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With one month left until the beginning of Spring, many of you are counting down the days. In reality, many of us won’t see any sign of Spring weather in four weeks. Winter weather continues in many areas of the country far longer than the first day of Spring. What to do until the warm weather comes?
I personally love living in the midwest, where we have 4 real seasons. I love cold weather and don’t want to see the humid summer come any quicker. But, for now, we still have bitter cold days and the occasional snow. What to do to survive the last few weeks of winter?
Get great winter gear on sale
Many stores are marking down coats, gloves, hats, and more during the Winter clearance sales. If you need or want a new coat this is a great time to save half-price! Stores want to get rid of all the heavy inventory, because they bring out spring apparel very early. You could be the winner!
Do something fun outdoors
If you love winter sports, this is a great time to get outdoors! You can schedule snow-skiing, ice-skating, cross-country skiing, or hiking. You may be able to find some last-minute deals, too. If you want to get outdoors in a warmer climate, plan your visit down south.

Try out some new recipes
If you’ve gotten in a winter cooking rut, it’s a great time to try a few new recipes. Look for some great Instant-Pot or slow-cooker recipes using seasonal vegetables. Bring out some of your least-used cooking gadgets and use them. I’m sure that your family would love a warm and hearty meal that is different from what you normally prepare.
If you’re snowed in, have a family night
Every night may seem like family night, but soon the days will get longer and the kids will be outside in the daylight hours. For now, bring out a fun board game or puzzle. Your family can enjoy hours of fun, along with a big bowl of popcorn. Movie nights are always fun, too.
Change something
When I get stir-crazy or get sick of how my home looks, I move the furniture. I love re-arranging the furniture! Even if it looks weird, and I have to move it back in a few days, it’s fun and energizing. It’s always hilarious to see the surprised looks on your kids faces when they get home.
Finish your winter bucket list
Go ahead and look. Did you get anything checked off your bucket list? If you’re a little behind, find something on the list to complete. You’ll have fun and feel a great sense of accomplishment.

Let your kids help you plan a special Saturday activity
Sounds scary, doesn’t it? No, you’ll have a great time if the kids have a say-so in planning a fun afternoon event. Go ahead and make those family memories that are worth more than you know.
Dust off the china
How about using your china or best dishes for family meals once in a while. Your family will feel special when you serve any basic meal on your best dishes. Light a candle or two and dim the lights. What good are those dishes if we never use them?
Have an indoor picnic
Now, you’ll want to do things like this when your children are young. When they get to be tweens and older they’ll think that this is lame. You can serve picnic foods on a blanket in the living room. Pretend like you’re outside (without the ants) and enjoy being a little silly.
So, don’t count down the days until Spring. Just try something to help you love Winter. And, enjoy those last few weeks.
@2020, copyright Lisa Ehrman
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- Lisa has been blogging since 2013, and loves sharing resources and ideas for living a simple life. To get free printables, bonus words, and more - sign up for the newsletter.
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I loved doing the indoor picnics! Whenever we’d see a beam of light fall on our kitchen floor, we’d get out a small blue and white checked tablecloth and eat our peanut butter toast in the sunlight.
I love all your ideas.
Oh, that sounds like so much fun! Thanks 🙂
This year I did some early spring cleaning. Did a bedroom closet, and gaveaway old clothes, that do not fit , to Goodwills. Also fixed some things around the house, and clothes, ect… Then gave to Goodwills.
Wow! Good work, Deb. I know that must have made you feel great to be ahead on your spring cleaning.
These are great ideas for coping with the last weeks of winter… I often find that’s when I am most anxious for spring to arrive!
Yeah, when the sun doesn’t come out for a few days, I can get a bit grumpy 🙁
Oh, man, Winter is getting old, lol. I’ve been recovering from MRSA and sepsis in a nursing & rehab place, literally learning to walk again, and I can’t even go outside so Winter is really dreary here. Fortunately, it looks like I’ll be getting out of here in the Spring.
You are really going through a terrible time. I’m so sorry to hear this. I’ll be praying that you can recover quickly and get outdoors soon.
Great article!
Thank you, Sara!
I need to look into the winter clearance sales in my area.
Oh, great idea! I hope you find lots of steals 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
You’re very welcome 🙂
It’s spring already soon, march really crept up on us.
You’re right! February went by too fast. But, I’m looking forward to flowers and green grass 🙂
I really like your suggestions. I am thinking of starting Spring cleaning!
Thanks! This nice weather really gets us encouraged to clean and refresh! I hope it goes well for you 🙂
I really like the tips!
This is great, now we need 9 ways to survive the last month of summer, LOL!
Haha I should have written that, too. August has been a doozie!
I love all of these ways to survive the last month of winter, including the meal on china.
Thanks, Shannon! Might as well enjoy the nice things 🙂
Around here we are quick to change/rearrange without warning. It is good to have a room look and feel different.I keep looking around my bedroom wondering how hard it will be to change my dresser around. We definitely need to get more family time outside, because except for my husband we are pretty much home all the time right now. I have a boat load of recipes I want to try, but my kids are so picky. You have great tips!
It’s a little harder to do everything you want to do, when everyone is home all the time. Sometimes, my family gets on each other’s nerves. I would love to eat some of your new recipes! hahaha Thanks, Tina!
I know that Fall/Winter is just starting but these ideas will work great. Thanks.
I’m glad that you like them!
I have to say..I am NOT a fan of winter! The cold used to not bother me that much but since I was in an accident and had major surgery in 2012, my body has been different. I’m cold all the time and absolutely freeze in the winter. I dream of days in the sun with my kiddos having fun and making memories! Thank you for these tips to hopefully pass this time a little more quickly!
I’m sorry that winter makes you so cold. Chronic health problems can make winter painful, too. Maybe spring will come early 🙂
This is so hard for me. I always go into a bad depression over the winter months.
I have a very hard time with winters. I always go into a severe depression. I used to go to a tanning bed to help.
Thanks for these great tips! I know we’re still deep in the heart of winter, but soon, we’ll be over it.