Ideas for making a COVID winter bearable

[WearyandBleary]

I need some plans to make winter bearable with social distancing etc. I assume it will be much like now. I am dreading christmas without church and carol singing and family occasions.

I’ve been thinking about buying a whole load of festive lights and maybe some posh furry throws. It’s a bit desperate but I need ideas. Anyone got any plans or suggestions?

I am expert at social distancing in the winter, I usually hide away from all the winter illnesses and avoid being around people so I’m not really going to miss much. I will be stocking up on nice pj’s, fluffy blankets and crafting items.

I’m going to make gifts for people (food items, possibly craft items).

I walk a lot and will continue to do so in the winter, exercise is important as well as good food.

We went along to Christmas in the church hall last year also (ostensibly to help out,but we had a very nice time. The kids wanted to do it, and actually were a great hit).

I don't think we will be doing that this year, because of covid and cross-infection risks.

Neither will there be church services or carols.

I am thinking teams of people going round with dinners and/or foodboxes of treats on Christmas Day.

I am also wondering how to get around the carols thing. I have some ideas (always dangerous)

We have 3 out 4 grandparents shielding (and the 4th in effect shielding). Our plan is to pull the kids out of school early, then self isolate for 2 weeks so we can visit with them safely over Christmas. Other than that log fires and Christmas baking and virtual Christmas visiting. Outdoor activities and time to do all the crafts/make all the models we never had a chance to make.

We are also making a big list of things we miss to do next year/look forward to.

Things we do in the autumn/winter:
-Trip to see the autumn leaves
-Buy bulbs to plant in pots for spring
-Grow winter lettuce in the garden
-Go for a pumpkin spice latte and a walk
-See the Christmas illuminations (if they’re still on)
-Visit the pumpkin patch (if it’s open) and carve our pumpkins
-When it’s windy we’ll go out and fly our kite
-Cook veggie stew and apple pie
-Make an autumn wreath
-Star gazing (great for kids when it gets dark early)
-Afternoon tea at home (we bake all the cakes)

Autumn also has lots of special days that we enjoy. Our neighbour celebrates Diwali and has shared some traditional recipes that we enjoy cooking. Last year we made sugar skulls for Day of the Dead. We cook an American style Thanksgiving dinner with pumpkin pie. Hot dogs and toffee apples for Bonfire Night. We always make Elvis sandwiches for Elvis’s birthday in January. Etc.

Sadly we won’t be trick or treating this year, or answering the door. I’m afraid we definitely wouldn’t eat food left on the doorstep by a stranger, even under normal circumstances.

National trust places are usually good at Christmas. The houses will be shut I'm sure which house all the fancy displays and big trees but the grounds are usually beautifully decorated. We usually go at dusk for tea and cake and then walk around looking at the lights. I wonder if they will focus even more on the outsides this year?

We love Halloween but trick or treating will be off I'm sure. It's a Saturday this year so planning on autumnal walk, maybe NT if they do a spooky trail and then some sort of treat trail around the house in the dark 🤣, spooky films and a party tea. Things might be different but we can still have fun.

I will really miss bonfire night though. Not a lot can be done to replace a firework display ☹️

Yes I’ll miss firework displays too! I wonder if they may do them and people watch from afar?!! Although I must say 1/2 the ones we’ve planned to go to have been cancelled anyway because of rain or wind!!

There are some great events happening at Kentwell Hall this Summer/Autumn/Winter, they always have brilliant stuff on and covid doesn’t seem to be stopping them, they’re just all outside now.

A lot of the outdoors events/ venues we go to are still running as well, but with limited capacity - actually works better for us as the DC are still small and it's easier to keep an eye on them, but obviously it all impacts their money coming in I've already had some emails about Halloween events but again, it's all booking ahead and (in some cases) prices have increased, which I understand but makes it less affordable for us to actually go!

I'm hoping to re-use a lot of the smaller suppliers I bought Christmas presents from last year, rather than relying on Amazon; does mean I have to be more organised though

Christ what a miserable existence it’s going to be. The doom mongers and miserable fuckers on MN will love it.

About the only consolation I can think of is that time passes quickly and we’ll be in spring before we know it. It’s already been the best part of half a year tolerating this crap.

It’s going to be fine, it’ll just be a bit home-made, that’s all.

Look on it as an opportunity for creating a magical winter grotto of your front garden rather then neon santa, or the year to breakfast out every Saturday and Sunday.

Or order proper newspapers and spend mornings in bed

I'm making the house extra cosy for autumn / winter with rugs, new lamps, cushions and rugs. I've discovered the term hygge and getting into it.

Also planning to do more activities not based around soft plays / parties etc so puzzles, baking, movies, crafts etc.

I'm a teacher so back at work soon but not 100% that I won't end up working from home again at some point. Even if just due to ill child etc so making sure I have a comfortable and cosy work area.

I'm already buying art & craft things on the excuse that if there's a winter lockdown, they'll keep me sane; & DH is about to buy a few books for winter.

I've decided to make a harvest festival display/flower arrangement at home when the time comes (I used to do church arrangements & I miss them).

Can I repeat the request from someone early in the thread, to know how to get a traditional church incense smell at home? I've never managed the charcoal burning version.

Refreshing this thread feeling bit meh today so decided to start making some autumn winter plans mostly at home but some trips out to nt gardens etc. Heard they are planning on doing even more lovely garden trails with pretty lights etc. Trying to think of this as a chance to have the hygge winter season i have always secretly dreamed of!

Well. At least you will have a ton of time to do elf on the shelf

Oh sh*t forgot about elfie!