Embrace Winter

Here in Minnesota, the winter season often feels as if it lasts an entire year. Although the cold and snow can make for slippery roads and inconvenient conditions, choosing to embrace winter can bring joy and excitement to this long snowy season. Read on for easy ways to thrive and enjoy winter.

Embrace winter by being prepared

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.”

While the primary suggestion of this Norwegian saying is to get outdoors, it also stresses the importance of proper clothing. Investing in smart, warm winter gear is a game-changer. Quality layers not only make winter adventures more enjoyable but can also improve daily tasks and errands. Even when going for a short walk, the cold bothers me less when I’m properly dressed.

My favorite warm layers for embracing winter.

Smartwool is one of my favorite brands for base layers. Although it’s an expensive option, the quality and performance are great. You only need to invest in a few items because they will last for many years. I love my Smart Wool leggings and long sleeve shirt. I throw these layers on any time I’m looking to stay extra warm. Sometimes I’ll even throw my leggings on under whatever pair of pants I’m wearing that day if I know I’ll be spending extra time outdoors. As for an outer layer, my Colombia brand wind protecting pants are perfect for snowy or rainy days. They are both wind resistant and water-resistant and are an easy layer to throw on before heading outside.

Warm socks and boots are also a must. I’ve tried a variety of wool sock brands and also love Smartwool for socks as well. Again, high-quality products will perform better and should last so they don’t need to be replaced often. Sorel brand shoes are my favorite for all seasons but I especially love my big winter boots. I also have Keen hiking boots that work well when the snow isn’t too deep. Hats and mittens are a must. While cute wool mittens are great, they are not water or windproof. Having at least one pair of warm waterproof gloves or mittens is another great idea.

I have a few different winter jackets based on their function and temperature. Having a really warm jacket for daily wear or a thinner jacket to wear with additional layers so I can add or remove a layer as needed is ideal. I recommend wearing a windproof outer layer and then adding additional layers as needed.

Prepare for all aspects of winter.

The idea of being prepared is also a functional concept for minimizing the pains and struggles of winter. For example, if you’re a homeowner, owning a good shovel or snowblower makes it much easier to quickly remove snow from walkways with minimum disruptions to your day. In addition, make sure to have a good scraper in your car. Also include necessary emergency tools or shovels to help you reach your destinations safely. Again, when you’re warm and toasty in quality winter gear, all of these chores are a little more enjoyable.

Embrace winter by spending time outside

A few years ago I decided to embrace the idea of an “active outdoor winter” and this concept greatly improved my enjoyment of the season. Winter has slowly become my favorite season as I find myself being more intentional about spending time outdoors. With shorter days and more dark hours, sunlight is rare and although many schedules don’t always allow for outdoor activity during the day, making it a priority to spend some time outdoors during the winter is not impossible.

One benefit of the shorter days is that the sunrise and sunset times are later and earlier in the day, respectively. You don’t have to get up as early to catch a beautiful sunrise in the winter. With a fresh blanket of snow, the white landscape creates a beautiful contrast to the brilliant colors of the sunrise and sunset. Make a point to check the predicted time of sunrise or sunset and plan to spend time outdoors (or near a window) to slow down and pause during this time and enjoy the season. This is a great time to get outside and go for a walk or to simply remind yourself to be grateful and embrace this time of year.

Try a new winter activity.

There are so many fun outdoor winter activities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, fat tire biking, sledding, snowboarding, downhill skiing, ice fishing and many more! Although some of these activities can be expensive, there are plenty of affordable ways to invest in gear for winter activities. Check out garage sales in the summer, Craiglist ads during winter or the Facebook market group for any used equipment. I purchased a used pair of cross-country skis for $20. Although they are not exactly the correct size or fancy, they have been instrumental in getting me outside and moving.

Another great option to get outside is to search for local events. Facebook events are a great place to start. Something as simple as enjoying a beer at an outdoor fire pit, attending a local fishing tournament or watching outdoor ice hockey can all be fun forms of entertainment.

Embrace winter by getting cozy

Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is the idea of embracing cozy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life.

Create a cozy winter environment with blankets, warm drinks, and candles. Embrace the dark evenings by intentionally adding alternative sources of light. I love lighting candles and find the winter months to be a great time to embrace the glow and wonderful scent. Check out a variety of hand poured soy candles at Buckingham Avenue Market, where unique handmade candles are created to instill nostalgia with thoughtful fragrances.

Invite friends over for a warm drink like hot chocolate or cider. Try a new flavor or brand of tea. One of my favorite warm drinks is a classic Swedish mulled wine beverage called Glögg. It’s full of delicious spices and is perfect for a chilly evening.

Winter is also a fun time to change up decor by adding extra fluffy, warm and heavy blankets. This is the best time of year to bring out the heavy wool blankets or even purchase a heated electric blanket. Faribault Woolen Mill Co. is local to Minnesota and creates beautiful wool blankets that are perfect for staying warm in the winter. There is nothing better than curling up on the couch with a warm drink and cozy candle-lit environment to enjoy the winter season.

Embrace winter by getting intentional

Winter is filled with many holidays. However, sometimes the Holiday Season can be exhausting. Embrace the season by being intentional. Christmas lights and candles create festive light during the dark hours. Decorating for Christmas can be a fun way to embrace winter and look forward to snow.

Instead of dressing in skimpy dresses and heels and fighting the cold and snow on New Year’s Eve, start a new winter tradition. Spend the evening skiing or snowboarding, go to a local team’s hockey game, plan an evening at home with a party full of food and drinks. Although Christmas and New Years are two commonly celebrated holidays, there are many other holidays during the winter months.

Search for other holidays that you can celebrate. St. Lucia day is a Scandinavian holiday that my family celebrates. This holiday involves baked goods & candlelight, which is perfect for the cozy season. It also serves as a good opportunity to learn more about my family history and Scandinavian background.

I feel so lucky to live in a place where I can experience all four seasons. By making intentional decisions, winter can be an enjoyable time. Although there are plenty of challenges associated with cold temperatures and snow, embracing winter with these tips and suggestions can make a world of difference.