A Guide to Koselig: Norway's Colsie
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colsie (kol-zee) / origin: Old Scots for ‘cosy’
Long, dark winters.
Although that may sound less than inviting, it’s from this environment that the arguably best facets of the two countries have been cultivated. We love seeing how different cultures rise to the challenge of embracing winter darkness and cultivating a cosy sense of warmth.
Where Denmark has hygge, Scotland has colsie and Norway has koselig (pronounced coose-ley), and it’s generally agreed that the feeling of koselig can’t be exactly translated into English. While the direct translation is “cosy”, it’s undergirded with an inner glow of conviviality. The joy and warmth of being together.
Like colsie, koselig has much to do with creating a cosy environment, but don’t miss the forest for the trees and get too focussed on which candle sticks you use. The environment serves the purpose of facilitating a feeling, and that can often be done with things you already own! We’ve outlined some tips for finding your inner koselig below!
- Be together. Quality time spent with the ones you love is the surest way to achieve koselig. Phones aren’t invited.
- Light candles and use lamps instead of overhead lighting
- Build a fire and appreciate the scent and the warmth.
- Be conscious of sound- a winter playlist or crackling fire should do the trick.
- Wear cosy slippers or wool socks, bonus points if they’re hand knitted.
- Drink something warm. Whether it’s gløgg (mulled wine), tea or coffee, it’s nice to be warm on the inside.
- Play outside! Even if it’s snowing, winter sports are peaceful way to wear yourself out, making your evening curled up by the fire even more deserved.
- Cook together! Waffles are highly recommended.
- Get snuggly under a recycled wool blanket, duh!
Happy koselig-ing!