We’re well into January with the sweet holiday memories still as fresh as the winter snow. Even though the last of the wrapping paper has been recycled and the tree has come down (please tell me you took your tree down) it doesn’t mean that you have to pack away the warm festive feeling that all the holiday decorations bring.  There’s no doubt the Danish concept of hygge has been trending in US over the years and perhaps it has rubbed off on me.

But let me tell you I am a firm believer in a January refresh that gently transitions our family from full on Christmas to a magical winter vibe that incorporates lots of light be it from candles, twinkling lights, or blazing bon fire (after all this is the season of light), winter greenery, and an abundance of soft coziness.

Pottery Barn Sparkling Rose Collection

Part of my annual January routine is filling my home clean fresh scents like linen and citrus. I like to fill a decorative bowl with a wintery potpourri that includes pinecones, decorative wood, moss, cinnamon sticks, and berries. I then weave battery powered fairy lights into the potpourri. In the evening, the little fairy lights sparkle with subtle glow.

One scent I really like this time of year is Sparkling Rose Scent from Pottery Barn with hints of wine, citrus and sandalwood the blend is a bubbly bright combination.  Take advantage of the after Christmas sales and snag a great deal on this scent collection while supplies last.

This year, instead of using a bowl, I filled the base of two lanterns with the potpourri and lights for a whimsical wintery welcome in our entry way.

Winter hygge living room

Finally, I bring on the cozy with thick faux fur and soft ivory knit throw blankets and pillows.  It’s exactly what you want to wrap yourself up with on a chilly winter day. Just add a crackling fire or light several candles, pour yourself a mug of your favorite hot beverage, and you’ve got the scene for the perfect cozy night in. 

Cheers!

Speaking of hot beverages, cold winter nights call for a cup of warm Mulled Wine.  A blend of wine, spices and sweetener like honey or sugar, mulled wine is an aromatic winter cocktail that will warm your hands and soul. 

The origin of mulled wine can be traced as far back as ancient Greece, but it was the Romans who really embraced this toasty elixir which they called conditum paradoxum which loosely translates to “surprise spiced wine” and was made by boiling wine with honey and a variety of aromatic spices such as saffron, pepper, laurel and dates and typically was made with left over wine or less than desirable harvests that could be cured by mulling it with spices. As the Roman empire spread across Europe, so did this beloved medicinal tonic. 

Today, there are a myriad of mulled wine variations from countries all over the world.  In the UK, mulled wine is a traditional holiday drink that was catapulted into fame when Charles Dicken’s featured a Smoking Bishop (a type of mulled wine) in his 1843 novel, A Christmas Carol. 

Vino Caliente, the Spanish mulled wine is made with adding citrus juice and results in a special concoction that is somewhat like sangria, but warm.

In Germany they serve up Glühwein which means Glow Wine. Perhaps because one will start to glow after a few cups? Glühwein is widely celebrated and served at Christmas markets. 

Even though mulled wine is highly celebrated during the holiday season it is important to note that International Mulled Wine Day is March 3^rd, so clearly this beverage is meant to be enjoyed all winter long.  So, with that grab yourself a bottle of moderately priced wine (not your prized bottle of Lafite) along with a collection of spices and organic fruits (why organic? Um, you’ll be simmering the fruit peels and all need I say more?) and whip up a batch of this wintery cocktail to enjoy with friends this season. 

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