The holiday season may be squarely under the table, but winter is still here, and it's making the kids feel quite sluggish and subdued. If your family needs a dose of summer energy, all you need to do is make some easy changes at home to make winter feel like summer again.
Here are some exciting things to try to bring a little sunshine despite the doldrums of the winter season:
1. Grill some summer food.
During the winter season, you'll need a grill with a lid to keep the cold air and wind away for a good backyard barbecue. Otherwise, the food will not cook well, and it could spoil your barbecue plans with the family.
If you're grilling outside, make sure to stay warm and wear your coat, scarf, gloves, and cap. Just be careful that these do not catch any fire. To be on the safe side, however, if you have an electric griller, you can still have a barbecue from the comforts of your kitchen.
Pick some warming food to cook on the grill as well, such as chicken or beef that could be slathered with chili and other spicy marinades or dips. Pair the grill food with a serving of a warm cup of soup and make sure that the soup pot is constantly warm for that second or third serving. Don't forget the S'mores for dessert!
2. Create the summer vibe.
Turn on some cool summer music and then crank up the heater. If you've got some cool summer scents for the diffuser, use those too.
Create the summer vibe by playing cool summer tunes all day long. Consider turning up the heater in some zones around the house and having everyone stay in one or two areas to use the heat efficiently. It will help to light up the fireplace as well to help drive up the heat.
Mix some summery and invigorating citrusy blends if you own a diffuser or humidifier. If you don't have essential oils, you might have a stash of beachy candles hidden somewhere, so bring these out and light up that vacation vibe.
3. Fill the house with greens.
When winter has stripped the trees of their luscious leaves, why not bring back the summer scene inside your home and fill every corner with live house plants or fresh flowers?
According to Prevention, having house plants will also create better indoor air, which will likely help if family members are suffering from respiratory issues during the winter season. Rooms also look more comfortable, inviting, and pleasant if there are flowers and plants. These living things are effective mental boosts and stress relievers as well.
You don't have to be the best horticulturalists or gardener to take care of indoor plants. For the greens, pick the ones that are low-maintenance. On the other hand, the flowers will expectedly dry up and die in a few weeks or days, but, as a bonus, you can plan some arts and crafts activities with the kids using dried flowers as the main material.
4. Change all bedding to white.
Granted, you're sleeping under heavy covers to keep warm from the cold, but if you swap your bedding with crisp white linens, you'll also create a warm summertime ambiance. As opposed to dark colors, white brings the illusion of breeze and airiness, so change the sheets and pillows as soon as possible.
