It’s clear to see that we are moving into the winter months. The autumn leaves have fallen leaving an army of frosty branches. We’ve had our fair share of rain and the temperatures have now indeed plummeted. An extra few minutes is needed at the start of the commute to scrape the frost from the windscreen, and gloves are a definite must-have. Christmas is certainly on its way.
A fresh winter morning can make it harder to get up in the mornings, with many of us wanting to sink into our duvets and hibernate. But work must go on, and the best way to do that is to take care of our homes, keep the warmth in, and adopt those cosy habits we’ve been waiting for all year. See below for some tips and traditions for a warm and Merry Christmas:
Keep the heat in
It may sound like an obvious one but keeping the doors to rooms closed really helps to keep the heat in that room. Rooms near the front door often have a draught which brings the cold air in. Older homes in particular often lose heat due to windy weather that creeps in. This simple tip can keep the warmth in so that you’re not continually cranking up the heating. If your home is not insulated it may be worth considering having this installed to save on your future heating bills, with plenty of Government loans available to help you insulate your property as the march towards eco-efficiency continues.
Dig the blankets out
Sadly, we’re not talking about pigs in blankets here but the practical blankets. Although we all have heating, sometimes there’s nothing better than cosying up on the sofa in front of the fireplace watching your favourite Christmas show. Not only is it a wholesome feeling, but it can also be more comfortable and give your heating a break. It would make a great Christmas scene for the whole family to sit together in festive, or even matching jumpers!
Christmas tipple
It’s fair to say that mulled wine has become a staple winter warmer over the years. They are commonly found at Christmas markets across the UK but they can also be made in your very own kitchen. It’s easier than you may think! The ingredients consist of: red wine, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, orange and lemon, and brown sugar. Most of which we already have in our cupboards. The added bonus to a mulled wine is that it is served warm, so a perfect way to warm in the festive season. But please remember to serve it in a heat proof glass! If you don’t drink alcohol you can still get the same feeling with this winter warmer by switching the red wine for pomegranate and apple juice. Voila!