While autumn has a lot to recommend it, with the addition of pumpkin flavouring to almost anything you can think of and the ever-changing colours of the leaves, there is a lot to be said for settling into winter. The days might be shorter, and the weather might be colder, but there is plenty of fun to be had throughout the winter months, so long as you know where to find it.
While some people find the chill invigorating, not everyone wants to brace themselves with an outdoor swim that feels like a recipe for frostbite. For those that don’t want to feel the crunch of frosted grass underfoot or enjoy the opportunity to be blinded by the low winter sun, there are some brilliant ways to keep yourself occupied without having to leave the house.
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Crafting
Anyone that has a ‘stash’ somewhere in their house will know that there’s never enough time for crafting. The winter months are the perfect time to review your crafting materials and get started on all the projects that you have been meaning to do for the rest of the year.
There are plenty of crafts that are perfect for the winter, such as knitting and crochet that can be turned into warming winter wear to suit the season as well as giving you a fun way to spend the cold evenings. Keen quilters might find themselves racing against the weather to complete a quilt that will keep them warm until winter’s over.
If you have an overflowing yarn stash or a stash of fat quarters that need to be used up, there’s nothing cosier than snuggling up on the sofa and getting your craft on. And even if you haven’t, it’s a good time to try that new hobby that you haven’t quite got round to yet – you might find something that you love doing and you could even get an early start on your Christmas presents by making things for friends and family.
Cooking
We may eat all year round, but there’s something supremely comforting about a house that swirls with the rich smell of delicious things cooking when it’s cold outside. If you lack confidence in the kitchen, then winter is the perfect time to try a few recipes as stews and soups can be adapted by tinkering with seasoning and different ingredients.
Amateur chefs can learn a lot from trying their hand at some basic recipes and those that fancy themselves as a dab hand with a saucepan can refine their favourite recipes, try cooking recipes from all over the world, and find ways to use up ingredients that they might otherwise have no use for.
Winter is also an ideal time for baking, from Christmas cakes to gingerbread houses, not to mention stollen, yule logs, and Christmas puddings. Staying inside can be a positive boon if you enjoy baking bread as you can try out recipes with longer proving times when you aren’t planning to go anywhere!
Casino games
Avid gamers will love the chance to settle down to an epic gaming session and the winter months are the perfect time to indulge in your favourite indoor hobbies. Online gaming has become such a popular form of entertainment that there are games available to suit anyone’s tastes.
Fans of traditional casino games are spoilt for choice with the variety of games they can choose from. Online casino gaming is legal in New Zealand, but heavily regulated to ensure that sites hosted in New Zealand conform to high standards through rigorous regulation.
New Zealand-based company SkyCity is among the pioneers of the industry, offering players the chance to benefit from the high standards that local operators have to achieve. For those that enjoy casino gaming and want the full protection of the law, choosing a New Zealand-based site allows players the security of knowing that the strict local laws apply.
Clearing
Many cultures embrace seasonal decluttering as a way to let go of the old year and welcome in the new. It’s certainly true that spending more time in your house is often the motivator you need to finish DIY projects, re-arrange rooms, and generally improve your home environment.
When it’s too cold to go outside, you can arm yourself with a few simple tools and make the inside as nice as possible by going all those little jobs around the house that you have been putting off all year. While you are digging out your winter clothes, rid yourself of anything you aren’t going to wear again and make time to sew on buttons, repair zips, and fix hems on clothes that aren’t getting worn.
If you have children, it’s a great time to sort through their toys and sell or donate anything that isn’t played with to make room for the inevitable onslaught of presents. Clearing out space over the winter means that you have extra room for guests, indoor hobbies, and festive decorations, so you can make your home even more welcoming over the winter months.
Whatever you like to do in the winter, staying at home can be a great way to take some time out from the pressures of daily life and embrace the simplicity of winter comforts. Simple things like a hot chocolate with marshmallows can turn a cold winter’s day into an opportunity to treat yourself, and if you are prepared with some ideas of how to have fun at home, you’ll be all set until spring.
