Despite the challenging winters in Denmark, a 32-year-old American expat maintains a positive outlook and stays cheerful.

Since moving to Odense, a city on the Danish island of Funen, in late 2018, I have been asking myself every December, on cue, whether it has always gotten dark this early.

During the winter months from October to March, Denmark experiences a significant shortage of daylight, leading many residents to use sun lamps and take Vitamin D supplements.

Despite being the darkest month on average, the festive atmosphere and twinkling lights during Christmas help to lift the gloom. However, after New Year's, the cold and dark winters can be overwhelming until spring arrives and we can enjoy longer daylight hours in March.

I'm thrilled to maintain a positive outlook during winter and keep the season lively.

Embracing holiday traditions and delicious food

Unlike the U.S., Denmark has fewer national holidays, with the exception of Sankt Hans and Mortensaften, which are informal celebrations marking the midsummer solstice and the start of winter, respectively.

I find it helpful to keep American fall and winter traditions, such as dressing up for Halloween and hosting Friendsgiving with at least three types of pie.

I enjoy making pumpkin pie (my go-to vegan recipe) and cranberry sauce, and I also experiment with new Danish dishes, such as romkugler (rum-flavored cake balls) and æbleskiver (spherical pancakes topped with jam and powdered sugar).

I took part in an event hosted by the Danish Celiac Association (Dansk Cøliaki Forening), aimed at individuals with celiac disease like myself. We prepared gluten-free fastelavnsboller, a pastry associated with the Fastelavn tradition, which takes place in February or early March each year.

Visiting nearby towns during winter provides a welcome change of scenery.

I visited Vejle, a fjord-side city near Odense, to observe their Christmas celebration last year. A car adorned with rainbow Christmas lights and a mannequin Santa drove up and down the main shopping street.

Creating coziness by spending time with friends

The Danish concept of hygge is often misunderstood in America, where it is commonly associated with candles, blankets, and warm drinks. However, in my experience, hygge is more about creating a comfortable atmosphere between people who feel at ease with each other.

During the festive season, Danes meticulously plan their social activities months ahead, which can make it challenging for them to form new friendships outside of their established circle. However, internationals who adopt this approach can more effectively combat the winter blues.

I enjoy inviting friends to participate in various activities, such as coffee dates, walks, and visits to different cocktail and wine bars, leading up to our monthly karaoke events.

Despite the cold and my desire to skip my bouldering sessions when it gets dark, the ritual of doing so gives me something to look forward to. My friends and I usually end our sessions with a coffee or hot chocolate and often visit the Christmas markets in Copenhagen.

To beat the cold, it's essential to stay active, venture outdoors, and engage in enjoyable activities with your favorite companions, regardless of the activity! Recently, I participated in a wine tasting with a friend, and another has proposed that we enroll in a ceramics-making course.

As we reminisce about pleasant moments spent together, it's common to utter, "That was so comfortable." Over time, I've found myself increasingly saying its literal translation, too: "That was so comfortable."

Going winterbathing for a 'joyful and euphoric' reset

In December, my partner and I visited the public pool at Odense harbor at 7 a.m., immersing ourselves in 5.6°C (42°F) water for two to five minutes each time as we observed the sky transform into its first few rays.

Winterbathing, a Danish tradition, involves alternating dips in cold water with sauna stints. I discovered this on Archipelago, a podcast hosted by James Clasper, an expat in Denmark.

I have been visiting the Odense harbor pool regularly since February 2024 to experience a "reset" of my body and mind. After emerging from the cold water, I feel joyful and euphoric. It's incredible, although it may not be suitable for the faint-hearted.

I enjoy visiting the local bakery for a cortado and a gluten-free pastry while watching the sky get lighter.

No matter the weather, I've discovered that maintaining a busy schedule, celebrating both old and new customs, and embracing routines brings me comfort and joy.

Chloé Skye Weiser is a journalist and storyteller who focuses on coffee culture, climate, circularity, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. She is originally from NYC and currently resides in Denmark. She founded Chlohemian Copy, a content strategy firm. Connect with her on LinkedIn or Instagram.

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