After weeks of below ten-degree temperatures and a Nor’easter that hit on a weekend, embracing winter has become a necessity. You can find inspiration on how to beat the winter blues by looking to the season’s experts. Most notably the Scandinavians who have given winter naysayers hope by following the customs of hygge.
Hygge is an attention to comfort and bringing warmth into the home that resurfaces every winter on illustrated social media posts of a steaming mug of cocoa, fireplaces, and cute mittens. Customs that could be more accurately defined as a guide to winter survival.
5 winter customs to enjoy until winters end
- Ice skating: Not just a few rounds in a rink exercise, with the kind of temperatures we’ve experienced this winter, local ponds and inlets have turned into ice cube trays. This means more than free ice skating despite missing out the closing show of watching the Zamboni smooth away the nicks. Skating outdoors is more of an event. Thermoses are filled with hot chocolate. Blankets are packed. You can even bring the dog if they’re an agile breed and won’t dodge other ice skaters. At the pond, you must scout out the right place to launch into the ice. Also keep in mind that there are hazards, like twigs embedded in the ice that could cause a tumble. You’ll also connect with fellow neighbors and share the wonders of winter.
- Baking: If anyone’s seen the inventory of supermarket shelves this week, baking and creating food from scratch is not only an enjoyable activity but a necessity. Transform basic ingredients into culinary delights. Enlist family members to make it more fun.
- Leisure activities: Have a game night, start sewing, a science project, or a magic show, which makes being snowed in more eventful. Other ideas are to produce a play or concert. Recite poems. Or share a canvas and everyone contribute to the art.
- The wonders of snow: Make a snow to do list and check off every activity by February’s end. Here’s our task list: Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, snowball fights, build an igloo or, even better, a living area into the snow if it’s deep end. Are all your neighbor’s driveways in need of a plow? Start an entrepreneurial activity for your kids and have shovel driveways for a fair rate. They will have fun outside, learn business skills, and be pleasantly exhausted once the task is complete.
- Binge-watch: Find a new show you’ve always wanted to watch. The new season of Ozark could not have come at a more opportune time. Start early because these riveting episodes are addictive.
