14 Simple Pleasures to Savour This Winter
Amid the season’s bustle, take time to appreciate the little things, such as warm wool slippers and the scent of baking
Stacks of cosy blankets and strings of twinkling lights, apple cake baking in the oven and drinks beside the fire – wintertime is made for savouring simple pleasures at home. Whether you prefer trays of treats or hot, aromatic baths, celebrating the season is easy with these 14 ideas.
Arrange a few beautifully decorated gifts
Wrapping a few presents early saves work later on, to be sure, but that stack of pretty gifts also serves as cheerful holiday décor. The classic combo of brown paper and twine is easy to customise with different embellishments and tags.
Wrapping a few presents early saves work later on, to be sure, but that stack of pretty gifts also serves as cheerful holiday décor. The classic combo of brown paper and twine is easy to customise with different embellishments and tags.
Bake something yummy-smelling
Apple cake, cinnamon rolls, biscuits and breads – some of the most comforting aromas in the world come from the oven.
Don’t bake? Buy ready-to-bake cookie dough or a scone mix, and you can have freshly baked treats (and the wonderful scents wafting from your oven) in minutes.
Apple cake, cinnamon rolls, biscuits and breads – some of the most comforting aromas in the world come from the oven.
Don’t bake? Buy ready-to-bake cookie dough or a scone mix, and you can have freshly baked treats (and the wonderful scents wafting from your oven) in minutes.
Neatly stack firewood and hang a fresh wreath on the door
Who says you can’t enjoy the simple pleasures of a freshly cut stack of firewood just because you don’t have a fireplace? I say, if you want firewood, go ahead and get some!
A stack looks wonderfully cosy beside the front door. And a simple wreath of fresh greenery will look good all season – dress it up with a jingling bell or a string of twinkling lights.
Who says you can’t enjoy the simple pleasures of a freshly cut stack of firewood just because you don’t have a fireplace? I say, if you want firewood, go ahead and get some!
A stack looks wonderfully cosy beside the front door. And a simple wreath of fresh greenery will look good all season – dress it up with a jingling bell or a string of twinkling lights.
Go out to enjoy coming in from the cold
Getting stuck indoors too much in winter can make us grumpy. So even if it’s really cold, bundle up and get outdoors to enjoy the fresh air, the sound of snow crunching underfoot and the dramatic winter sky. And remember, being outside (even if only for a short while) is what makes coming in to warm up so wonderful.
Getting stuck indoors too much in winter can make us grumpy. So even if it’s really cold, bundle up and get outdoors to enjoy the fresh air, the sound of snow crunching underfoot and the dramatic winter sky. And remember, being outside (even if only for a short while) is what makes coming in to warm up so wonderful.
Treat yourself to a new pair of slippers
Stay warm on chilly winter mornings by slipping your feet into a pair of slippers – boiled wool, felt or designs with a fuzzy lining are especially good at keeping cold at bay. While you’re picking out your own slippers, pick up a few extra pairs for guests and stash them in a little basket by the door.
Stay warm on chilly winter mornings by slipping your feet into a pair of slippers – boiled wool, felt or designs with a fuzzy lining are especially good at keeping cold at bay. While you’re picking out your own slippers, pick up a few extra pairs for guests and stash them in a little basket by the door.
Whip up a batch of hot drinks
Hot cider, mulled wine, tea, chai, cocoa – take your pick. This season is all about savouring the hot drink of your choice. When friends come over to visit, whipping up a batch of hot drinks or brewing a big pot of tea is a must. Have on hand a selection of go-to add-ins, such as cinnamon sticks, star anise, sugar cubes and citrus fruits for easy assembly.
Hot cider, mulled wine, tea, chai, cocoa – take your pick. This season is all about savouring the hot drink of your choice. When friends come over to visit, whipping up a batch of hot drinks or brewing a big pot of tea is a must. Have on hand a selection of go-to add-ins, such as cinnamon sticks, star anise, sugar cubes and citrus fruits for easy assembly.
Luxuriate in a really cosy bed
Think flannel sheets, fluffy throws and layered blankets or a thick duvet. Be sure to have enough extra pillows to make reading in bed comfortable, then light a few candles and snuggle in.
Think flannel sheets, fluffy throws and layered blankets or a thick duvet. Be sure to have enough extra pillows to make reading in bed comfortable, then light a few candles and snuggle in.
Cheer every room with a tiny tree
Even if you have a big Christmas tree in the living room, consider putting tiny living trees in pots in the other rooms of the house. This woodsy, wintry addition brings a bit of the forest indoors and is especially magical for a child’s room.
Even if you have a big Christmas tree in the living room, consider putting tiny living trees in pots in the other rooms of the house. This woodsy, wintry addition brings a bit of the forest indoors and is especially magical for a child’s room.
Share seasonal books, music and films
Whether it’s reading ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, listening to The Nutcracker or watching Bing Crosby’s White Christmas, we all have our favourite rituals for the season. Pull out your cherished classics and set aside time to read, listen and watch.
Whether it’s reading ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, listening to The Nutcracker or watching Bing Crosby’s White Christmas, we all have our favourite rituals for the season. Pull out your cherished classics and set aside time to read, listen and watch.
Relax in an aromatic bath or shower
Pick up essential oils (eucalyptus and spruce are especially nice at this time of year) to scent your bath or shower. If you’re lucky enough to have access to a sauna, now is the perfect time to put it to use.
Pick up essential oils (eucalyptus and spruce are especially nice at this time of year) to scent your bath or shower. If you’re lucky enough to have access to a sauna, now is the perfect time to put it to use.
Revel in the twinkling Christmas tree
Turning on the Christmas tree lights in the morning adds a welcome bit of cheer to dark winter days. Enjoy just sitting by the tree in your pyjamas or comfiest clothes and catching up with your family.
What’s your favourite simple pleasure at this time of year? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
Turning on the Christmas tree lights in the morning adds a welcome bit of cheer to dark winter days. Enjoy just sitting by the tree in your pyjamas or comfiest clothes and catching up with your family.
What’s your favourite simple pleasure at this time of year? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
Tea lights, votives, hurricane lanterns, Swedish candle chimes and fairy lights create a warm and welcoming atmosphere indoors when the weather outside is blustery.
For something a little different, fill glass candleholders or jars with sprigs of fresh greenery and nestle strings of tiny lights inside.