Let’s Get Lit: 10 Ways to Stay Warm and Have Fun This Winter
Credit: Erin Deborah
By Laila Bell
Frosty mornings, cold nights, and dark evenings have arrived, which means it’s official: winter is here. Whether you’re in Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Dublin, or Belfast – here are some of my top tips for staying warm and having fun this winner.
Mulled Wine
If the commute home from work or walk back from the pub is getting too cold to cope with, there is a simple solution: get your wine jacket on. And what better way to do that than with a hearty, warm glass of mulled wine?
Good Housekeeping’s annual festive food review awarded Morrisons with the ‘Best Mulled Wine’ award, but you can pick up a bottle from most supermarkets for under £5.
Be careful, though. It’s so good that it “might go down a little too easily”, say the panel of housekeeping experts. I’d recommend drinking responsibly, especially around the Yuletide period; try to avoid ruining Christmas for your family.
Knitwear
Get yourself a knitted jumper or scarf. Knitwear is chic, warm, and looks good. If you want to treat yourself, I’d recommend checking out the knitwear collections at Arket, Brandy Melville, Reiss, or & Other Stories. But if you’re looking for something cheaper, I’ve found some of my best finds in local charity shops.
Make sure to check out the materials, though. Natural fibres like merino wool, cashmere, alpaca, and linen, are the most warm and long-lasting. The best thing about wearing knitwear in my opinion, is that even if you feel like a mess on the inside, you’ll look good on the outside.
Go on a long walk
Walking raises your body temperature and releases endorphins, which means it’s good for the mind, body, and soul – so don’t let the cold weather put you off, and get outside this winter. An added bonus of winter-walks is that they tend to be quieter.
I’m from seaside town Bournemouth, and prone to winter walks along the promenade – which is bustling in summer but near empty in winter – with my dog and a flask of tea. Wherever you’re based, I’d recommend having a browse on the Trainline app. You could find a bit of forest or find a coastline walk – make a day of it.
Moisturise – with SPF!
Moisturiser acts as an insulator to keep your skin warm, and also prevents winter-induced dry skin. E45 sell a great body moisturiser for under £10. And make sure to pick a face moisturiser with SPF 30, minimum. The sun might have dipped, but skin-damaging UVA rays are equally strong in winter and summer. Superdrug sell a great Vitamin E, SPF-loaded Moisturizer for just £5.
Eat Root Vegetables
Onions, sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrot, and garlic. Roast them in olive oil and season with rosemary and thyme. Pair with a glass of mulled wine, and you’ll soon feel warmer.
Root vegetables are packed with more complex carbohydrates than their surface-level equivalents, meaning their digestive process requires more energy, which increases your body temperature.
Get an Electric Blanket
Electric blankets are energy efficient – costing roughly 5p an hour to run, according to Ofgem. Their warmth will also help you sleep better and relieve muscle pain. This one is just £22 from Asda.
Possession of a heated blanket will also make my next suggestion feel far more luxurious.
Have a Lie In
Picture this: it’s 8AM on a Saturday morning in December. You open your blinds and look out the window: it’s still dark and raining. Inside, it’s cosy and warm. So it’s a no-brainer. Go back to bed, and have a lie-in.
Warm Socks
I’ve been a sock-fiend ever since my Nan bought me a three-pack of woollen socks from M&S four-years ago. We lose a lot of body warmth through our feet, so trap that heat in – with a quality pair of thermal socks.
Go to a Winter Market
You can’t beat winter, so you might as well embrace it in full-force and head to a Christmas market. You could ice-skate at Hyde Park, have a family day out in Manchester, or enjoy some traditional German grub in Padstow. Check out the Radio Times’ best Christmas markets to visit in the UK here.
Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones are great: you can listen to some Christmas bops and keep your ears warm at the same time. My favourite Christmas album is Justin Bieber’s Under the Mistletoe, out of pure nostalgia for my tween-years.
But if you’re looking for a different vibe, Cliff Richard is releasing a Christmas album after nearly two decades this November. Whatever tickles your musical fancy, this pair are only £30 from John Lewis.
