Originally uploaded to flickr by sp3ccylad.
In Part 1, I shared some ideas for getting out of the house to beat the wintertime blues. But let’s face it, sometimes curling up at home is just what the doctor ordered. Today, I have a few suggestions to help prepare for those days when you’re at home, whether its your choice or mother nature’s.
If your favorite tactic for battling winter isn’t here, please share it with us in the comments. I know I need all the help I can get.
Stay In
If a negative windchill keeps you from getting outside, why not bring some cheer inside? During those warm, sunny months its a tradition to buy flowers from our local vendors, so treat yourself and do the same in winter. Greenworks on 7th at Pennsylvania, SE, has had a sale on tulips, my favorite reminder of spring.
This may also be a great time to transform your interiors. Winter is usually a slow time for contractors so if you’re ready now to start on an update or renovation you might be able to negotiate a good price for your project. Or, if you just want to spruce things up a bit, crafter Karen Kormondy creates custom accessories, everything from lampshades to reupholstering that oh-so-comfortable chair that has seen better days.
If you and your better half or roomies have been staring at each other a little too long, invite some friends over. Labyrinth has strategy and party games to keep you entertained for days. Our current favorites are Pandemic, where you get to save the world from spreading disease, and Carcassonne, a city-building game that is perfect for two players.
Like any good host, you’ll certainly want to offer your guests something to drink. With our neighborhood’s myriad of wine shops – from P&C Market and H Street Liquor Store to grande dames Chat’s and Schneider’s, we have at our fingertips the ability to put together just about any type of wine or liquor tasting at home to help pass the time on a snow day.
If some quality “me” time is what you’re interested in, stop by Riverby Books and pick up a gently-used classic to keep you company by the fire (or radiator, in my case). Alternatively, if you are one of the approximately 299 million Americans that made a new year’s resolution to get fit but jogging your way to frostbite isn’t of interest, check out the latest offering from workout maven and owner of Fitness Together Capitol Hill, Alita Brown. Brown recently launched monthly online radio and TV shows that will provide some exercise inspiration from the comfort of your laptop.