Five Ways to Prepare for the First Day of Winter

It’s almost the first day of winter and, I have to admit, I’m more of a fan of spring than winter. Because of that, I have to steel myself for the cold weather ahead.

Grab a cup of hot chocolate and get ready for my five ways to prepare for Old Man Winter.

1. Pile It On

When the temperature drops, I scatter blankets and quilts throughout the house.

I pile pillows and blankets on our couch.

I love settling into the couch, surrounded by soft pillows and covered by a warm blanket. The kids and I read books or watch movies all snuggled together here. It almost feels like we are hibernating for the winter.

It’s not just the couch where I stash blankets and quilts. Every chair in our living room has a throw over its back.

And we have a basket of beloved quilts and other throws right behind the couch.

I also put extra quilts and comforters on the beds, for added warmth.

I love to bury myself under blankets and quilts when the weather is cold outside.

As a safety precaution, I also put a warm blanket in the trunk or back of my car. That way, if I have car trouble, I will have something to cover me and keep me warm until I can get help.

2. Toasty Feet

If you have hardwood or tile floors, consider adding a rug to the floor.

The rug makes the room feel more cozy and keeps your feet off the cold floor.

3. Light A Fire

As soon as the temperature drops, I want a fire in our fireplace. Instant warmth and coziness.

If you use your fireplace frequently, make sure you have your chimney inspected each season for creosote build-up. Do that in the fall so that you are ready for a fire (and s’mores!) when winter comes calling.

4. Gather the Gear

As soon as the temperature drops, my kids start searching for their hats, gloves, and scarves. Having them all in one place by the back door saves a lot of time (and whining) when it’s time to go out into the cold.

No more lost gloves or hats. They’re all in one basket. And, when spring comes, I just put the whole basket back in the closet in storage.

5. Curtain Call

We live in an older, somewhat drafty house. When the temperature drops and the wind blows, I close our curtains to keep out the drafts.

Using light-colored or sheer curtains lets the sunshine in but still blocks any drafts. You can also choose thermal-lined curtains to keep the heat in on cold, wintry days.

Or, you could open the curtains, let the light pour in, and bask in the warm sunshine.

Enjoy your holidays and stay warm!