by Ann Marie Stratton - December 15, 2021

8 Tips for Achieving Coziness During Winter

Colder weather doesn’t have to mean a drab indoor life. As winter is fast approaching, you may wish you could just hibernate until spring — and that may be more true than ever this year. But there is joy to be found in the quieter months of the year. I myself believe that any excuse to add feeling ultra-cozy is definitely something to look forward to! If you’d like mix things up, here are a few ideas to channel some self care and make a delightful day out of drab weather.

Looking for a cozy new home?

1. Set the mood

Candles or wax melts are a key ingredient to a supremely comfortable atmosphere. Not only do they provide beautiful, soft lighting, they also add warmth and scent to your space.

Tip: Choose seasonal scents to inspire your holiday spirit or choose a lively scent, such as citrus or floral, to help combat the seasonal blues.

2. Bake something

Comfort food is central to the cozy experience. But it doesn’t just begin when you eat your favorite baked good — it begins when you imagine the creation.

Spend time being mindful through the entire baking process. Look through your favorite cookbook or website, choose your ingredients carefully, and mix them with care, taking your time to enjoy the task at hand. It’s just a bonus that your baking will flood your space with delicious smells — and taste good too.

Tip: Reach out to a friend or family member who always has the best baked item. Ask them if they could show you how to work out their spectacular skills. You can set up a video call if you’re not able to meet in person.

3. Add texture

Plush throws, sheepskins and cushions make for a much more inviting space. Really any kind of cozy material that you are excited to curl up in. Cover your surfaces in as many luxurious fabrics and pillows as you can find and snuggle down.

Tip: Feel free to go faux, or if cost prohibits, find inexpensive alternatives.

4. Get out the board games

Spend time with the people you live with or connect with some of your neighbors and gather around the table for some old-fashioned fun. Whether you go for the competitive strategy variety or laugh-out-loud social games, there are options for everyone. For the minimalists among us, even a deck of cards can offer plenty of entertainment.

Tip: Looking for remote gaming options? There are many online group gaming apps, and many people have come up with creative ways to play the classics via Zoom as well. Start up a game and maintain your connections year-round!

5. Perfect your hot drink game

Hot cocoa, hot toddies, apple cider, mulled wine — pick your poison. Whatever it is, find your own special recipe that is so delicious you can’t wait to show it off. Host a virtual happy hour and share it with family and friends.

Tip: Why, yes, you can put whiskey in those drinks. But it’s usually a good idea to perfect a mocktail version, too, for those who don’t imbibe.

6. Embrace sweater weather

If you don’t already have a favorite sweater, it’s time to find one. It should be something that makes you feel at home when you slip it on. Cashmere, wool, mohair — anything will do. Whatever you choose, pair it with thick socks!

Tip: Find some beginner books or tutorials and try your hand at knitting, crocheting or weaving, and make your own sweater over the course of the winter. Find an online knitting circle for tips and encouragement.

7. Curate your cold-outside playlist

Make yourself a mix of music that inspires you to do all those things that make you feel absolutely endeared to your space. Put it on shuffle, relax, repeat.

Tip: Instrumentals are classics for a reason — they can work as background for just about anything. When in doubt, most music services have premade playlists, some of which you can filter by mood.

8. Do seasonal activities

Making caramel apples? Check. Working on (or giving up on) your New Year’s resolutions? Check. Canning, puddle jumping, snowball throwing, signs-of-spring spotting? Check!

Tip: Whatever your favorite seasonal activities might be, create a plan to make them happen — put it on your calendar, set a reminder on your phone, or find an “accountability partner” (a friend or family member who will give you the nudge you need), and feel the magic of even the most blah weather wash over you.