Taking comfort in simple pleasures is what comes to mind whenever I think of ‘hygge’ but it’s more than that. Hygge in a Box is a quarterly subscription box for those looking to find meaningful hygge moments with products that touch on some of the key elements of the concept: Warmth, Light, Nourishment, Comfort, Connection, Joy, Mindfulness and Nature, all made in small batches by Canadian artisans and businesses. I’ll have the Winter box for you later this month, but in the meantime let’s take a look at the Limited Edition Hygge Holiday Box.
*They kindly sent us this box for review
Hygge in a Box is available by the box and by subscription (all prices in CAD):
February Limited Edition Box — For The Love of Hygge (one-time purchase): A special box tied to International Hygge Day (February 28) and Valentine’s Day. 5 to 6 premium products valued at $100+ for $64.99 + $19.99 shipping across Canada and the US. Commitment-free. Orders close January 20.
Hygge in a Box (one-time purchase): 7 to 9 full-sized, premium products valued at $200+ for $114.99 + $19.99 shipping Canada-wide. Committment-free. Contents change seasonally.
Hygge in a Box (quarterly subscription): 7 to 9 full-sized, premium products valued at $200+, plus a bonus item valued at $25 per box; a 10% discount on limited edition boxes; free downloads for mindfulness programs; and more for $114.99 per box + $19.99 shipping across Canada. Contents change seasonally.
I’ll be including excerpts from the product card throughout this post. I really enjoy learning about the companies and philosophies behind each of the items and it definitely lends an added value to the box. First up, a holiday read.
One Christmas Kiss in Notting Hill
“Reading affords us connection and inspiration and, like Hygge, moments of quiet ease. When we curl up to read, we experience a sense of abundance, a taste of Hygge, a feeling of engagement and of belonging to the moment. Simple holiday romance novels create a sense of cozy, happy and relaxation, which we all want to feel, especially over the holidays.”
I hadn’t heard of One Christmas Kiss in Notting Hill but it sounds sooo good! Here’s the description from the back cover:
“Imagine the perfect Christmas Kiss…
His strong arms around her waist, her hands on his face, the snow slowly starts to fall…
It’s enough to make Isla Winters cringe! While her sister can’t get enough of this – increasingly common – sight on the streets of London, Isla’s too busy trying to stop Hannah’s wheelchair from slipping on the ice, and making sure she’s not too late to her dream job at Breekers International.
But everything changes with the arrival of Chase Bryan, fresh from the New York office. He’s eager to learn everything about Isla’s beloved Notting Hill, but as the nights get colder, will cosying up to him come at a price?”
What books did you read over the holidays?
Mulled Wine Mix (Glögg)
“Sweet, warm, and spicy, Glögg is Sweden’s seasonal mulled wine gift to chilly souls around the globe. Often enjoyed as a holiday drink, Glögg carries the classic connotations and merry musings of its old Norse origins, meaning “glowing ember.” Located in Winnipeg, MB the Baltic Brothers are fourth generation ‘infusionists’.”
I’ve only ever tried IKEA’s Glögg and it wasn’t for me (neither is red wine on its own), but I can see my fella enjoying a warm mug on a Winter’s eve or serving it from a crockpot to guests after a skate down the canal. (The world’s largest skating rink is just up the street.)
Just Breathe Candle
“Handcrafted in Guelph, ON through The Scented Market, this candle offers a fresh blend of eucalyptus and peppermint. Great for opening airways! This 8-oz candle has a burn time of approx. 50 hours and is 100% all natural soy wax, renewable and sustainable. It’s also lead, paraffin and phalate free! Breathe in that fresh crisp air and pause to ‘just breathe’.”
I’ll light candles at all hours of the day and night and this one smells wonderful. I’m taking a big sniff of it right now. Ahhhhhhh.
Cozy Mohair Gloves
“Pokoloko is a Toronto, ON based company dedicated to the discovery of high quality, fair-trade products exclusively from family-based artisans. The Cozy Knit Series is designed in collaboration with a group of artisans in Bali. Made of beautiful mohair blended fabric, the gloves are a simple addition to your winter wear.”
When you have long winters like we do you can never have enough gloves and mitts. (I’m sure my 10-year-old has lost four pairs since November.) These are super soft and I love the nubby knit.
Eucalyptus Bath Salts
“Made in Montreal, QC this Dead Sea Salt is a blend of green clay, eucalyptus, peppermint essential oils and organic mint leaf. ELUCX is a brand specializing in all natural skin/bath/body care products and also a humanitarian organization through supporting the initiatives for the homeless in Canada: what a beautiful cause and something to truly feel good about.”
These bath salts smell so much like the candle so you know how I feel about that. I used some in a bath after a spin class this morning and it felt soooo luxurious.
Festive Food Wrap
“The Farmer’s Daughter beeswax food wraps are a natural, zero-waste alternative to plastic wrap. Wraps are handmade in Carman, MB using beautiful cottons and local beeswax. Beeswax wraps help to keep your food fresh for up to 3x longer than plastic alternatives. Great to cover cheese, snack bowls, sandwiches, fruits/vegetable etc. Say goodbye to wasted food!”
Beeswax wraps! I’ve been wanting to try these forever and what a pretty pattern! Have you made the switch to beeswax wraps? How do you like them?
Winter Fun Card
“This card is a print of a hand-drawn and hand-painted illustration created by Field Day Paper in Halifax, NS. We love both the rustic feel and that it’s a true representation of how to embrace the Canadian winter season: getting outdoors is very hygge! The card can be framed for your wall, sent to a friend or accompany a gift.”
One of my goals for the new year is to send more cards so this one will be popped in the mail to a special someone very soon. I love it!
Toffee Crunch
“Delicious layers of roasted cashews, buttery toffee and chocolate. The perfect savoury and sweet balance makes Utoffeea so yummy and seriously addictive. Crafted small batch toffee means that each bag is made with care in Winnipeg MB, not in a factory. A hygge life is sweet. Bet you can’t stop at just one! Enjoy! (gluten free)”
This stuff was ridiculously delicious! I can’t wait til Utoffeea’s online shop re-opens this month so I can order some more. (It’s widely available in stores across Manitoba and at one place in Kenora, Ontario.)
The Hygge Holiday Box also included three cards: this one with suggestions for embracing hygge over the holidays; another with a Baked Apple Pancake recipe and a third sharing how to make your own herbal tea blends (for yourself or to gift).
And last but not least (tho I forgot to photograph it ), a wee pine cone from Lake of the Woods, Ontario, where Hygge in a Box founders Jill and Lisa have a summer cabin.
“Not only is the pine cone our logo, we love it as a simple way to bring the outdoors in which is an integral part of creating a hygge home. Further, pine cones are widely used decorative items for Christmas as they symbolize the unity of a chosen family. In addition, pine cones are a sign of hope.”
The Hygge in a Box Holiday Box is a wonderful reminder to enjoy the season we’re in with all kinds of products and ideas to help do just that. I think it’s a delightful gift, both for those who readily embrace the holidays and others who have a harder time getting through it. If you missed this one, you can still order February’s limited edition Hygge in a Box and the seasonal boxes (the Spring boxes are currently on sale).
How do you hygge? What products and/or Canadian makers would you like to see in a future box?
Try Small Things – https://trysmallthings.com