Winter is co-...is here...

According to Weather.Gov (a far less ad-crammed website than The Weather Channel's website), it's supposed to get down to about freezing point.  After such mild weather, it's really a shock to step outside and immediately feel like you stepped into a meat freezer.  Granted, I'm not much of an outside person, so any temperature outside of "warm and balmy indoors" is a bit cold.  Basically, if you see me outside at any point, assume that there is a rare Pokemon nearby and follow me.

So, when the weather outside turns frightful, here are five things you can do that can be more delightful than trudging out in subzero temperatures after a Rattata that might be a Ditto (but is probably just a regular old Rattata. Still, you never know.).

1. Letter writing - Letter-writing is a bit of a lost art.  With the advent of email and instant messenger, it's hard to justify taking the time to sit down and actually hand-write a letter. It doesn't have to be in cursive (for you young kids who might be reading this - cursive is a kind of loopy scribble that people used to write in before the invention of computers), but taking the time and energy out of your day to write your grandmother or best friend a letter might just brighten their day a little. After all, who doesn't like to get mail that's not bills or junk mail?  If you're feeling really crafty, you can make your own envelopes out of interesting wrapping paper or old street maps.  It's sure to get your recipient's attention and make them smile.

2. Knitting or crocheting - This is a great way to make gifts for people when you're on a budget, and it's pretty easy to get the hang of the basics.  If you have no one in your life who would appreciate a sweet beanie, or pair of mittens, they are always appreciated at local churches, schools, and homeless shelters.  You can also make afghans, scarves, and shawls. A big enough size hook or knitting needle and chunky yarn will make these projects fly by quickly.  My favorite yarn to use for these kinds of projects is the suede-textured yarn because it's big and chunky, but also feels really nice and luxurious when you wrap it around yourself.  If you want to make something a bit more fun and three-dimensional, check out amigurumi.  You can find patterns for plushies for just about everything online, usually for free as long as you're making them for personal use.

3. Baking - People also love getting cookies and freshly-baked homemade bread as gifts.  Sometimes, they'll even share with the people around them.  In addition to making someone's day, your whole house will smell like fresh cookies or bread.

4. Board games - I know everyone probably has a stack of board games in the closet that are gathering dust.  When was the last time you and the family or your friends got together for a game of Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit?  Don't have any friends after your last game of Monopoly? No problem! Check out meetup.com to find a group of board gamers to join.  Or check out your local library. Sometimes they have programs where everyone meets up to play board games.

5. Volunteer - This time of year, there are a lot of lonely people out there who could use some cheerful company.  You could get some friends together and go caroling at the local nursing home.  You could help serve food at a homeless shelter.  You can collect newspapers to bring to an animal shelter, or canned food to donate to a food pantry.  

If you have any other ideas of good ways to spend your wintertime, leave me a comment!