With October drawing to a close, it’s evident that fall is in full flow, summer is a distant memory, and spring is but a twinkle in Mother Nature’s eye. By November, we’ll begin to see skies darkening, snow clouds forming, and temperatures dropping. It’s that time of year when we implore you to hug your loved ones extra-tight – to conserve body warmth, rather than to provide moral support, you see – because winter is settling in, and for many, that thought is, well, un-settling.
However, we at Zazzle are actually rather keen on cold weather and the winter months; we’ve long since shed our sunglasses and swimsuits and donned the long johns and woolen hats instead. If winter still leaves you cold, though, we’re hoping you’ll warm to the idea with the list below: the top 10 things we look forward to when the trees are bare, birds fly south for the season, and some animals – including some dozy humans – start hibernating.
So shake the snowflakes from your scarf, down a hearty bowl of warm soup, and creep into your favorite nook for this winter read…
The Cozy Atmosphere
Summer weather is uplifting and salubrious, but you couldn’t exactly describe it as ‘cozy.’ Rather, it’s winter that we associate with coziness, and with a sleepy satisfaction invoked by scented candles, warm blankets, and brand-new pajamas. In Danish, this feeling is known as hygge – pronounced ‘hue-ga’ and meaning “to comfort.” According to the Washington Post, hygge is “a hallmark of winter culture in the Nordic countries,” and is created by the use of light in particular. People gather around fireplaces, candles, and other sources of light on dark winter nights, and thus the darkness, illuminated by a small, old-fashioned light, becomes synonymous with warmth and contentment. In Sweden, the concept is known as mys – pronounced ‘mees’ – and the effect is achieved in much the same way, as this YouTube video shows!
The Snug Clothes
We mentioned our fleece PJs earlier – along with thermal underwear plucked straight out of A Christmas Carol – and they’re just two examples of what clothes and accessories have been buried in our winter wardrobe since last year. While summer clothing is cool and loose, winter clothing is pleasantly snug: you can swap out flip flops for boots, shorts and skirts for leggings, and t-shirts for coats or ugly sweaters. Even the winter palette is different, consisting of rich burgundies, icy blues, and sophisticated grays, and knitted material is also popular: think of that cashmere sweater your friend George Costanza bought you!
The First Snowfall
Of course, one of the first signs – or consequences – of cold weather is snow, and it’s a favorite for most people. In fact, “[n]o matter how much we complain about winter […] the first snowfall reminds us of when we were kids wishing for school to be canceled,” observes Cottage Life, rightly. There are even some activities that can only be done with a fresh fall of snow, such as ice skating and sledding, and snow also lends a romantic, ethereal quality to the landscape, making it the perfect backdrop for wedding photos. Just think of the smooth, tactile crunch of snow under your boots, and try to convince us that it’s not as addictive as popping bubble wrap!
The Holiday Season
One person that won’t be affected by any cold waves – thanks to an extensive winter wardrobe – is Santa Claus, and for kids, the most exciting thing about winter is that his arrival draws ever closer. Indeed, many of the year’s holidays, including Christmas and beginning in a month’s time with Thanksgiving, take place at the end of the year; one glance at our holiday card page reveals a surplus of winter foliage, snowy landscapes, and autumnal harvests.
The only downside of this busy, breezy holiday season is that it can be quite expensive. However, if you take a look at our “10 Ways to Save Money This Holiday Season” article, then it’ll only be the thermometer – and not your bank balance – that drops below 0.
The Time Spent with Family
Winter weather also means that we’re inclined to spend more time indoors, huddled under the covers and dialing the thermostat up several more notches. However, while it’s perfectly acceptable to spend this time in solemn contemplation – enclosed within that reading nook we mentioned earlier, perhaps – a spell of frosty weather also provides an excellent opportunity to bond with your family members. Plough your way through our “Best Classic Christmas Movies of All Time” with the company of your brothers and sisters, or challenge your parents to a never-ending game of Monopoly. You could even while away the hours until midnight on New Year’s Eve with a dimly lit game of poker!
The Romance in the Air
There’s no denying that winter is also the most romantic season. Not only do the cooler temperatures present more opportunities for held hands and couch cuddles, but winter’s also a popular time of year to get engaged – and, as of late, to get married, due to the favorable prices and picturesque conditions. It’s a topic we’ve even covered at length in our “Should You Have a Winter Wedding?” and “The Most Beautiful Winter Wedding Ideas” articles.
However, if the number of photos on your social media feed featuring white dresses and proudly outstretched fingers doesn’t put you in a romantic mood, then there’s always the Hallmark channel and its ‘Countdown to Christmas’ programming. We at the Zazzle Ideas team watch it every holiday season, and as such not a year goes by that Christmas Eve doesn’t end with a last-minute dash to the airport.
The Décor Opportunities
As fantastical as the first snowfall and icy landscapes can be, there’s also the chance, during winter, to bring some of that magic indoors as well. As Christmas approaches, hang holly, ivy, mistletoe, or wreaths around your doors and windows, or use our “Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas for a Memorable Feast” article to create captivating centerpieces, tableware, and color combinations throughout the month of November. Even a smattering of string lights around your bookcases and headboard – or around a shrub or tree in the garden – can brighten up those dark winter days. Finally, don’t forget those aforementioned hygge products, such as blankets and throw pillows, and you’ll have mastered the art of winter décor.
The Health Benefits
While it might seem hard to believe when you’re shivering into the shower on a cold December morning, winter weather actually has a positive impact on our overall health. The change in temperature at this time of year can often trigger a seasonal cold or flu, but it’s not the cold itself that does it; indeed, when you’re cold, your immune system becomes more active, helping you fight off illness. Furthermore, not only does the cold kill off germs and infections, but it also helps us to sleep better: when we go to bed, our body temperature normally drops in order to keep us asleep, and cold weather expedites this process. Meanwhile, during the day, we try to stay active in order to warm up, and this endeavor to keep moving can only improve our fitness and physical wellbeing.
The Gorgeous Scenery
Okay, cold weather may bring with it some slightly treacherous conditions – and we’d encourage all of our readers to limit their exposure to heavy snow and freezing temperatures during the next months (if at all possible). However, provided you’re wrapped up warmly and aren’t trying to carve your way to Lapland, winter weather can be extreme-ly beautiful. The sky on a cold winter’s day is particularly special, because it’s so crisp and clear, and while bare trees can seem limp and desolate, the dark browns and blacks contrast sharply with the grays, whites, and blues of snow and ice. Once again, if you’re thinking about considering a winter wedding, we’re confident that your photographer will find plenty of inspiration in the natural world.
The Last Course
We told you at the start of this article to “down a hearty bowl of warm soup,” but with all that jogging on the spot, outdoor photography, and “The Best Holiday Party Games and Activities” behind you, you’re probably hungry again, right? Thankfully, cold weather brings with it a whole buffet of warm and tasty food. For a starter, you could have some butternut squash soup; as a main course, you could have turkey, ham, and seasonal vegetables; and as a dessert, you could whip up a batch of sleep-inducing cookies and milk. During the summer, we eat salads and fruit in order to stay cool and refreshed; however, during winter, we start eating more warm, nourishing foods (accompanied by a glass of mulled wine or mug of hot chocolate, of course).
Well, now that we’ve elaborated on why we love winter and cold weather so much, do you think it’s a hot topic, or does the very thought give you chills? If you’re still blowing hot and cold on the idea, then we’ve written an article on that very subject, too: our “Are You a Hot or Cold Weather Kind of Person?” article will help you to decide, once and for all, which category you fall into! Let us know your favorite thing about the weather getting colder below!
Eoin is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork. He’s recently bought a house with his fiancée, and thus most of his time these days is spent trying to keep the walls from caving in and the wolves from the door. Still, he’s always open to book, game, and movie recommendations, so if you have some, let him know: he’ll add them to a very, very long list.
