Are You Excited For The Winter Season?
Winter is approaching, and finding activities during the season can be tricky. The cold weather and shorter days can often be isolating and make it hard to find the time to socialise, but we are here to help.
Whether you’re one of our lovely residents, hoping to become a Berkeleyparks resident, or simply looking for some new winter activities, we’ve got an option for you!
Outdoors
Although the cold air can be off-putting and make you want to stay inside, it is really beneficial to breathe some winter air. If you’re not one for getting out on a wintery walk to get your steps in, there are plenty of other options to still enjoy a breath of fresh air.
Christmas markets are a brilliant way to get out of the house and explore the beautiful area you’re living in. There’s bound to be a Christmas market near you, with hundreds scattered across the UK during the festive season, and they’re a great way to discover more activities in your local community, too. Why not enjoy a warming hot chocolate (or a mulled wine!) and browse the stalls to find some presents for friends and family?
Additionally, National Trust properties host Christmas fairs, which means you can explore the fair and a beautiful historic house at the same time. If you’re curious about properties and fairs in your area, the National Trust website has a page containing all locations and dates so you can plan your day out in advance!
Although the cold air can make you want to stay inside, it can be perfect for your health, and community walks are a great way to socialise and exercise. Facebook groups are a brilliant way to find out what’s happening in your local area; simply search for ‘local activities near me’ on Facebook or Google to find out more.
Indoors
If the outdoors isn’t your thing, you can do plenty of indoor activities to spice up the season, some you can do on a quiet afternoon and some that get the neighbours involved.
It’s great to try something you’ve never done before, and crafts are a great way to keep your hands and mind active. Knitting and crochet are fabulous introductions to fabric art, and you can make clothing for yourself and others. If you’ve tried one but not the other, try switching and expanding your skills.
With suitable materials, you can try all sorts of crafting, such as wreath-making with some autumn leaves from around the local park or working with air-dry clay to create anything you’d like!
It’s just as essential to keep your mind moving as it is your body, and learning about something new is a great way to keep your mind active. You can research how different cultures celebrate Christmas and past Christmas traditions. It never hurts to do a seasonal puzzle, either!
If you’re partial to baking, there are many great recipes to try! You could make some nutmeg ginger apple snaps through the transition from Autumn to Winter. In the lead-up to Christmas, you can make anything from fruit cakes to mince pies, which are lovely to share with neighbours. The BBC has a brilliant recipe for sugar cookies, which are fast to make and fast to eat and can be decorated however you’d like. Why not invite some friends or family around and have a baking day?
Staying indoors doesn’t mean being lonely; it can open doors to many community gatherings (if you find someone willing to host!). Throw an Ugly Christmas Jumper party or just have a quick get-together. Community is incredibly important throughout these cold months, and it’s best to keep yourself talking!
We’d love to hear how you plan on keeping busy during the winter months and if you try any of our suggested activities. Send us a Facebook message if you’re happy to share!
If you’re not already living comfortably in your park home, we’d love to help you start your journey. Contact our friendly team today on 01935 862079 or email [email protected]; we’ll be more than happy to help!
