How to Have a Hygge Romjul (Just Like We Do in Norway)

The time between Christmas and New Year is a special time in Norway. Here we call it romjul, pronounced "rom-yool". It's a time of slowing down, recharging and spending cosy time in a way that feels right for you.

I love romjul. The Christmas decorations are still up, the fairy lights are out and it's still all sparkly. But there is no more pressure to make the time perfect, no pressure to buy gifts or plan beautiful menus, no pressure to socialise too much and a time to relax and enjoy a the winter a little.

For many people romjul is an opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Many people are off work, there are Christmas treats left and we can concentrate on being together in an informal way.

So let me share a few ways that my family and our friends like to enjoy romjul in our little corner of Norway:

We take it easy

Christmas is over and with it all the rushing about and let's face it, the pressure. Romjul is a time to get up a little later, take time for another cup of coffee and potter about the house not doing anything particularly useful. It's a time to take it easy.

There is no rushing about

The pressure to buy the ideal gift is over now and there is no need to rush about too much. any of us are not at work, many businesses are closed and the fridge is full of Christmas food. So we can stop with all the rushing about for the time being. Take a few days to gather yourself, recharge and spend a bit more time doing the things you love.

Be relaxed

We've been to all the Christmas parties, all the tree lightings, all the julebord (Christmas parties) and worn all the pretty clothes. Now we can chill out a bit. You can wear those leggings, or your favourite hiking trousers and nobody cares! The blankets come out again and we watch TV in the afternoon under a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate and don't feel a single pang of guilt.

Do things with family and friends

One of our favourite romjul traditions is to spend time with family and friends. In my family, hiking season starts in earnest at romjul. I start planning all the places we are going to visit on foot and we begin to venture out into the wild winter nature. Romjul is also a time to have a few relaxed and informal gatherings with family. It has a completely different vibe to it at romjul compared to Christmas and I have to say that I love that. I feel my shoulders drop a little and I can take a breath without fussing about buffets, Christmas treats mor having the house looking perfect.

Take the chance to get outside and get some fresh air. Winter air has a clarity to it that fills our lungs and raises our happiness levels.

Get outside

One of my family and friends' favourite romjul traditions is to get outside on the last day of the year. We take a short hike with friends to a favourite grilling spot in the middle of the forest. We all carry backpacks with a few supplies in and we light a fire, grill hot dogs and drink lots of hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows on it. The kids run about in the forest building dens and climbing trees and we get lots of fresh air, chat, laugh and have a wonderful relaxed time. It puts a full stop on the year in the most cosy and hyggelig way possible.

Eat leftovers

Yep, that turkey curry is calling! I like to start the New Year with a fridge that doesn't constantly remind me of previous meals. Romjul is a great time eat a few leftovers. Don't just throw things out, be creative and turn that turnkey or roast beef into something else delicious. You are saving a bit of money and helping the environment. Well done, you!

We might as well eat those Christmas chocolates and do as Norwegians do and forget about the guilt!

Eat the chocolates if you want

At any celebration you will find Norwegians at the cake table. I have never lived in a place where guilt is barely even recognised like in Norway. If it's a celebration we happily eat 4 slices of cake and no-one feels guilty. We can exercise tomorrow, but let's enjoy ourselves without putting a downer on it. So eat those chocolates if you want. You can take a hike tomorrow.

Healthy eating is exciting and colourful and makes us feel great.

Start on the healthy food too

Straight after Christmas is when I start to plan my vegetable garden and that thought and planning helps me make a simple shift towards healthier eating. After all the indulgences we want to recapture that incredible feeling you have in your body when you fill it with healthy food. Try to go for simple, unprocessed foods like fresh fruit and vegetables, plain fish and meat and avoid foods that have a long list of ingredients in them. Try it for a few weeks and I promise you will feel amazing!

So today is the day to start your authentic Nordic romjul. Join me in some of these simple, intentional and Nordic ways to celebrate a time that we often overlook.