The nights are getting longer, the light fades early behind the trees, and my study smells of coffee, cinnamon, and cloves. November is here. This seems like the moment to complain about the grey skies and short days, but I feel a quiet excitement instead. It's the month of slowing down, of watching nature retreat further and further. But also of looking forward to December. And this year I've discovered something new: Novent — a Swedish discovery that perfectly matches how I experience this time.
Novent, a contraction of November and Advent, is the idea that you can already let a bit of the Christmas spirit in during November. Not with full glitter and hustle, but in soft tones, with lights and small rituals. It's a kind of prelude to coziness, without rush — a gentle transition between autumn and winter.
The Swedes have a lovely phrase for this; Smystarta Julen. It means something like 'secretly starting Christmas early'.
To capture that peace and warmth, I try to truly live Novent. Here are five small ways to do that – maybe they'll inspire you too:
1.🌲Bring light indoors
In November, light is a precious commodity. I place (LED) candles everywhere in beautiful candlesticks, hang a string of lights above the dining table and prefer to leave it on all day. And in the evening, extra tealights are lit.
2.🕯️Decorate with simplicity
Here and there, a pumpkin still stands, which I complement with more natural materials: beautiful branches, linen, white houses, and wood. Perhaps a simple wreath already. Things that smell of forest and peace.
3.🍷Make something warm
A pot of mulled wine or Scandinavian glögg on the stove, a stew simmering all afternoon, cheese fondue, or baking gingerbread cookies with the kids. Lovely things for the weekends.
4. 🍿 On the couch with winter films
Even though I've seen most of this list countless times and they're not all truly winter films, they remain enjoyable this time of year. Grab popcorn and a blanket for: Frozen, The Chronicles of Narnia, Bridget Jones, Star Wars, and Harry Potter.
5. Take it easy
We live in a world that increasingly swallows up the seasons, where Christmas items are already in stores in October. Take it easy this month, no stress to immediately put on a 'full-fledged' Christmas celebration, but rather a calm start to the Christmas atmosphere. This way, it will still be enjoyable in December to put up the Christmas tree and really make a party of it.
That's exactly why the idea of Novent came about: to make this month more pleasant by starting to enjoy things a little earlier and to relieve the pressure of the actual Christmas month. To see November as a canvas, not as a waiting room for December.
This year, the festive lights are already in the living room. I've already made a test pot of mulled wine (for my new card) and my iPad is ready to capture the silence of Novent in illustrations. A season between seasons, where peace and anticipation gently meet.
