A lot of us are just getting accustomed to the new chilly weather and the beautiful leaves, but it’s never too early to start preparing for winter. It’s probably the longest season of the year here, so we might as well come up with a lot to do! Here’s my list (in no particular order):
Celebrate the holidays! This is something you’re probably going to do anyway but I have a challenge. Try to celebrate a holiday that you don’t usually participate in, or celebrate it twice. Maybe you do Christmas with your family, but a secret Santa with your friends. I think we could learn a lot from what kind of traditions people have that we aren’t usually exposed to.Â
Go ice skating at Thompson’s Point. If you haven’t done this by now, you should give it a try this winter. Thompson’s Point is used almost all summer for concerts and other events, but in the winter it becomes a skating rink. People of all levels go, and they have some amazing food to eat while you take a break. They also have warming huts which are super convenient to relax in.Â
Go sledding at the Old Schoolhouse. You’re never too old to enjoy sledding, and the Old Schoolhouse is a great place to do it. The hill is steep enough that you pick up a lot more speed than most other places in town, and it’s a great activity to do with friends, especially on a snowy day.Â
Visit the NYA Holiday Craft Fair There are some really talented artists and bakers in Maine, and a lot of them attend this festive market. It’s a great option to find unique gifts for your friends and family, and it’s always fun to meet the person who made the art you’re looking at.Â
Watch Hallmark movies. This is one of my favorite activities to do with my family. It’s so much fun to laugh at a cheesy movie where the plot is unchanging no matter what the title of the film is. One thing I like to do to make it more interesting is a bingo sheet full of cliches.Â
Knit or Crochet. If you can’t go outside because of the weather, there’s a lot to do without leaving your house. If you don’t know how to knit or crochet (or by extension do any fiber craft), the winter is a great time to learn. There are lots of videos online that can pretty much explain any questions you have, and it’s really rewarding to look back on something you made yourself.
Make cookies. What kind you choose to make depends entirely on your preference, but my personal recommendation is the Hershey’s Kiss peanut butter cookies. They’re really easy to make and the chocolate melts perfectly. There’s honestly nothing better.
Make a vision board for the summer. I know there are times when it feels like the warm weather can’t come fast enough. To combat this, it can be helpful to make either Pinterest boards, collages, or physically print out images that inspire you to look forward to the summertime.Â
Do Legos/ puzzles. Another thing you’re never really too old to do. The best part about building something with Legos or completing a puzzle is the sound it makes when you get the piece to fit just right. Feel free to couple this with watching a movie or having some snacks.Â
Do an escape room. Not technically a winter activity but still fun nonetheless. Get a group of friends together and try to escape in a limited amount of time. It’s so rewarding if you manage to escape and it’s a great way to spend an hour.Â