November can feel a bit flat – Halloween is over and it’s too early for Christmas, unless you want to be sick of ‘It’s beginning to look a lot like…’ by December 1st. If you’re not careful, arguments start to circle around the dinner table about when is too early to begin the Yule festivities. A Wimbledon resident said: ‘local supermarkets have had Christmas chocolates on the shelves since September, before we have even finished the Halloween ones!’ To keep the peace and save some excitement for when December really does roll around, I’ve put together the ultimate list of cozy distractions to make November into its own Autumnal celebration.
The first thing to make sure of is having the right atmosphere at home. Take a tip from Scandinavia and go full on ‘Hygge’, dialling up the coziness and conviviality. You want to make yourself feel like a bear going into hibernation, with your home as the inviting cave which tempts you to stay in it forever. Pumpkins and gourds are not just for October - with some dried flowers, candles and twinkle lights, they make for a perfect autumn display, and you could add in some foraged foliage and conkers. No need to spend money, just work with what you already have, in a colour palate of warm browns and greens. Dig out some pottery from the back of the cupboard, and maybe change up some cushions, throws or tablecloths. You can trawl through charity shops to find them and look for the coziest cable knit jumpers and scarves at the same time. TK Maxx on the Broadway sells the world’s softest blankets, and spiced candles at a serious bargain. Remember: if you feel that you are never going to want to leave your home after its hygge renovation, that means you’ve done the job right!
Next up: recipes! Punch your Christmas excitement into a pile of fluffy dough, because it’s not here quite yet. To achieve the Autumn ambience necessary for a successful November, you want to curate all the recipes that have the most cinnamon, nutmeg, butternut squash, pumpkin, mushrooms (not all together, of course) etc. Butternut squash and leek and potato soup are seasonal staples, and a mushroom risotto is a perfect comfort dish. The Wimbledon Village Farmers Market is the perfect place to find all these ingredients, and you can admire the autumn decorations in Bailey and Sage as you go past. Don’t forget pies either – from steak and ale to lentil, these are warming British classics. For more adventurous eaters, try the Swedish potato dish Jansson’s Temptation, a traditional side for when it’s getting chilly outside. Deliciously Ella is a great website for looking at the healthier side of winter eating too.
Now onto perhaps an even greater joy that comes from the kitchen – baking! Whilst it’s a great way to get the house smelling like coziness itself, it’s also a convenient source of meal prep; bake on a Sunday, enjoy on the Monday as an on-the-go breakfast. Some of my favourites include cinnamon buns, apple muffins and chai cookies. Don’t forget desserts either, with apple and blackberry crumble, pecan pie, toffee apples or pears in red wine being seasonal showstoppers. However, if, like many of us, you don’t feel confident enough to bake yourself, fear not, because the most festive November ‘bake’ of all requires no baking whatsoever. The bonfire night cake is the ultimate way to credit November for its celebrations (recipes for it are all over the internet). When you are next at the supermarket, pick up a ready-made chocolate cake, some Matchmakers, chocolate fingers and flakes and get assembling. Add some red Lindor or leftover orange Halloween chocolates into the middle and there you have it - the perfect way to celebrate the 5th of November.
One of the most important steps of all to make sure that you have the November you deserve is, of course the entertainment element. Books, movies and music will make or break the hygge so it’s important to get it right. Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier, and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott are just a few that will get the autumnal atmosphere right. As far as movies and TV are concerned, some of my personal favourites include: When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Gilmore Girls and Stranger Things. Creating the ultimate Autumn playlist is a vital step to not only enjoying this time of year, but more importantly guiding your ears away from Michael Buble’s Christmas album. (In the words of Mariah Carey: ‘Not yet’!) Collate all your favourite songs that remind you of this time of year, and put on shuffle as you bake, read, study or go on a wintry walk through Cannizaro Park.
If November’s dreary weather and shorter days lower your spirits into your wellies, turn to these cozy comforts to (pumpkin) spice up your life. Happy Hygge!
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