Winter Activities for When It’s 70 and Sunny

By theadmin

Depending on the year, winter in Texas can be more of a state of mind than a season. But don’t let it drag you down if it’s 70 F with nary a snowflake in sight. You can cultivate cozy winter vibes at home with a little inspiration from the Danish concept of hygge and foster a festive spirit at winter wonderlands across the state.

How to Adopt a Hygge Mindset

Hygge (pronounced “hoo- guh”) is a mindset focused on creating a cozy, warm atmosphere. The concept originated in old Norwegian language and was popularized in Denmark, where winters are dreary, long, and dark. Hygge is how the Danish generate positivity and tranquility, no matter the weather. (It must work, because the Danes are reportedly some of the happiest people on Earth.)

How can you infuse more hygge into your life this winter? Prioritize what brings you delight, comfort, and peace. Curling up with a good book by candlelight? That’s hygge. Good conversation with loved ones? That’s very hygge. What nourishes the body and soul is hygge.

Cultivate Hygge at Home

A hygge home engages all the senses, from cozy textures to sumptuous smells. Every touchpoint of the house can add to your feeling of comfort and calm. Begin your daily ritual of practicing hygge by bringing in pleasant winter smells in the morning. Scent is one of the strongest senses, so light a balsam fir candle, bring a pot of cinnamon potpourri to boil, or add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to a diffuser.

If you tend to spend most of your winter days indoors, set the tone with a winter soundtrack. If it’s cool enough outside, light a crackling fire. Alternatively, you can play wonderfully realistic fireplace videos on YouTube in the background as you wrap presents or work from home. Hang wind chimes near windows or put on a classic caroling tune. Bring an extra cozy feeling to bedrooms and living rooms with chunky throw blankets, festive throw pillows, and textured décor, such as pine or macrame garlands.

As the sun begins to set earlier in the winter months, prepare your hygge home so you can enjoy a restful evening. If possible, avoid using bright overhead lights after the sun sets to relax your nervous system. Using soft, ambient lighting not only helps regulate your circadian rhythm, but also adds to the warm, cocoonlike environment.

Create holiday candles at home. — Photo by Kate Laine

Find Joy in Little Things

Hygge isn’t only about fluffy throw pillows. It’s also about doing things simply for the joy of them. Find time this winter to indulge in activities that allow you to slow down and enjoy the quiet of the season. In Texas, the winter months offer a fresh opportunity to explore the great outdoors. Connect with nature on hikes at one of Texas’ nearly 20 national park service sites, or observe nature from your backyard by making birdseed cakes to feed and watch the winter birds.

If you’d rather keep your activities indoors, treat yourself to a new novel or book of poetry. Light a candle or play soft music to make the “regular” activity a little more special. Find tranquility in cultivating a container or herb garden to bring the outdoors in. Activities as simple as building a puzzle or mapping your family tree can be fulfilling when done with intention and the ones you love most. Invite friends over for themed movie and game nights, such as the Polar Express or Wild West, or pick up a new creative hobby, such as learning how to crochet or make candles or soap to gift to family and friends for the holidays.

Feed the Soul With Winter’s Bounty

Few things can transport your mood to instant coziness like a warm kitchen and the aromas of savory stew and seasonal spices. Make the occasion even more hygge by inviting friends and family over to enjoy a nourishing meal together.

Soup’s on: Slow cookers make your home smell marvelous and provide a scrumptious reward after a daylong build in anticipation. You can’t go wrong with a nostalgic beef stew, but why not try a new recipe, such as roasted cream of cauliflower Parmesan soup or winter white cioppino?

Make hearty meats: Carnivorous comfort fare is key during the winter months. The more tender and juicier the cut, the better. Keep your grill fired up this winter to serve grilled kabobs. Or break out the brisket for Texas-style poutine. Whatever you make, don’t scrimp on winter’s coziest flavor: garlic.

Sip with joy: Winter is a busy time, and warm drinks help soothe a scattered mind. Steal a moment for yourself with the meditative act of preparing and sipping on a hot cup of Mexican hot cocoa or mulled apple cider.

Bake happiness: Making holiday baked goods as a family is a tradition for many Texans. Even small kids can help decorate a Yule log cake and knead dough for pillowy sopapillas to leave out with a glass of milk for Santa.

Find winter wonderland in Texas with these activities.

Road Trip to a Winter Wonderland

Immerse yourself in the magic of the season, regardless of the warm weather outside, with a trip to one of Texas’ holiday events and extravaganzas.

Shop at Holiday Markets

Discover handmade gifts you won’t find in big-box stores at local holiday markets. For example, you can find treasures to the tunes of live polka at the Tomball German Fest Christmas Market, or take home one-of-a-kind handiworks from Austin’s Armadillo Christmas Bazaar.

Drive Through A Dazzling Light Show

Transform a trip in the family sedan into a magical sleigh ride at one of Texas’ many light shows. Behold 2 million lights and 90 Christmas trees twinkling in Austin’s Zilker Park, or catch a million lights — and their reflections — at the Dancing Lights of Mill Pond Park in San Saba.

Explore Santa’s Wonderland

Regardless of the weather, College Station says, “Let it snow!” Santa’s Wonderland is a huge holiday extravaganza complete with nightly snows (via snow machine), train rides, hayrides, snow tubing, ice skating, and, naturally, a lot of lights.

Visit A Christmas Tree Farm

Find the perfect fir (and support local farmers) at one of Texas’ many Christmas tree farms. Whether you’re a suburban lumberjack hoping to make the chop yourself, or you want to find the right spruce for your space, visiting a tree farm is a winter tradition to love.

While comfy blankets and twinkling lights can help you achieve a contented mood, the most effective way to activate hygge anytime, anywhere is through shared experience. Whatever you’re doing this winter, invite loved ones to come along.

Ready your car for winter road conditions today. It only takes a few minutes to inspect your battery, tighten your lug nuts, and pack an emergency bag.