Hygge and the Outdoor Fireplace
What is Hygge (Hoo-gah) and how is it done?
First off, Hygge is a Danish word. To translate it into English, specifically North American English, is not a simple task. To give it justice the word Hygge, (pronounced Hoo-gah), means:
“A quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being”.
See - a mouthful and then some. And still, what does that even mean?
The concept of Hygge is not lost on us Canadians. Though to be honest some of the factors that go into creating a Hygge space are things our ancestors would have deemed necessary for survival. A crackling fire for example, though perhaps a minor luxury today, represents the main source of life protecting warmth as well as the means for providing hot sustenance. Today it is the main focal point of most Canadian winter scenes where a warm inviting ambiance is desired.
Not just winter though, right? When it comes to the fireside circle that puts the punctuation on the end of a beautiful summer day at the camp or the cottage Canadians are drawn like a fat kid to a Smartie. It can be 30 degrees all day, but we are going to waste half a cord of firewood anyways just to propagate that feeling we get sitting around the campfire, roasting marshmallows, talking trash, falling in love and creating memories.
These are the times of Hygge in the lives of the Canadian. But is that all Hygge is about?
To better translate the word Hygge, naturally we need to afford some slang terminology. A ‘cozy vibe’, ‘down time’, ‘comfortable atmosphere’ things we say to convey the atmosphere we are longing for.
Merriam-Webster’s defines it as ‘a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable’.
Now we get it. Snuggled up under a blanket on a cold winters night, in front of the fire with a good book and hot cup of cocoa.
Yep - that’s it.
Is it imperative that there be a fire in the picture? Of course not - but let’s face it, as Canadians, having a fire is in our DNA. Camp fire, fireplace, fire pit, Chiminea, Bon fire, candles, lanterns, sparklers - there is just something soothing about the light that comes from a flame that cannot be imitated by anything else.
What about hygge alone time? Ever lit up a bunch of candles around the tub, dimmed the lights and lounged in the bubbles while digesting a good book? Or how about sitting quietly in the canoe at sunset as the fire in the sky burns it’s way across the lake and all you hear are the loons calling and the quiet lapping of water on the boat. How Hygge is that?
It's not always quiet though. I’ve had the same emotions stirred during a hay ride through the snow on a bright moonlit night while we sang Christmas Carols and laughed together. Even at a noisy beach with kids running and yelling, water splashing on the shore and hot sand on your feet. Yes, Hygge is all around. What we seem to be lacking is the time it takes to acknowledge it and drink in.
We’ve found that an intentional effort to create more Hygge time in our lives almost always results in closer friends and family, more memories and generally better health.
Hooga Outdoor Fireplaces is one of those intentional efforts. Given our propensity to stay indoors due to inclement weather, and the time it takes to set up an outdoor space to enjoy that inevitably needs to be brought back in so it doesn’t get ruined by the elements. But these fireplaces are intended to be left out in the weather. They are made from solid cast concrete without any exposed metal to deteriorate and their low clearance to combustibles allows for setting up through a gazebo or pergola roof.
Add the cooking accessory of your choice and you have an outdoor attraction that is ready for use at dinner time and continues to function late into the evening or perhaps the early morning. The radiated heat makes your space comfortable even in the shoulder seasons and, if you are a true outdoor enthusiast, is a great attraction right through the winter. We enjoy a day of snowmobiling ending with a warm fire in the yard. Patio lights flickering and hot beverages flowing - it’s a Hygge fest every time.
Are you new to entertaining? Keep an eye on our blog for key tips to creating a Hygge space for your guests.
