Adapting The Art Of Hygge
Duda Owner IONOS • February 4, 2021
This Valentine’s Day, surround yourself and your significant other with the Danish art of hygge. What is hygge (pronounced hoo-gah), you ask? This state of being cozy, comfortable and connected stems from the Danish concept that in the absence of overwhelming things,we are the happiest. Designing an environment around the idea of hygge might look like a hot cup of tea by a warm fire, reading your favorite book underneath a cozy blanket or a filling meal shared with your closest friends and family. Hygge promotes wellness and a calm state of being, making it the perfect concept to channel this Valentine’s Day. Here’s how you can adapt this concept for you and your partner:
- Turn The Lights Down Low
The first step to creating a cozy environment is mood lighting. You can set the scene for your night of romance by lighting a fire in the fire place, burning your favorite candle and turning off any overhead lights that may be too bright. Cuddle up with your partner under a warm blanket and watch a movie you’ve both been eyeing to make the night even more memorable. - The Couple That Creates Together, Stays Together
Another creative way to integrate hygge into your Valentine’s Day is to decorate your home with your significant other. This could be choosing items that are special to both of you or starting fresh with new ideas that you create together. Curating an environment that celebrates your relationship will promote a sense of partnership and make your shared space meaningful. - Connect With Each Other
Connecting with each other on Valentine’s Day may seem like a given but using hygge can deepen your relationship with your significant other. Cook a fun, new meal together while you reminisce over an old photo album and a hot chocolate. Play board games in the candlelight while your favorite record spins in the background. Learn to linger in the small moments that hygge creates and celebrate them with one another. Practicing gratitude in your relationship is the heart of hygge and will only bring you closer together in your relationship.
The GBU Life Scholarship Awards support students in college, trade programs, non-college programs, and graduate school, helping them achieve their dreams, setting them on a career path and realizing life goals. Since its founding, the GBU Foundation has awarded 4,500 scholarships and educational grants totaling more than $3.2 million. In 2025, 215 members received $226,000 to support their two‑year, four‑year and graduate studies. Here’s a look at where the rubber meets the road — as we check in on past grantees to see how their scholarship awards have helped them stay on course, where they are now, and where they hope to be in the future.
To celebrate our 134th anniversary, GBU Life launched the Birthday Bash initiative, calling upon the GBU Life community to honor our fraternal legacy through service. GBU Life invited members, producers, and community leaders to assemble and deliver shelf-stable cake kits for individuals and families who may otherwise go without a birthday celebration. What can seem like a simple act of service could be the spark of hope someone needed.

