MUJI Cuckoo Clock, White, Medium

I was looking online for an inexpensive cuckoo clock, since I don’t want to deal with the maintenance, cost, and commitment that goes into owning an artfully-handcrafted German one. (We have a modern grandfather clock, and even THAT is a chore.) Predictably, every fake cuckoo clock I looked at appeared to be pretty awful.This modern-minimalist one by Muji caught my eye, however, because it strongly reminded me of a modern plastic cuckoo clock I adored back in college (which tragically, inexplicably MELTED in storage). I showed it to my husband, who really liked it, so I added it to my Amazon “gift ideas” list.I surprised him with the clock for Christmas, to hang in his den, and he was happy but also… confused. (He’s easy to shop for because his memory is terrible.) Setup was easy — once you’ve read the instructions, that is — and I feel like it keeps really good time. It has this warm, organic-sounding toot — NOT a digital toot! — generated by air being pushed through a bellows.I bought it on the strength of its glowing Amazon reviews, but I really could not have anticipated how MUCH we’d all enjoy this clock. “Charming and delightful,” my husband says. When it toots on the hour, our cat runs in to come watch, her adorable “kill it” eyes wide and sparkling. It is the cutest thing.This clock already feels like a part of our family, which is such a strange thing to feel about an inanimate object. (“To steal a line from Marie Kondo, that clock sparks joy,” my husband said tonight.)I’m planning to buy another one for a friend who is reclusive and who really likes modern design, minimalism, and Japanese stuff (and Muji stuff, specifically). This clock is so oddly comforting and reassuring, and it makes such nice company. It’s a “companion” timepiece sure to “warm up” any family room.P.S. I got through this whole review without once uttering the word “hygge,” which is a major achievement for me. If you know what that is, though, this clock IS hygge.