Winter Essentials
Winter is officially here. It may not feel like it quite yet down here in Tennessee, but on the calendar, it’s wintertime.
Winter tends to be a harsh season, with all the cold temperatures, the snow and everything else that comes with it. Dry skin and frozen toes are about as common as colds. Plus, everything is gray because all the plants and trees have died or lost their leaves. It’s just kind of depressing.
I know when the first day of winter hits–whether by calendar or by Mother Nature–my first thought is usually, “Well, here come the longest four months of the year.” Spring feels farther away with each snowfall and sub-freezing day. When will it ever end?!
But fear not! You can make it through winter! You just need to gather your winter essentials and have them on hand for whenever the winter blues strike (or when you otherwise need them).
Here are my absolute essentials for surviving the winter!
A warm scarf // Or three. I’m addicted to scarves, and once the weather gets cold and stays cold, I wear a scarf every single day. My recent obsession is this amazing plaid blanket scarf that I picked up at a local boutique. But my five-year-old $5 classic plaid steal from Forever21 will always hold a special place in my heart.
Gloves // Preferably ones that let me use my iPhone without taking them off. My hands tend to be way colder than normal in the winter months, so gloves are a must. I learned several years ago that cheap gloves aren’t worth saving the extra dollars. Invest in a good, thick pair that will keep your hands warm. Now that smartphones are so prevalent, there are gloves that have special touch-screen sensors so you don’t have to take your gloves off to use your phone.
Thick, fuzzy socks // My feet are like my hands; they’re always cold, but in the winter, it gets worse. Fortunately thick, soft socks are easy to find, and usually in some really cute patterns and colors, and affordable. I found two awesome pairs of fuzzy socks at Target for $2.50 each. Actually I bought one pair, and then loved them so much I bought another pair. They’re great.
Lip balm // My lips always take a toll when it gets colder. I’m a huge fan of Chapstick and I keep it basically everywhere I could possibly need it. It’s that important.
Emergen-C // I always get some kind of cold or sore throat this time of year, or any time the seasons change. Loading up on vitamin C helps keep that at bay. Emergen-C powder is my weapon of choice. There are tons of different flavors and varieties that I can switch it up each time I need it.
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Plenty of warm beverages // Mainly tea and coffee, but I’ll take hot chocolate and apple cider, too. My current tea obsession is the Tazo Joy. It’s seasonal, so I stocked up on a few tins the first time I saw it at Target. Other times, a nice cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows or whipped cream is just what I need to get cozy at night before bed.
Hand warmers // You know those little orange ones you can get in the $1 bin at Target? Yeah, I stock up on those as soon as I see them. They’re so nice to grab and take with me whenever I’m going to be outside in the cold for an extended period of time. They also make little foot warmers, which keep my toes nice and toasty.
Lots of new books and movies // When cabin fever sets in after days of icky (and sometimes dangerous) weather have kept me inside, I always look for things to keep me entertained at home. Books, movies, easy crafts, one-person games and other little activities are great for cold days and nights at home. Or, you know, blogging and blog-related things are good, too.
Winter is a long season–or at least it always seems long to me. But having these essentials around my apartment make it not seem so long, and make it easier to get through those cold, gray and (sometimes) snowy days.
So, tell me: What do you always have on hand to survive the winter months? What are YOUR winter essentials?
