Huglig Hosting - Girls Dinner Party

There’s something truly special about gathering friends for a cosy dinner party as the air turns crisp and the colours of autumn deepen. Hosting the evening in a small barn felt like stepping into a storybook, the wooden beams wrapped in soft twinkling fairy lights, a disco ball catching the glow and scattering it playfully across the walls. I laid the table with care, filling it with flickering candles, flowers from the local market, and a scattering of fresh green apples picked from one of the apple trees in the garden that tied the entire theme together. The scent of the season hung in the air, a blend of spice, sweetness, and warmth, promising comfort and connection.

The menu was inspired by the autumn harvest, with apples taking centre stage. To begin, I served delicate crackers topped with thin slices of crisp apple and a slice of Norwegian brown cheese (a nod to my Danish mormor, who used to give us that same sweet, caramel-like cheese when we were children). Every bite carried a sense of hygge and nostalgia, the kind that wraps around you like a soft blanket and reminds you of family and belonging.

For the main course, I shared a family recipe passed down through generations : grated apple and chicken curry. My friends were both intrigued and surprised by the dish, and delighted to find how beautifully the apple’s subtle sweetness balanced the spice. It was one of those meals that sparked conversation, laughter, and second helpings, as all good dishes should.

Dessert was a showstopper (and my personal favourite) a rich brownie raspberry cheesecake crowned with delicate, hand-crafted apple roses. It was as much a feast for the eyes as it was for the taste buds, and it felt like the perfect way to close the evening. Surrounded by the gentle glow of candlelight, the hum of conversation, and the beauty of friendship, the night became more than just a dinner, it was a celebration of simple pleasures, shared memories, and the magic that happens when people gather with love and intention.