10 Ways to Make the Most of the Extra Day This Leap Year
This month, we all get an extra 24 hours to play with, so make the most of it by luxuriating indoors
It may fall on a Monday this time, but 29 February gives us all an extra day to enjoy, so don’t waste the additional hours by stacking the dishwasher or putting out the bins. Instead, make sure you find time to enjoy yourself at home by doing all those lovely things you long to do, but never make time for.
Revel in a duvet day
Given the prospect of an extra day, for free, there’s one thing at the top of many an exhausted person’s list – and that’s remaining tucked up in bed, in your toastiest PJs, and catching up on some shut-eye.
To prepare for a Leap Day bed-in, get your room in tip-top order. You need your most billowy duvet, fattest cushions and plumpest pillows for maximum comfort, while chocolate, endless cups of tea, juicy thrillers, and movies streaming on your tablet can only add to the experience.
Given the prospect of an extra day, for free, there’s one thing at the top of many an exhausted person’s list – and that’s remaining tucked up in bed, in your toastiest PJs, and catching up on some shut-eye.
To prepare for a Leap Day bed-in, get your room in tip-top order. You need your most billowy duvet, fattest cushions and plumpest pillows for maximum comfort, while chocolate, endless cups of tea, juicy thrillers, and movies streaming on your tablet can only add to the experience.
Rearrange your furniture
Bored with your sofa by the window? How about moving your dining room chairs into the lounging area? Or what about changing your cushions around? Leap Day is the perfect time to rethink the furniture arrangements in your home and decide if they might work far better in a completely different permutation. It can make a dramatic difference and, of course, costs nothing.
Bored with your sofa by the window? How about moving your dining room chairs into the lounging area? Or what about changing your cushions around? Leap Day is the perfect time to rethink the furniture arrangements in your home and decide if they might work far better in a completely different permutation. It can make a dramatic difference and, of course, costs nothing.
Get baking
Do you drool over TV cooking shows and recipe books, and lust after gorgeous pictures of muffins on Instagram, but never get around to doing any actual baking? No more excuses. This Leap Day, it’s time to raid the supermarket’s baking aisle, dig out your best silicone cupcake cases and mixing bowls, get out your whisk and piping bags – and bake.
Do you drool over TV cooking shows and recipe books, and lust after gorgeous pictures of muffins on Instagram, but never get around to doing any actual baking? No more excuses. This Leap Day, it’s time to raid the supermarket’s baking aisle, dig out your best silicone cupcake cases and mixing bowls, get out your whisk and piping bags – and bake.
Enjoy a movie marathon
OK, we might not all have a private home cinema like this plush set-up, but there’s nothing like snuggling up and watching favourite old movies, be it Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid or Back to the Future. And thanks to the amazing march of new technology, you don’t even need a permanent, all-singing, all-dancing projector any more.
These days, you can buy smart mini-projection devices that fit onto your smartphone or tablet, and any bare wall can do the job as a screen. Popcorn at the ready…
OK, we might not all have a private home cinema like this plush set-up, but there’s nothing like snuggling up and watching favourite old movies, be it Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid or Back to the Future. And thanks to the amazing march of new technology, you don’t even need a permanent, all-singing, all-dancing projector any more.
These days, you can buy smart mini-projection devices that fit onto your smartphone or tablet, and any bare wall can do the job as a screen. Popcorn at the ready…
Venture into the garden
It’s the end of February and there’s still a nip in the air – but spring is nearly here and the daffodils are already out. That means it’s time to unlock the back door and embrace your garden.
There’s something bracing and uplifting about getting outside in the cold, especially now the days are getting lighter. If you have an outdoor fire pit, chiminea or a splendid fireplace like this one, light it up, put on some baked potatoes, grab a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows, wrap up in some fluffy blankets, and revel in that cosy outdoors feeling you can only get in winter.
Be inspired by these cosy terraces with fabulous fire pits
It’s the end of February and there’s still a nip in the air – but spring is nearly here and the daffodils are already out. That means it’s time to unlock the back door and embrace your garden.
There’s something bracing and uplifting about getting outside in the cold, especially now the days are getting lighter. If you have an outdoor fire pit, chiminea or a splendid fireplace like this one, light it up, put on some baked potatoes, grab a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows, wrap up in some fluffy blankets, and revel in that cosy outdoors feeling you can only get in winter.
Be inspired by these cosy terraces with fabulous fire pits
Say yes to afternoon tea
Afternoon tea in a posh hotel is a lovely idea, but how often do most of us get around to doing it? Not often, more than likely, which is why it’s perfect to create your own at-home version for Leap Day.
Even if you don’t have a splendid silver service, as seen here in this pinkalicious room, get out your favourite tea cups, warm the pot and lay on the cupcakes, macaroons and mini cucumber sandwiches.
Discover stylish ways to use pink
Afternoon tea in a posh hotel is a lovely idea, but how often do most of us get around to doing it? Not often, more than likely, which is why it’s perfect to create your own at-home version for Leap Day.
Even if you don’t have a splendid silver service, as seen here in this pinkalicious room, get out your favourite tea cups, warm the pot and lay on the cupcakes, macaroons and mini cucumber sandwiches.
Discover stylish ways to use pink
Write a diary
Yes, we know you have urgent paperwork to catch up on, but today is not the day to do it. The benefits of keeping a journal are many, not least because it will give you a glimpse into what you were thinking and doing in 2016 in years to come.
Choose to write your diary in a beautiful, hand-stitched notebook or simply on your laptop. Experts say the simple act of writing a daily gratitude list can increase happiness, so start compiling one.
Yes, we know you have urgent paperwork to catch up on, but today is not the day to do it. The benefits of keeping a journal are many, not least because it will give you a glimpse into what you were thinking and doing in 2016 in years to come.
Choose to write your diary in a beautiful, hand-stitched notebook or simply on your laptop. Experts say the simple act of writing a daily gratitude list can increase happiness, so start compiling one.
Propose to your loved one (possibly)
The idea that a woman should only propose to her partner on a Leap Day is a tad out of date. I say propose if you like, whatever your gender or partnership, or equally decide to stay happily unhitched. But whichever way your heart lies, it’s always a good idea to inject a little romance into your home, whether that’s with red roses, a candlelit dinner or some very pink drinks.
The idea that a woman should only propose to her partner on a Leap Day is a tad out of date. I say propose if you like, whatever your gender or partnership, or equally decide to stay happily unhitched. But whichever way your heart lies, it’s always a good idea to inject a little romance into your home, whether that’s with red roses, a candlelit dinner or some very pink drinks.
Create a window seat
Window seats are places to watch the world go by, and sitting in the sunshine is essential now that spring is tiptoeing ever closer. Simply move a bench, pouffe or armchair next to your French doors, or opt for something more bespoke and fitted. Every good home deserves a window seat, so consider where yours could be.
Fancy having a window seat? Check out these ideas
TELL US…
What, if anything, are you planning to do with your bonus 24 hours? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
Window seats are places to watch the world go by, and sitting in the sunshine is essential now that spring is tiptoeing ever closer. Simply move a bench, pouffe or armchair next to your French doors, or opt for something more bespoke and fitted. Every good home deserves a window seat, so consider where yours could be.
Fancy having a window seat? Check out these ideas
TELL US…
What, if anything, are you planning to do with your bonus 24 hours? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
The revival of vinyl is one of the biggest trends in music at the moment. There’s nothing quite like putting on a proper record: the ritual of lowering the needle and the warm, authentic sound it makes, including the occasional crackle. Whether your taste is classical, blues, jazz or rock, get out your old player (or hunt down a new one), and indulge aurally.