The Winter 2022 Box
A blanket of pristine snow is cloaking every surface, frost is gathering on the corners of your windows, a pot of soup is simmering on the stove — it’s the season to indulge in all things vinterhygge.
Bundle up, grab a hot beverage, and head outdoors
Even if the temperature where you live dips to subarctic levels during the winter months, often all you need to continue enjoying the beauty of nature is the right clothing — that’s why we love including items like scarves and warm socks in our boxes during the chillier months. For this box, we have a pair of mountain and snow socks from Friday Sock Co. with a wintery mountain print. The thin Egyptian cotton material means you can fit them under all kinds of footwear, keeping your feet warm no matter what the temperature outside.
The perfect companion to any winter outdoor fun is a steaming beverage, and we’ve included something to keep your drink warm throughout your adventures — the Anytime Emma cup, in a gorgeous stone rose hue, from VIVA Scandinavia. The large to-go cup has a 15-ounce capacity, and you can bring along your beverage of choice, from hot chocolate to coffee to a soothing cup of tea.
And don’t worry, we’ve included a fantastic beverage to get you started — the Self Care Elixir tea from Tease. This Ayurvedic-inspired blend features refreshing orange pieces, warming cinnamon, dandelion leaves, safflower petals, strawberry leaves, and most importantly, Moringa, which according to Tease is “known to calm and connect the mind and spirit.” As a bonus, it’s caffeine-free, so you can indulge any time of day or night. Brew the blend in your Anytime Emma cup, and you’ll have something to warm you from the inside out as the snow crunches underneath your boots.
Curl up with a crackling candle and engrossing book
There’s a reason we include candles in our boxes so frequently — from the flickering light to the therapeutic scents, they add so much hygge to any space you light them in. The Twine & Lace candle we’ve selected has a delectable aroma of sweet toasted marshmallows and fragrant vanilla as well as a crackling wooden wick, adding that crackling fireplace sound to up the cozy factor. If you’re fortunate enough to have a real wood-burning fireplace in your home, you may also want to check out the card included with instructions on how to make your own pinecone fire starters (it's the perfect way to use our signature pinecones that are included in every box).
There’s nothing that pairs better with a night in than a great book. Completely immersing yourself in another world can be such a wonderful way to unwind after a busy day, so we’ve included a page-turner that you won’t be able to put down until you’ve finished it all — Shari Lapena’s An Unwanted Guest. We won’t spoil the twists and turns in this thriller, but it’s set at a mountain lodge during a storm, making it the perfect read while you’re likewise hunkered down at home for a winter weekend.
Finally — because we believe in treating yourself to small indulgences whenever possible — we suggest pairing your evening of cozy reading with a snack. The Skoreos from Sweet Lake of the Woods are absolutely addictive, and the perfect combination of rich chocolate-y biscuit, buttery toffee bits, and smooth milk chocolate.
Take time to care for yourself — and find beauty in every moment
In a previous box, we encouraged subscribers to battle the drying winter air by soothing their skin with Province Apothecary’s moisturizing balms. For this box, we’ve included the perfect self-care item — their Regenerating Exfoliator + Resurfacing mask, which is packed with all kinds of incredible ingredients including soothing lavender oil, antioxidant-rich green tea, and nourishing oat flour. The versatile dry formula can be customized to suit your needs — use it as is to exfoliate, or mix it up with your preferred liquid for a mask. If you’re looking to incorporate hygge moments into your day, we recommend the mask preparation — that way, you can take a few minutes in your busy day to put everything down, apply your mask, and take some mindful breaths while those ingredients soak into your skin.
Finally, as a special exclusive for our quarterly subscribers to show them our gratitude, we’ve included a heart-shaped pottery piece from Hillborn Pottery. The handmade product can be used to bring a little bit of beauty and mindfulness to any ritual in your day — you can use it to store everything from personal items like rings or hair ties to snacks and more.
We hope you find plenty to savour in the winter season as you continue to keep hygge a central part of your daily life.
Photos courtesy of Julie with Try Small Things.