[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

As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the rhythm that has carried me through the months — the quiet pulse of days shaped by work, home, food, light, and the small rituals that anchor my life.

The journal has been a monthly companion for 5 years — each entry a small snapshot of what was unfolding at the time. If you feel like revisiting them, you can find the previous months here!

Right now, blackberries are in season, and their deep colour and generosity feel like a fitting symbol for this moment of the year — ripe, abundant, and fleeting. I’m sharing one of my favourite ways to enjoy them with you in this journal.

Thank you for being here — for reading, for following along, and for sharing in the rhythm of this year with me. I wish the new year brings you warmth, gentleness, and small moments of hygge!

A SIMPLE BLACKBERRY TART

This blackberry tart is inspired by a cookbook by Ditte Ingermann that I once designed. You can easily adapt the tart by using whatever fruit is in season — apples, pears, raspberries or plums, just to name a few.

ALL YOU NEED

Lately, I’ve returned to a small creative practice: decorating matchboxes. Over the years, I’ve collected so much beautiful paper, and giving it a new life in this way has been deeply satisfying. I love the making process itself, but even more so the joy these little boxes bring when passed on to others. It’s a simple gesture — one that adds a touch of beauty to everyday routines. We use matches often in our home; we wouldn’t sit down to dinner without lighting candles. In that way, these decorated matchboxes have become part of our daily ritual.

What you need

Matchboxes
Decorative paper
Craft knife (or sharp scissors)
Cutting mat
Glue stick 

1. Take the box apart
   Slide the inner tray out of the outer sleeve.
   
   
2. Remove the striking strip
   Carefully cut the striking strip from the original matchbox using a craft knife. Set it aside.
   

    

3. Measure and cut paper for the outer sleeve
   Wrap paper around the outside sleeve and mark the size. Cut a rectangle with a small overlap (about 2–3 mm).

    

4. Glue, wrap and trim
   Apply glue evenly to the back of the paper. Wrap it around the sleeve and align carefully. Trim excess paper.

    

5. Reattach the striking strip and leave to dry
   Glue the original striking strip onto the side of the sleeve. Let everything dry, then slide the tray back into the sleeve.

I’d like to recommend the film Goodbye June. It’s not a cheerful film, but it feels very realistic and honest. It’s a low-budget production, largely set in one location, and the simplicity of the filming really adds to the atmosphere and intensity of the story. It is raw and unsentimental, focusing on the complexity of family relationships and the tensions that surface under pressure. The performances are wonderful, and the direction by Kate Winslet brilliant. The film stayed with me long after watching — uncomfortable at times, but beautifully made. You can watch it on Netflix.

Do you want to catch up on some of the previous months? Please head to my Journal here: https://lindbjerggraphic.com.au/journal/

Feel free to share “let’s hygge” with a friend…

I wish you a great start to 2026 filled with lovely projects and lots of hygge!