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Original poster

Is anyone planning on "wintering"?

129 replies

user746016 · 04/01/2025 11:50

I'm taking down some of the decorations but have decided to keep up some fairly lights and candles and some of the decorations that are more wintery than overtly christmassy. It always feels so bare when everything comes down and it makes the house look cheerful in the cold dark months.

I have also planted some indoor bulbs which are doing well so will hopefully provide some glimpses of spring.

Lots of fires, cosy blankets and books to see us through.

Any other nice ideas to keep the winter feeling cheerful rather than bleak?

OP posts:
EducatingArti · 04/01/2025 13:24

My rough rule is, anything with Santa, stockings, elves, Christmas tree angels on is Christmas, greenery, berries, snow scenes, candles are wintery and can stay.

Crazybaby123 · 04/01/2025 13:25

I have just tsken everything doen and cleaned. I sas sick of bits of wrapping paper, boxes, toys, glitter and feberal xmas mess so its all gone and I feel great !!

Notaflippinclue · 04/01/2025 13:27

Hour long Netflix crackling fire film is quite therapeutic

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Miffnc · 04/01/2025 13:29

I have fairy lights in my living room all year round.

I'm autistic and can't stand the big light or even a big lamp.

hattie43 · 04/01/2025 13:30

Notaflippinclue · 04/01/2025 13:27

Hour long Netflix crackling fire film is quite therapeutic

I've just discovered this and yes it's lovely

Thejugglestruggle · 04/01/2025 13:40

We have been doing this for a few years, and it makes such a difference. I also always have snowdrop, then daffs, then bluebells in little jars around the house. A bit of "life" in the house in the form of flowers goes a long way over the next 8 weeks!
I also find hearty, nutritional soups help me at this time of year... I used to be all about salads post xmas in my 20s. Ridiculous!
Baths with lovely oils/bubble baths are fab too.
A really rich moisturiser to ward off the dry skin at this point of the year is great.

Whattheduck · 04/01/2025 13:41

I’ve had fairy lights around my fireplace for a few years they add a bit of warmth to the room
We have taken the Christmas decorations down but still have the cushions out they have deers on them so will keep them out for now plus lots of blankets to snuggle under
I have candles in the hallway lounge and dining room

VexedofVirginiaWater · 04/01/2025 13:44

BeaLola · 04/01/2025 13:14

I have a string of the extra long fairy lights from The White Company that frame my patio doors in lounge - they are lightly twisted over curtain pole and a length runs down each wall to floors- they r been up about 12 years and I use them all the time as they really light the space subtly whereas the wall lights even on dim setting are a bit much,

I have lots of different candles, battery lights in small silvery mini pots and a couple of throws to snuggle under. I like to sit in the evenings trouncing DH at Rummikub, doing a puzzle we've put out on coffee table or doing sone colouring . Only things I'm watching on tv are Traitors and Call the Midwife.

I've hyacinths and amaryllis on windowsills

That sounds a good idea, but I am confused as to how I would draw the curtains - what am I missing?

Allschoolsareartschools · 04/01/2025 13:45

Yes yes yes, I'm a massive fan of Wintering. If it's grey & damp then I'm cosying inside with blankets, books, jigsaws. If it's cold & sunny then I'll be out & about.
For anything in-between I'll do a bit of exercise then get cosy again.
It's a little bit of hibernation & recharging & it definitely works for me.

MaloryJingleJones · 04/01/2025 13:49

EducatingArti · 04/01/2025 13:10

In the church calendar it is actually "Christmastide" officially until Candlemas ( 2nd February) and it used to be the tradition to keep all Christmas decorations up until then.
This is my fireplace ( fake greenery) and I I intend to keep it like this till Candlemas

It looks lovely

Winterskyfall · 04/01/2025 13:59

I keep a few non Christmas micro lights up to lift the darkness a little. I've also bought a little mini thermos this year so I can pack some hot soup to have on walks. I'm hoping it will make winter walks more enjoyable to stop midway and warm up from the inside. I find Jan & Feb hard work mentally so I'm trying to change my attitude and find ways to make this time easier and more fun. I'm also going to get Netflix so I have new shows to watch on the very miserable days.

Arraminta · 04/01/2025 14:06

I have fairy lights across the top of our kitchen units, and along the mantle pieces in the living room and study. They're very tiny and strung on fine copper wire so the look is subtle and delicate. Pretty rather than Christmassy.

I love Midwinter so will keep candles lit every evening but have changed scent from TWC Winter to St Eval Bergamot & Nettle. I bought a beautiful gold metal mistletoe garland from John Lewis and have decided to leave that trailing along the radiator shelf in the hall because it looks so lovely.

SongSungBlues · 04/01/2025 14:08

Yes, I’ve just packed away anything overtly ‘Christmassy’ and will switch from red, green & gold, to cream/white candles and clear or white vigil light holders. I have some lovely ‘frosty’ designs.

Pots of bulbs, too. Once we get close to Imbolc/Candlemas (around 1st Feb) I’ll switch again, to include light green and images of snowdrops.

it’s just subtle changes through the seasons that keep things cosy and welcoming. Always candles, though!

TheDowagerCountessofPembroke · 04/01/2025 14:11

We’ve always got lights up on our window sill as I laid them across there after taking the tree down during Covid and they stayed there.

We don’t have a green tree but two of the light up birch trees. We decided to take the decorations off but leave the trees up.

JFDIYOLO · 04/01/2025 14:14

I've taken the door wreath & ivy garlands down (getting old and crispy anyway), and the cards and the tree decorations I put around the room (no tree this year).

I really want to keep the cosy hygge wintry feel tho, so keeping out all the throws, lots of candles, lamps rather than the big light. And the fairy lights are a staying over the bookcase for now.

BeaLola · 04/01/2025 14:54

That sounds a good idea, but I am confused as to how I would draw the curtains - what am I missing?

I never draw the lounge curtains as I like looking out into my little garden (have solar lights out in beds)

It's probably doable by fixing them differently , I just don't need to

Original poster
user746016 · 04/01/2025 16:15

Snowflake tealight holders - staying out. I’ve just also collected some pine cones on the dog walk to replace the baubles in a glass dish on the coffee table.

OP posts:
Andywarholswig · 04/01/2025 17:38

I love this thread, I’ve kept up my star lights on the patio window and put some little LED candles in some holders on the side to brighten up the dark evenings. I am going to get my heated throw and just hibernate for the next few cold nights

garlictwist · 04/01/2025 17:56

We don't have Christmas decorations or a tree but I have fairy lights up all year that I put on when I get up in the morning (I get up at 5am so it's dark for two thirds of the year anyway) and also have constant blankets as I am always cold. I like to be cosy.

LadyRoughDiamond · 04/01/2025 18:10

Have you read Katherine May’s Wintering? I really recommend it as a meditation on how to rest, recuperate and care for yourself during winter. I’ll be trying to eat more nourishing foods, read more, get more sleep and also get outside in the cold to appreciate this time of year.

JFDIYOLO · 04/01/2025 23:35

I read an entire book sitting in Cafe Nero all this afternoon over coffees and cakes, sat on a sofa next to my partner who was drawing on his device. Lovely 🤗

PosiePetal · 04/01/2025 23:39

I always do this, i leave fairy lights over the mantelpiece over winter, I have a garland of red berries I leave up or drape over something, fairy lights permanently up in the kitchen and a couple of bowls and vases with red berries and glittery twigs in them that stay up permanently.

RealHousewifeOfSlough · 04/01/2025 23:44

It is Burns Night soon so definitely leave the reds and greens out and anything tartany.

RosesAndHellebores · 04/01/2025 23:48

Not as such but I always have candles in the winter and we have an open fire in the hall and sitting room and they will blaze away at weekends.

Outside the hellebores, winter jasmine, daphne and vi urnum are in full swing and I will be thrilled when the first bunches of daffs appear in the shops.

I find this period until the third week of Feb very hard.

ginandheels · 05/01/2025 00:20

Hellebores and Daphne also ramping up here, plus bulb tips starting to peep out of garden pots…

Took all the Christmas decs down today, feeling guilty as a bit early but couldn’t face it on the 6th whilst also going back to work. The house now looks and smells amazing and is clean and tidy. And seemingly twice the size.

Candles and greenery remain. Plenty of throws and lamps. Delicious food and drink - nourishing, but no abstinence here. Plenty of Christmas goodies to see us through Jan/Feb - biscuits, chocolate, Christmas cake. Books, movies, board games, TV, podcasts and long baths with the good bath oil. Looking forward to a quieter, contemplative few weeks.