I think we can all agree that this winter has been c-o-l-d. And it’s been cold pretty much no matter where you live, except maybe Florida or California. Personally, I live for the summer months. Warm weather is where it’s at as far as I’m concerned, so I have to work a little harder to make winter more enjoyable. But it’s possible to enjoy winter with a little extra effort. Here are some ideas about how to stay cheerful, make the most of the season, and enjoy winter more!
*This post is not sponsored. But it probably should be.
Add lamps to your home.
Lamps cast a warm, comforting glow in any room. Since it gets dark so early in winter (ugh!), lamps can help to brighten things up a bit. Turning them on keeps you from sitting in the dark or coming home to a dark house. Plus, you can avoid turning on a full-blown overhead light if you’ve got a couple lamps on. Several of the ones I have came from Kirkland’s, one of my favorite home decor stores!
Cozy up with some throws.
Throws help you get cozy on the couch, but they’re also adorable decor for your living room or bedroom. Plus, covering up with throws lets you avoid turning the heat up. I have a Bedsure throw that is so super warm, and you can get one like the one I have from Amazon.
Watch new movies or find a show you love.
During the summer, I enjoy sitting on my front porch. But since I’m inside more in the winter, I like to catch up on movies I’ve been wanting to see, discover a new show I can’t stop watching, or rewatch a show I know I love. (Friends, anyone?) Also, Hulu prices are coming down. I know! I was shocked, too. Hulu’s worth getting if for no other reason than for Seinfeld.
Light a candle.
I love candles! They add a slight glimmer to a small space with their little flame, but they fill up a room and beyond with their warm, yummy smells. Yankee Candle beats all in my opinion. Their scents are always strong enough to fill a room! (And if I’m going to light a candle, I want to know it’s lit.)
Bake some goods!
Besides the fact that baking is just fun, it’s definitely a winter month kind of activity. And it doesn’t hurt that the oven warms up the house. The Southern Baker has easy recipes, difficult recipes, recipes with lots of ingredients, and others with not as many. If you don’t feel like using a cookbook, grab a box of brownies and bake them! They usually have ways to embellish them on the back of the box, too.
Add color where you can.
Since we don’t get a ton of color outside (no trees, flowers, or, sometimes, sun), it’s important that we bring some color inside. You can do this by adding bright colored welcome mats, fun decor pieces, artificial or real flowers to any space. (You can get cheap flowers at grocery stores year round.) Or use the throws or candles you’re buying to liven up a room!
Open your windows and let some light in.
Even though the sky may be gray, real light (rather than artificial light) helps brighten a room and brighten a mood.
Try different types of coffee.
I usually buy Folgers or Kroger brand coffee because I know I like them. But I was gifted a few different brands of coffee this year, so I’ve used them this winter, which has been fun. I also have a French press that I like to use on weekends when I can really enjoy the process of using it. And if you’re a tea drinker, same goes for you! Try some new brands and new flavors for something so seasonally appropriate. I’ve tried Dutch Brothers and Giving Grounds Coffee, and they have my stamp of approval.
Enjoy your pajamas.
If you know me at all, you know I love me some fuzzy pajamas. If I don’t have plans on a Saturday, I’ll stay in them until I absolutely have to get ready! And those are some of my favorite, relaxing days. But I definitely enjoy staying in my pajamas more in the winter than in summer. My favorite fuzzies are Vera Wang.
Use lovely smelling lotions.
Winter takes the moisture out of our skin, so we have to replenish, replenish, replenish! I would suggest using a lotion that’s as fragrance-free as possible to do the actual replenishing, but then douse some scented lotion on for a perfume-like effect. You’ll enjoy getting small wifts of whatever fragrance you picked out. Bath & Body Works always comes through for some lotions.
Plan something (or several somethings) to look forward to.
Since we have to spend a lot of time inside during winter, it’s important to make it a point to have something to look forward to. Go out to eat with a group, have a friend come over for a night in, get tickets to a concert, or spend some time planning a vacation. Knowing you have plans helps brighten those not-so-bright days. If you’re feeling adventurous, get on TripAdvisor and see what restaurants or events are nearby that you haven’t tried.
Bundle up and get outside!
Even though the weather can be super cold, every now and then you probably get a not-so-brutal day. Strap on some boots, layer up with fleece-lined everything, don a beanie, and get out for a walk! Breathing in some fresh air and enjoying God’s beautiful creation will just do your spirit some good.
Well, I hope these 12 ideas will help cheer up the cold days and get you to the warmer ones! What do you do to make the winter more enjoyable? I’d love to hear!