If I Had A Business, How Would I Decorate...?

 Driving around, you see Christmas decorations everywhere...even inside (especially inside...) businesses. Personally, I love seeing it. I do live in a rural area so maybe things aren't like this in bigger cities. When I did live in a higher populated area, all the businesses seemed to decorate for Christmas--perhaps they still do.

Last week I found myself in a local gas station. In the center of their lobby sat a fully-decorated Christmas tree complete with tires used as Christmas tree stands. The tree was adorned with things found in your average mechanic's shop. It was marvelous. There were hubcaps, tachometers, speedometers, gas caps, snow squeegees, spark plugs, small can of 3 and 1 oil, even a couple of tire gauges. 

Fun.

It made me wonder...if I owned a business, how would I decorate the tree?

I suppose, I do have a business. Authors are not just authors, they're also business owners. If I were more involved in the writing world, maybe I would decorate a tree in my office. I could hang pens, a big cinderblock (to represent writer's block...), and several rejection letters could add that special something every Christmas tree should have.

So, business owners, if you do put up a Christmas tree at your place of business, do you personalize your tree? I'd be interested to know.

Give Thanks...For Hygge

 We put up the tree the week before, but we waited until others could help to decorate. Glad we waited--it's always more fun with family. After we finished, we dimmed the lights and put on a Christmas movie. I had some computer work to do (and there was limited room on the couch thanks to the dog...) so I sat at the kitchen table. It was then, I looked over and snapped a picture of the one work that came into my mind...

Hyggeligt.

It's a Danish word without a transition, really. The best way to describe the root word hygge is "cozy." I remember first learning that word and I was told what it meant, but it wasn't until I experienced it in a small front room in Denmark that I really understood what hygge means.

Hyggeligt is a state of being. Imaging sitting in a room with loved ones, lights are low, a fire smolders in the fireplace, snow gently falling outside. Add a cup of hot chocolate and you have hygge, or a hyggeligt experience.

Thankfully, I've had many such occasions in my life. I've been so blessed to be surrounded by family, friends, laughter, and love. As I looked over at my family--all our children except the oldest and his spouse--I felt it, that cozy feeling, It radiated from the decorated tree, the stockings newly hung on the mantle, the warmth generated by many humans under one roof.

Hyggeligt...it's a wonderful word, and a better feeling. I'm grateful for the word and the feeling. I hope everyone reading this can find that in their lives, or if not, can make the world just a little bit more hyggeligt.

It's totally worth it.