How to Prepare for Winter and the Holidays

Preparing for winter and the holidays is tricky! It’s cold outside! Living in the snow region of the Northern Hemisphere, you have to start dealing with winter and its unpredictable offerings around this time of year.

You need to remember things like snow shovels, ice choppers and either sand or a type of ice-melting product. Or, you’ll need to contract with someone for snow and ice removal. Then there’s all the winter clothing and accessories you probably need to replace.

Car

• Check your tires, belts, hoses and fluid levels
• Keep a bag of sand or non-clay cat litter in your trunk in case you can’t get traction on the snow or ice
• Store a small shovel in your trunk for the same purpose
• Carry an extra container of both antifreeze and windshield washer fluid in your trunk
• Stash one or two sleeping bags in the trunk. If you need them in the middle of nowhere, and have to spend the night in your car, you’ll have them – and keep warm while you wait for help.
• Put a combination snowbrush and scraper in the car under your seat
• Have a second, heavy-duty scraper in one of the storage compartments, because they break easily when you’re dealing with ice

Clothing

• Layer your clothing, starting with underwear, then a long- or short-sleeved top, pant liners or thermal underwear, then add a sweater or sweatshirt and your choice of pants or skirt to complete your outfit. If you really have to turn down the heat, add another sweater, sweatshirt or lightweight jacket.
• Down vests, jackets and coats can keep you comfortable
• Stay away from acrylic gloves and scarves – they’re not as warm as wool or cashmere

Home

• Help keep the heat inside by using weather-stripping or caulk around windows, doors and electrical (or other) outlets on outside walls
• Close your storm windows and insert winter panels in screen doors that have them
• If you still feel a draft from your door, roll up a heavy towel and lay it in front of the door to block the draft
• Wear two pair of socks, or socks over your hosiery and try wearing two pair of gloves or a pair of gloves under a pair of mittens – and, if you’re driving, leave off the mittens, but make certain your gloves have a large gripping surface on the palms
• Using down comforters, wool or wool-blend blankets will keep you warmer
• Flannel sheets make a great contribution to keeping your feet warm at night
• Turn down your thermostat at night, both to save money and sleep better

Nutrition

• This is the time of year to enjoy hot cereal in the morning, soup at lunch and a hearty stew or casserole at supper
• Keep hydrated. Drink water and fluids throughout the day. Both heat and cold can sap your skin of moisture, so you need to replace it in the cold just as much as you do in hot weather.
• Watch your alcohol intake in winter. Yes, the initial warmth feels great and can be helpful, but continued consumption dilates your blood vessels and speeds up heat loss that can lead to hypothermia.

Holiday Preparations

Invite your spouse, partner or friends to help with your preparations. The same is true if you have children old enough to help. Remember to make your preparations as interesting as possible. Sharing the tasks can be fun and building positive family memories is great, but if you try too hard or manipulate it, it can be a nightmare. If it starts turning into a nightmare, ask for suggestions on how to make it fun again. If everyone is tired or hungry, take a break. Make cocoa or popcorn. Watch a video or movie. Relax. Go to bed and continue the next day.

If someone doesn’t like the holidays, don’t try to involve him or her. If you need their help, acknowledge your need and ask if they would be willing to help for a few minutes. Thank them when you’re done! Keep your sense of humor at all times – even when the dog knocks over the decorations before you’ve secured them in place.

Preparing for winter and the holidays at the same time can be a challenge, but with a little thought and planning, you can do it.

Keep warm and enjoy!