LET’S HYGGE DECEMBER 2025

[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 little greeting finds you well and in good spirits. This year has flown by, and I am very much looking forward to slowing down and settling into the gentle rhythm of Christmas. I’ve actually already begun. Lately, my evenings have been spent folding a forest of paper Christmas trees and shaping a sky full of clay birds, stars and angles. There is such joy in sitting quietly, working with my hands, and letting my thoughts wander over the year that is soon coming to a close.

This weekend, the baking begins — honey cakes and peppernuts — and then the Christmas tree will go up. One of the pleasures of having an artificial tree is that it can be enjoyed all through December without dropping a single pine needle. We’ve had ours since we arrived in Australia… which is now 16 years ago!

In my e-book Let’s Hygge Christmas, I share ideas for things to cook, bake, and create. Have a little flick through below — I’ve also made a few videos showing how I fold the paper Christmas trees, make simple paper stars, craft clay ornaments, and create an instant scent of Christmas.

I wish you a joyful December filled with small moments that bring you happiness — whether you’re creating, cooking, reading, or simply enjoying the season.

A very Merry Christmas from me to you

Let's Hygge Lindbjerg Graphic Journal Blog

This little recipe is one of my dearest Christmas treasures. These Danish pebernødder have been passed down through generations — first from my grandmother, then to my mother, and now to me. They’re wonderfully simple to make and a perfect activity with children.

DANISH PEPPER NUTS

INGREDIENTS

450-500 g flour
125 g raw sugar
125 g butter
65 g lard
¼ cup milk
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1½ tablespoons cardamom

NB! If the weather is warm and the dough softens, pop the rolled logs in the fridge for 30 minutes. The chill firms them up and makes cutting the little nuts much easier.

Preheat oven to 200°C. Line 4 large baking trays with baking paper.

Sift ¾ of the flour, bicarbonate of soda, sugar and cardamon into a large bowl. Make a well in centre of flour mixture, then add the lard, and butter in cubes and the milk. Mix with your hands until a soft dough forms. If the dough is sticky adjust it with a little more flour.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Using lightly floured hands, roll dough into long rolls of a diameter of 20 mm.

Cut the pepper nut out into 15 mm pieces. Place on prepared trays, allowing room for spreading. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool on trays.

One of my favourite Australian Christmas traditions is heading out to the orchards for fresh cherries. Back in Denmark we would bundle up and go pick our Christmas tree; here, under the summer sun, we gather cherries instead. It has become our own joyful ritual — filling buckets with glossy red fruit, tasting as we go, and bringing home the flavours of the festive season. We always visit our local cherry Orchard Roth Family Orchard — a beautiful place to celebrate the start of summer’s sweetness.

Handel’s Messiah is the sound of Christmas for me and I play it all through December. It’s wonderful to listen on full volume so that the music fills every corner of the house. It energises me and fills me with joy! I have started a little early this year and have had it playing along, adding its magic, as I create this month’s journal! Tap to hear Handel’s Messiah performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, directed by Sir Colin Davis! Find it on Apple Music, Spotify or You Tube

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.