualistic. Hygge is a quality of presence, a feeling of togetherness, an experience of shelter and wellbeing. It's a practical, easy antidote to consumerism, a way of belonging to the moment and to each other. There's no secret formula or single recipe but there are simple ways to invite more hygge into our lives. This book is an introduction to hygge, a careful look at the way of life that underpins it and a comprehensive guide to all the elements that can come together to evoke it.