The coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic has thrown many of our plans out of the window. I should be going to Hawaii next week, but I’m not. Back at the start of 2020, many of us had all sorts of holidays, breaks, shows, concerts, events and more throughout the year. But social distancing and social isolation guidelines have meant that many of these plans have been unable to go ahead and have been cancelled. Now that we’re approaching the end of the year, many of us would usually be rearing up for our traditional and annual winter festivities, only to find that they too have been cancelled. Events like Christmas markets, packed pubs and bars, work parties, new year’s celebrations and more will not be going ahead as they require the mixing of too many households in too small a space. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that your winter has to be cancelled. There are still countless things you can do throughout the winter. You just might have to think outside of the box a bit! Here are some suggestions that can get the ball rolling for you.
Be Prepared for Cancellations
That is life now. More than ever, you have to be really flexible with your plans. Sure, you can go ahead and make plans that entail heading out, spending time in indoor public places, or spending time with a close knit group of friends and family members. But at the end of the day, restrictions and guidelines are constantly changing from country to country and region to region. You really need to make sure that you are prepared to cancel and that you don’t have your heart too set on the plans that you make that involve interaction with others. The plans we’ll list out below are those that you can do independently and with those who you live with, so should be safe and have the best chances of being able to go ahead regardless of changes to restrictions!
Hiking
Outdoor activities can still go ahead in many instances, as you have the space to distance yourself from others. Now, you may be thinking that you don’t want to spend time outdoors in the colder months, because you don’t want to expose yourself to the elements. But this attitude can cause you to miss out on so much! There are so many beautiful landscapes and so much stunning winter scenery out there that hiking in the winter can actually be a really fun and rewarding activity to get involved in. Of course, you will need to prepare to make your hike safe and comfortable. First, you need to make sure that you choose a safe route to hike – especially if you are a beginner. Never wander off into the wilderness or unknown spaces on your own. You could face drops that are obscured by leaves or snow, or may wander into areas you shouldn’t be in. Make sure to choose a safe and popular route where there will be plenty of others around to help you if you need it. You will also need to invest in outdoor gear if you’re going to be hiking in the winter. This can include comfortable and warm walking boots, thick socks, thick warm fleeces, lightweight waterproof cover ups and more.
Baking
In the midst of lockdown, baking became a new hobby for many of us. Grocery stores emptied out of baking basics like flour, baking soda, bicarbonate of soda, icing sugar, yeast, vanilla essence and more. But why not give your newfound hobby a winter twist? There are all sorts of traditional cakes and breads associated with this season, ranging from Yule logs to Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings. So, why not try your hand at baking a few of these different things? Some cakes like Christmas fruit cake can actually take a long time to prepare, so it’s best to get started sooner rather than later. Look online for some good and recommended recipes, stock up on the ingredients and start practicing now! This is an ideal activity for the colder months of the year, especially if you’d rather stay tucked up all warm and cosy inside!
Festive Films
Again, if you prefer to stay cuddled up and warm, there’s no better winter activity than settling down on the sofa in front of some seasonal and festive films. This is a plan that can’t really be cancelled, as it occurs from the comfort of your own home. Now, there are a few different things you might want to get in order to enjoy your films the most. First, is a subscription to a streaming service. This is a plan you can do every night if you wish, so it’s good to have plenty of options to choose from. Next, you might want a comfortable blanket that you can wrap up in on the sofa while you’re watching your chosen films. Finally, hot drinks and snacks can really add to the cosy atmosphere.
Arts and Crafts Activities
Many of us associate arts and crafts with kids. But there are plenty of arts and crafts activities for adults that you might want to try out. They simply involve remaining indoors and picking up a new skill independently or with those who you live with. Some popular arts and crafts activities for adults include:
- Knitting
- Embroidery
- Felting
- Macrame
- Painting
- Drawing
Of course, these are just a few. There are countless other activities out there that might take your fancy. Now, these activities do take practice and you’ll need a few basic pieces of equipment or tools to start out. So, research your chosen craft, order what you need and watch a few different video tutorials online. You’ll get a grip of things in next to no time.
These are just a few different activities you might enjoy getting involved in during the upcoming months. Sure, this winter is going to be a little different to your average winter. But we can work around it and still have a good time!
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