Need some ideas for your winter bucket list? Are you looking for some inspiration for fun and cozy activities to do this winter? I’ve got you covered!
Let’s get into it!
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Winter Bucket List INDOOR Activities
1. Game Night
My family has always been huge on games. Card games, board games, charades, trivia…you name it, we play it. You can play games with a group of friends or have a low-key game night with just a few of your besties or favorite family members. Even a solo game of solitaire can be fun! Have some snacks and a warm drink and you’re all set to play.
2. Check Out Christmas Lights and Decorations
Go for a walk or jump in the car for a slow drive to check out your neighborhood Christmas lights and decorations. Don’t forget to blast your favorite Christmas playlist!
3. Plan your Christmas Menu
Search Pinterest for some amazing holiday recipes and test out a few new ones. Make a list of what you want to make and the ingredients you’ll need and you’ll be ready to go for the next holiday party.
4. Plan your Christmas Games
No holiday party is complete without games! Do a quick search on YouTube, Pinterest, or TikTok for silly and fun holiday games and you’ll get a ton of ideas. Make a list of your favorites and list any items you’ll need to buy for the games. Don’t forget to get prizes or you can ask each guest to bring a small prize.
Let me know in the comments if you have any favorites!
5. Bowling
You don’t have to be a good bowler to have a good time bowling! Not much else to say about this one…it’s pretty self-explanatory.
6. Declutter
Clear out some space for new gifts that will be coming in soon or just clear space for the new year! It always feels good to get rid of things you no longer need or use. This time of year, a lot of charities are asking for coats, gloves, hats, and other gently used or new items, so check those places out in your local area. Donating to your local thrift store is another great alternative.
7. Volunteer
The holiday season is a wonderful time to donate your time to your local community. Most organizations are looking for volunteers during the colder months, especially around the holidays. Consider helping out at a local shelter, organizing a coat or toy drive, or volunteering at a food pantry. This is such a meaningful way to spread kindness during a season that can feel very isolating for some.
8. Learn How to Knit or Crochet
Throw a YouTube knitting or crochet tutorial up on your TV, curl up under a blanket, and learn something new. And, if you catch on quickly, you can knit or crochet some of your Christmas gifts!
9. Football or Hockey Night
You can do this with a group of friends or even solo. As a hardcore introvert, the solo option sounds great to me! My husband and I do this with just the two of us and it’s like a little date night.
Even if you don’t like sports that much, the cheering and excitement of the crowd might be enough to get you into it. Make it an event! Wear your favorite team jersey or team colors. And, of course, everything is more fun with food. Throw in some yummy snacks like a 7-layer dip and chips or charcuterie board and you’ll definitely score some extra points. Was that too cheesy? 😏
10. Light Therapy
Seasonal Affective Disorder is rough. Grab yourself a SAD Light Therapy Lamp and spend some time in front of it to boost your mood.
11. Puzzle Time
Grab yourself a jigsaw puzzle and throw all the pieces on your table or kitchen island. Depending on how many pieces it has, this could get you through some long, cold winter evenings.
12. Christmas Movie Marathon
This one kind of goes without saying, but I couldn’t leave it off the list. Either plan a whole Saturday to just zone out in front of the TV watching Christmas movies all day or watch one every day leading up to Christmas. Also, please let me know what your favorite movie is in the comments so I can add it to my list of things to watch!
13. Visit a Conservatory
If you’re tired of the cold, dry air, check out your nearest conservatory. Surrounding yourself with greenery and some warm humidity is so cozy in the cold days of winter.
14. (DIY) Make Your Own Wreath or Ornaments
Handmade decorations are my favorite. It’s so cool to look at something beautiful and be like, “Yeah, I made that”. Or if it doesn’t turn out like you planned, you can always get a good laugh. If you need some ideas, check out Pinterest for some inspiration.
15. Scrapbook
You could make this an annual tradition to capture the past year or a one-time thing with the photos and trinkets you have collected over the years. Almost everything now is digital so it’s a welcome change to have a physical book you can hold on to and flip through.
16. Goal Planning
This one has to be one of my top favorites. I love planning for the new year and thinking about what goals I’ll be working on. And yes, I really do work on them…..most of them anyway. If you have a fireplace, light a fire, grab a blanket and a planner, and start writing. If you don’t have a fireplace, pull up a fireplace video on your tv to set a cozy atmosphere. I’ve got this one on my Amazon wish list.
17. Make Soup
I eat soup all year round, but I especially crave it in the winter. There are so many different types of soups, you could probably make a new one every day for the whole winter! Now is the perfect time to test out some new recipes and find some new favorites.
18. Winter Cabin Retreat
Take a long weekend to escape to a cozy cabin. You can go with friends, a partner, or even spend some time alone to relax by the fire, enjoy snowy landscapes, and just get away from the hustle of life for a little while.
19. Attend a Live Performance or Concert
You can choose from holiday concerts, ballet, opera, theater, or live music. Local colleges or even local high schools always have some great options if you don’t have a theater or concert venue nearby. It’s always great to support your local artists and community.
20. Take a Class for Personal Growth
Sign up for a meditation session, reiki, or try yoga in a cozy, heated studio. As we get closer to a new year, this is a great time for personal growth and fulfillment.
Winter Bucket List OUTDOOR Activities
You’ll notice this portion is quite a bit shorter. I prefer indoor activities in the winter so it’s hard to suggest some that sound miserably cold, but here are a few fun ones you might enjoy. 🙂
21. Ice Skating
This is always a fun time, even if you’re not good at it. Any time I’ve been ice skating, it seems like everyone is always smiling.
22. Build a Snowman
This isn’t just for kids! In fact, I think it might be more fun as we get older because we can get as creative as we want. Don’t just go with the typical carrot-nosed snowman. Do something hilarious that will give your neighbors a good laugh.
23. Take a Winter Walk
It’s just a whole different vibe in the winter with the brisk air and the quiet that comes with the snow and cold. Bundle up and head out to enjoy the beauty for a quick walk and some fresh air.
24. Winter Photography
While you’re out on your winter walk, bring along your camera to take some winter photos. Capture the beauty of a single snowflake or a snow-covered landscape. Or bring along your dog and take some cute photos or videos of him or her playing in the snow.
25. Holiday Shopping
Last, but most definitely not least, do some Christmas shopping! Remember to take some snack breaks as you check those items off your gift list.
Winter has never been my favorite season, but I’ve noticed that as I get older, I look forward to it a little bit more each year. It feels like things just seem to slow down a bit as we all cozied in for the winter. Let me know….what are your favorite winter activities?
If you’re looking for some affirmations to get you on the right track for the new year, check out this list of over 200 affirmations broken down by category!
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