Everybody has hobbies, even me (take this blog, for example). From bowling to skiing, scrapbooking or even the benign Netflix binge watching, there's definitely a hobby out there for everyone. But what about winter hobbies?
Throughout most of the year, it’s easy to indulge and unwind with your favorite pastime. Maybe a softball game with co-workers on a Thursday night in the spring. Or swim club with the kiddos on a summery Saturday. But when the weather turns from warm and sunny to cold and gray, oftentimes your hobbies have to take a backseat until the weather improves. If you're looking for a new winter hobby to try, or if you're considering giving an old winter hobby another go, let us help. Here's six cold weather hobbies to try.
Six Winter Hobbies To Try
1. Gardening
If you're an avid outdoor gardener, you must hate winter. You can’t spend evenings and weekends tending to your beloved plants, flowers and shrubs like you would during better weather. You've winterized your garden plots, cleaned and put away your tools for winter and heartier, cold-weather bushes and shrubs are capable all on their own. So what's a gardener to do?
- Start a window herb garden. Indoor potted herbs thrive in any weather, so long as they are able to get sufficient sunlight.
- Create a terrarium. You can use just about any wide-mouthed vessel as a terrarium, like a fish bowl or a vase.
- Cultivate air plants. Air plants are great because they are suitable for small spaces, require no dirt and are hard to kill (just keep your thermostat above 65-ish degrees).
  Winter Herb Growing Kit, amazon.com (click to shop) |
  Indoor / Outdoor Mini Greenhouse, amazon.com (click to shop) |
2. Cooking
If there’s any hobby that you (and your family) can benefit from during the winter months, it’s home cooking. In the warmer months, running the oven can be daunting. Salads, sandwiches and other easy to assemble meals dominate the menu--and that's when you're not outside barbequing. But in the cooler months, you can enjoy creating your favorite dishes without having to worry about your kitchen becoming as hot as Hades.
There's no question that comfort foods are a staple of a winter meal plan, and picking from timeless classics like a chicken pie recipe can make everyone forget about the frigid temps outside. Other great cold-weather meals to try include easy peasy ground beef and pasta skillet dinners, perfect dishes for winter meal prepping.
Another favorite of winter meal prep are slow cooker recipes. You can make mouth-watering soups, stews and chilis in classic set it and forget slow cooker style. There's nothing like coming home from a long day at work to the smell of a delicious meal that's ready and waiting for you!
2. Cooking
If there’s any hobby that you (and your family) can benefit from during the winter months, it’s home cooking. In the warmer months, running the oven can be daunting. Salads, sandwiches and other easy to assemble meals dominate the menu--and that's when you're not outside barbequing. But in the cooler months, you can enjoy creating your favorite dishes without having to worry about your kitchen becoming as hot as Hades.
There's no question that comfort foods are a staple of a winter meal plan, and picking from timeless classics like a chicken pie recipe can make everyone forget about the frigid temps outside. Other great cold-weather meals to try include easy peasy ground beef and pasta skillet dinners, perfect dishes for winter meal prepping.
Another favorite of winter meal prep are slow cooker recipes. You can make mouth-watering soups, stews and chilis in classic set it and forget slow cooker style. There's nothing like coming home from a long day at work to the smell of a delicious meal that's ready and waiting for you!
  6 Quart Programmable Crock Pot, amazon.com (click to shop) |
  Fix It And Forget It Slow Cooker Recipes, amazon.com (click to shop) |
3. Crafting
Another hobby that winter allows you to embrace like a long lost friend is crafting. If you’re of the artistic persuasion, winter is a great time to indulge in a few different DIY projects!
If you’ve struggled to finish projects like knitting that scarf or hooking that rug, now’s your chance to complete them. Being stuck inside on a snowy day gives you a great opportunity to put your creative skills to work. If you’ve been struggling for creative inspiration this year, a change of weather could help inspire new ideas.
If you don't think you have the chops for crafting, think again. There are myriad sites online that can teach you how to do just about anything. We even learned how to make cheese!
Another hobby that winter allows you to embrace like a long lost friend is crafting. If you’re of the artistic persuasion, winter is a great time to indulge in a few different DIY projects!
If you’ve struggled to finish projects like knitting that scarf or hooking that rug, now’s your chance to complete them. Being stuck inside on a snowy day gives you a great opportunity to put your creative skills to work. If you’ve been struggling for creative inspiration this year, a change of weather could help inspire new ideas.
If you don't think you have the chops for crafting, think again. There are myriad sites online that can teach you how to do just about anything. We even learned how to make cheese!
4. Transforming
Speaking of creating...how about trying your hand at its big brother, transforming?
While you can’t redesign and remodel your home's exterior through the rain, snow and sleet, you can work on interior renovations like a kitchen or bath upgrade. If you've considered an interior renovation, now is a great time to reach out to home remodelers and pick their brain on what they suggest for upgrading your home. You can also find inspiration from houses on the market by visiting open houses. It's always interesting to see how other homes in the neighborhood have been designed, decorated and even upgraded.
4. Transforming
Speaking of creating...how about trying your hand at its big brother, transforming?
While you can’t redesign and remodel your home's exterior through the rain, snow and sleet, you can work on interior renovations like a kitchen or bath upgrade. If you've considered an interior renovation, now is a great time to reach out to home remodelers and pick their brain on what they suggest for upgrading your home. You can also find inspiration from houses on the market by visiting open houses. It's always interesting to see how other homes in the neighborhood have been designed, decorated and even upgraded.
5. Exploring
Some of you won’t allow a little snow to stop you from getting out and about (gasp!). Taking a short hike over snowy terrain, or just a nice walk around the neighborhood, will certainly help fight cabin fever. Consider state parks, hiking trails and local walking paths. Even window shopping along Main Street can be adventurous! Before you head out, apply sunscreen just as you would on a summer day, and treat your lips with a good lip balm to prevent chapping. In addition to your coat, hat and gloves, be sure to wear light layers of clothing (including long underwear), waterproof boots and of course bring your sunnies, because sun glare off of snow can be blinding.
6. Exercising
Just because the weather outside is frightful, doesn't mean your exercise routine has to suffer--try taking your outdoor routine inside. If you enjoy walking, for example, consider the option of mall walking. Lots of malls have hours available for those just looking to walk or jog (generally before the mall opens for business) and if you look online, you might even be able to find mall walking groups to join as well. You can also find great tai chi or beginner's yoga videos online. Even 15 minutes a day of low-impact exercise can have mood boosting benefits. And regardless of the season, who couldn't use that?
Personally, I'm working on my fitness this winter (thank you free fitness center at the office!), and trying to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
What winter hobbies are you up to this season? Let us know in the comments below.
Some of you won’t allow a little snow to stop you from getting out and about (gasp!). Taking a short hike over snowy terrain, or just a nice walk around the neighborhood, will certainly help fight cabin fever. Consider state parks, hiking trails and local walking paths. Even window shopping along Main Street can be adventurous! Before you head out, apply sunscreen just as you would on a summer day, and treat your lips with a good lip balm to prevent chapping. In addition to your coat, hat and gloves, be sure to wear light layers of clothing (including long underwear), waterproof boots and of course bring your sunnies, because sun glare off of snow can be blinding.
6. Exercising
Just because the weather outside is frightful, doesn't mean your exercise routine has to suffer--try taking your outdoor routine inside. If you enjoy walking, for example, consider the option of mall walking. Lots of malls have hours available for those just looking to walk or jog (generally before the mall opens for business) and if you look online, you might even be able to find mall walking groups to join as well. You can also find great tai chi or beginner's yoga videos online. Even 15 minutes a day of low-impact exercise can have mood boosting benefits. And regardless of the season, who couldn't use that?
Personally, I'm working on my fitness this winter (thank you free fitness center at the office!), and trying to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
What winter hobbies are you up to this season? Let us know in the comments below.
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