A Big Hygge Hug from the Danes of Devon

“It’s all about the vibe of cosiness, about coming together and doing something calm.”

This is my first lesson in hygge, the Danish phenomenon which has swept through every mood board, magazine and social media account. (Pronounced HOOGA)

In this country we have surrendered to anything Scandi, from flat pack furniture and meatballs to a fluffy (tasteful) rug by a glowing (tasteful) fire. Now the Vikings are coming for our Christmas. And yes, it’s very tasteful.

I’m at an early Yule celebration of all things Danish with forty or so Danes who have come to live in Devon. Organiser Michelle Smith from Totnes hires the village hall in Dartington every year to share the food and music of her homeland. On the tables are apple dumplings, (which for some reason no longer contain apples but are served with strawberry jam) mulled wine with brandy soaked raisins – it packs a punch – and gingerbread cookies.

“There is one other thing about Christmas which we do, and you might think we are being a bit superstitious now, which is we have a traditional rice porridge served warm. But we also save a small bowl of it for the Nisse.” The Nisse is a little gnome who lives in your loft. “I don’t know if you are aware, but you better make friends with him. He is the one who steals your sock, that book that you can’t find – we all have one,” Michelle explains. I nod – I call him something else (less tasteful).

“So what you do, you take a bit of that rice porridge, put it in the loft and he will be happy. Put it up there Christmas Eve – or put it in the shed if you haven’t got a loft.” The rice pud also makes an appearance at the festive lunch, with one portion containing a hidden almond. Nobody is allowed to say who has the almond until, Traitors-like, they are guessed. “And it is always the person you don’t think has it.” The winner gets a marzipan pig.

After lunch the tables are cleared and the dancing begins around the traditionally-dressed tree. Michelle and her fellow Devon-based Danes are always glad to hear of others who would like to get together and share a little of that hygge spirit.