LET’S HYGGE DECEMBER 2024

Let's hygge Lindbjerg Graphic Journal Blog

[definition of hygge]

a quality of cosiness and comfortable living that engenders a feeling
of contentment and well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).

Add a little hygge to each month

I hope this greeting finds you well and in good spirits. Creating these monthly journals is pure balm for my soul. My wish is that they offer you a moment of pause and inspiration. Thank you for reading along, yet another year!

Coming back from my recent trip to Denmark has left me longing for Christmas. This weekend, the Christmas tree went up, and I thoroughly enjoyed decorating it. Every ornament tells a story, and it took me on a beautiful journey down memory lane. The old Santa Claus has found his place among the branches (see image above). He was hand-sewn by my grandmother and used to sit in their Christmas tree, then my parents’, and now he has made his way to a much warmer Christmas in Australia!

Below, I’m sharing with you a beautifully illustrated book with linocut prints & Christmas rhymes, a touching new album by Thomas Helmig, a wonderful documentary and a recipe for a classic Danish treat!

Additionally, there is my e-book “Let’s Hygge Christmas” where I share ideas for cooking, baking, and crafting. I’ve also created a few videos showing how to make paper Christmas trees, simple paper stars, clay ornaments, and how to create an instant scent of Christmas.

I wish you a joyful December, filled with moments that bring you happiness, whether through something to create, cook, read, or watch. A Merry Christmas to you from me!

These Danish Oatmeal Balls are the taste of a Danish Christmas. As a child, our neighbour, a lovely elderly lady, Jenny, always made these. She looked after us as children and became family. I inherited the Blue Fluted Plain Bonbonnière from her, so I thought it would be fitting to serve them in it. I’ve put my own twist on her recipe by adding a splash of Kahlúa!

CLASSIC DANISH OATMEAL BALLS WITH COFFEE & KAHLÚA

INGREDIENTS

Makes about 50

250 g quick oats
150 g raw sugar
50 g unsweetened cocoa powder
75 g desiccated coconut
150 g organic butter (room temperature)
1/2 cup strong coffee
1 tbsp Kahlúa
a pinch of salt

Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl.

Crumble in the butter, then add the coffee and Kahlúa.

If the mixture is too sticky, add a little more oats or coconut. If it’s too dry, add a bit more coffee.

Shape the mixture into small balls and roll them in shredded coconut.

At the Danish Book Fair, I discovered a book of excellence “24 Dage med rim i December” by the Danish Author Knud Romer illustrated with truly exceptional linocut prints by Karin Rytter. It’s by far the prettiest book I’ve seen, filled with the most heartwarming rhymes – one for each day in December! Unfortunately, it’s only available in Danish, but the linocut prints are sold on Etsy, so I thought I’d share it with you anyway!

Thomas Helmig’s music has been the soundtrack of my life. He is 10 years older than I am and has been at the top of the Danish charts for four decades. This album has been hailed as one of his finest. It is much more melancholic than his previous albums, as these 7 songs were written for his 24-year-old son, Hugo Helmig, who tragically passed away two years ago. It’s an incredibly beautiful album, one I’ve been listening to since it was released just over a month ago. You don’t need to speak Danish to enjoy the beautiful melodies and the special lullaby he wrote for his son. Listen to it here on Spotify, YouTube or Apple Music!

As a graphic designer, I’ve been a huge admirer of Martha Stewart’s world for decades. She is a true pioneer, and watching her documentary was incredibly interesting. If anything, it left me with the lesson that without strong personal relationships, all the glamour and perfection are ultimately meaningless. I must admit, I felt a bit sorry for her, but I still deeply admire her strength and resilience. You can watch it on Netflix!

Take a look in my book “let’s hygge Christmas”! It is filled with things to cook, bake and
create. This book gathers my preparations, celebrations and traditions for Christmas. I share some of my heirloom Christmas recipes, my handmade decorations, favourite white flowers, some of the traditions I was brought up with in Denmark and some new ones I have created since living here in Australia. My wish is to add a little hygge to your CHRISTMAS. See it here. Enjoy!

Below is a selection of videos where I show you how to create the instant scent of Christmas, the Paper Christmas trees, simple stars and clay ornaments. I hope this will inspire you. All of these projects are also in my e-Book let’s hygge Christmas.