To ask what "little things" help get you through the less exciting winter months?

[Ilovepearjuice]

In particular, January and February?

I'm definitely a person affected by the long, dark, cold evenings. Once the festivities and twinkly lights of Christmas and New Year is over, I always go through a very glum period and Jan/Feb seem to drag on forever.

Please may I ask what little things you do to get you through those winter blues? What brings you joy? Trips away, purchases, activities... Anything!

I want to make a list in advance and plan ahead, so that I know I always have something to make me feel good and hopefully others too!

I have an AuroraWatch app on my phone that pings when there is a high chance of seeing the Aurora. If it goes off of an evening and the skies look clear Mr Grombles and I fill our flasks with tea and head out for a drive. We live in the country side and we go on a hunt for the northern lights.

For Burns night, either go to friends/family for a big Burns supper or book a supper out with a ceilidh.

Light candles every night without fail. I've also taken to keeping the Christmas tree lights up for January. The tree goes away but the lights go round the fireplace. We also light the wood burner for cosy nights in and have a projector for watching movies rather than a telly.

And... I'm a bit evangelical about this one but... Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser!

Fresh flowers. Daffs and tulips, and pots of hyacinths. I am still WFH half time and last year had a glorious pot of hyacinths on the kitchen table where I sit. (That might have been into March actually.) The daffodils tend to be £1 a bunch and I had them on the mantelpiece and in the hearth, plus a fancy jam jar type thing on the bathroom windowsill. Instant sunshine!

Maybe you enjoy making something.let your creativity shine,it will lift your spirit.

After the clocks went back I started my thing from last winter of burning a scented candle in the room I work in at home. Gives a nice sense of cosiness.

I splashed out on a 'bike desk' last winter (as I saved so much money from not being able to go anywhere) so in those really chilly, claustrophobic months I could get some exercise. I haven't used it as much the last 3 or 4 months but I expect I'll use it more in Jan/Feb/March again.

I have a similar "pampernation" for Jan/Feb.

I try to save box sets of tv series I love.

Then, on an evening/weekend, I get a hot water bottle, favourite blanket or warm pj's and I watch the box set.
Sometimes I'll get my favourite foods in too.
Make it special, after reading this thread, I may leave the fairy lights on.

I have also been known to do whole beauty regimes in the winter months.

For example, I'll grow my eyebrows out and then book a threading end if Feb.
Or, I'll aim to improve my skin, so plan a course of face masks, exfoliating things.
One year I even tried that gold thing to see if it improved wrinkles.

I live in a more temperate climate than the UK, so our winters aren't 'bleak' per se. But we can still feel the winter doldrums with the short days and cold (to us) weather. We love to take 'snow drives' to perk ourselves up. We live in the foothills of the Sierras and on the first sunny day after a good snowfall we take our 4WD 'up the hill' to a cute little (tourist) town for lunch and window shopping. Nothing like seeing the 'snow sparkles' in the trees and on the side of the road and stomping around in the brisk cold air.

This thread is like a cosy comfort blanket. I know I'll keep coming back to it and re-reading these great ideas over the coming months. Thanks to everyone for your contributions so far!

Baked Camembert and red wine 🐷

As much as l enjoy Christmas, l won't lie, l am always a little bit glad when it is over for another year and l can read all the lovely new books l got for Christmas without having to commit to nights out "because it's Christmas!" Cos everyone is ski t in January!

And book a trip for half term week!

@LadyCampanulaTottington

I keep the twinkly lights up for Jan and Feb. I take down all of the decorations but leave the lights in the living room. Snuggling on the sofa with the twinkling lights and a few candles is lovely.

This

Watching with interest, great thread.

@Lagomtransplant

January is a Hygge season for me. I put the Christmas stuff away, but keep the Fairy lights out, keep candles everywhere, lots of blankets and furry (faux, of course) cushions, knitwear fest, coffee on tap, cinnamon rolls stash in the freezer (tastes yummy and makes the house smell like heaven while it bakes), lots of bath bombs and just appreciating coziness. I let it roll until valentines, when you can already see the days getting a wee bit longer. It's my pampernation (pamper+hybernation) time.

Completely agree with this. January is the month to take extra care of yourself. It's a tough one. Bollocks to all the punishing New Years resolutions! It's a month for taking things easy and enjoying the small pleasures that get you through.

Every time I see Hygge, I think of Hygge Tygge

Yes I’d like to know where is hot in February half term. I’m not a fan of a beach holiday unless it’s a minimum of 25 degrees

Oh and this is also the time of year that I bring out the tiny hot water bottle I bought for my cat. I fill it every night and pop it in her favourite cardboard box. She loves it. Very cosy.

Line up a craft project (I am knitting a blanket at the moment). Plan stuff to bake - line up a couple of recipes that you don't normally do and do them- plus you get to eat them. Get a book you really want at Xmas and read in January under a copy blanket

Another vote for a Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser. Mine is 3 years old this Christmas!

Longest night is over and the world is turning. The light stays just a little longer every day, and then the clocks go forward.

@DrManhattan

Every time I see Hygge, I think of Hygge Tygge

D'aw, thanks!

Long country walks. Mud is an issue I won't lie, but I'd go mad if I didn't get the daylight. It makes me believe that spring will come back one day, even if it feels impossible in January. And booking our next summer holiday. I even write a packing list

worriedandannoyed it's a beautiful time of the year to go. We've been going for 20 years, only had bad weather twice. Usually its 25 ish, the sea is warm and the sun is still hot.

Winter holidays, weekends away in nice hotels and meditation/ Pilates routines to clear up my mood.

Ever day in January gets lighter - the worst is over really helps me in combination with all the cosy ideas on this thread. By Feb it’s a whole hour lighter than at Christmas and by March it’s light until 5.45ish. I look for the glimmers of hope! I find November much worse when the days get shorter and shorter!

Hollyhead I'm just the same.

Last year I did the "100 days of walking" challenge at lunchtime. It's a stroll rather than a walk for me but it's good just to get some daylight. Planning to do the same again this year.
I also save up tv programmes, jigsaws, books and go for dinner at least once somewhere nice as they usually have January specials.