Canadian winters are famed for two things: their coldness and their length. While some people are able to break the winter monotony with ski trips or vacations to warmer climates, if your budget (or maybe just the price of gas) is keeping you at home this winter – don’t despair – there are plenty of ways of enjoying your home as a winter getaway.
If you think about it, when you go away you’re usually looking for a change of scenery and different activities to participate in. So, when thinking about how to make your home your winter getaway – think about ways of temporarily changing your surroundings and plan activities you can do in and around your home.
Changing your surroundings is easier and less expensive than you think – if you think “accents”. The infusion of fresh cut flowers, the addition of candles or even putting out a large bowl of fresh, luscious fruit, can change the feel of your living or family room. (You might want to put away a few of the toys and old magazines first, since clearing a bit of the clutter of your daily life will also make the room more inviting.) If you’re looking for inspiration, think of what you first notice when you walk into your favourite ski chalet, hotel lobby, or restaurant – the warm glow of candlelight or a fireplace, soft music playing in the background, small flower arrangements on tables and in corners, etc.
Changing the smell of a room is another way of transforming it and mentally transporting yourself somewhere else – and we’re not necessarily talking about expensive aromatherapy oils. It could be something as simple as unplugging or putting away your normal air fresheners and brining out a tray of cinnamon-infused apple cider or mulled wine. Or, if a change of season is what you’re aiming for, candles smelling of lilac or freesia will help bring you back into your springtime garden.
To enjoy your home as a winter getaway you have to change your behavior a bit too – you have to get away from your regular routines and normal activities. This means leaving your work (including household chores) behind and filling the time with some other planned activity. Sometimes this isn’t as easy as it sounds, since being in your home reminds you of aspects of your daily routine – but with a little commitment, you can do it.
Once you and the other members of your household have “booked” the time off for your vacation at home, it’s time to consider various activities. In deciding what to do, there are two basic decisions. First, do you want a group activity – like a game or having friends over – or do you want to pursue individual pastimes – like reading or doing needlework? Second, do you prefer to do something fairly passive – like watching a movie or reading a book – or something more active – like preparing a gourmet meal or making and decorating cookies?
(more)
The key to enjoying group activities is to be creative in finding ways of involving everyone. For example, if you want to play a game but some in the group are a bit young or lacking in certain skills, make them members of a team and put them in charge of rolling the dice or moving the pieces. Or, if you’re planning a movie night – make it a double-header, starting with a family-oriented film and moving on to the more serious film after the little ones have gone to bed.
And remember – just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you’re limited to indoor activities. If it’s snowing, for example, nature is providing you with the primary tools for snowball fights and snowman or snowfort building. You might even make a game of it by challenging your neighbors to a friendly game of snowball target practice against a fence or tree, with the promise of hot chocolate for both the winners and losers afterward.
Using your home as a winter getaway – whether just for a weekend or for a more extended vacation – can be a wonderful way of relaxing. You’re far from the crowds and you don’t have to worry about driving in dangerous conditions. Why not give it a try this winter – you might just find that in doing so you’re creating new traditions you’ll carry forward for many winters to come.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Making Your Home Your Winter Getaway
Canadian winters are famed for two things: their coldness and their length. While some people are able to break the winter monotony with ski trips or vacations to warmer climates, if your budget (or maybe just the price of gas) is keeping you at home this winter – don’t despair – there are plenty of ways of enjoying your home as a winter getaway.
If you think about it, when you go away you’re usually looking for a change of scenery and different activities to participate in. So, when thinking about how to make your home your winter getaway – think about ways of temporarily changing your surroundings and plan activities you can do in and around your home.
Changing your surroundings is easier and less expensive than you think – if you think “accents”. The infusion of fresh cut flowers, the addition of candles or even putting out a large bowl of fresh, luscious fruit, can change the feel of your living or family room. (You might want to put away a few of the toys and old magazines first, since clearing a bit of the clutter of your daily life will also make the room more inviting.) If you’re looking for inspiration, think of what you first notice when you walk into your favourite ski chalet, hotel lobby, or restaurant – the warm glow of candlelight or a fireplace, soft music playing in the background, small flower arrangements on tables and in corners, etc.
Changing the smell of a room is another way of transforming it and mentally transporting yourself somewhere else – and we’re not necessarily talking about expensive aromatherapy oils. It could be something as simple as unplugging or putting away your normal air fresheners and brining out a tray of cinnamon-infused apple cider or mulled wine. Or, if a change of season is what you’re aiming for, candles smelling of lilac or freesia will help bring you back into your springtime garden.
To enjoy your home as a winter getaway you have to change your behavior a bit too – you have to get away from your regular routines and normal activities. This means leaving your work (including household chores) behind and filling the time with some other planned activity. Sometimes this isn’t as easy as it sounds, since being in your home reminds you of aspects of your daily routine – but with a little commitment, you can do it.
Once you and the other members of your household have “booked” the time off for your vacation at home, it’s time to consider various activities. In deciding what to do, there are two basic decisions. First, do you want a group activity – like a game or having friends over – or do you want to pursue individual pastimes – like reading or doing needlework? Second, do you prefer to do something fairly passive – like watching a movie or reading a book – or something more active – like preparing a gourmet meal or making and decorating cookies?
(more)
The key to enjoying group activities is to be creative in finding ways of involving everyone. For example, if you want to play a game but some in the group are a bit young or lacking in certain skills, make them members of a team and put them in charge of rolling the dice or moving the pieces. Or, if you’re planning a movie night – make it a double-header, starting with a family-oriented film and moving on to the more serious film after the little ones have gone to bed.
And remember – just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you’re limited to indoor activities. If it’s snowing, for example, nature is providing you with the primary tools for snowball fights and snowman or snowfort building. You might even make a game of it by challenging your neighbors to a friendly game of snowball target practice against a fence or tree, with the promise of hot chocolate for both the winners and losers afterward.
Using your home as a winter getaway – whether just for a weekend or for a more extended vacation – can be a wonderful way of relaxing. You’re far from the crowds and you don’t have to worry about driving in dangerous conditions. Why not give it a try this winter – you might just find that in doing so you’re creating new traditions you’ll carry forward for many winters to come.
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