This time of year is famous for getting too busy and hectic. Slow down and embrace a Winter aesthetic in every part of your life to help you savor this season! Don't let it pass you by just because there's a lot to do.
Being intentional about the seemingly small things is my favorite way to make normal everyday life beautiful all year round! From the kitchen to the clothes you wear to how you add little touches around your home, it all adds up.
Bringing that cozy winter hygge into your daily life helps you to romanticize the season even on the most mundane of days. Choosing to slow down at home or go do things you will all enjoy around town is part of savoring the season! Don't get caught up in the go go go and stress your way to Spring. You can do this throughout all four seasons: summer, autumn, winter, and spring.
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Winter color palette
The first step to achieving that cozy winter aesthetic in any part of your wardrobe and/or home is to think about winter colors! Winter overall has a certain feel to it and the holidays sort of have their own separate thing going on.
- Cool colors - Cool colors are green, blue, and purple. They fit in with the winter aesthetic perfectly!
- Some warm color choices - Red is a hit this time of year even though it's a warm color! Bright reds are used for Christmas while deeper reds that lean more maroon do well all season. Be sure to incorporate it into your home and winter outfits!
- Earth tones - Earth tones are colors that have a brownish hue to them. They do well year-round. Choosing cooler leaning earth tones can help to make your outfit fit that winter aesthetic.
- Cool and warm tone metals - Silver works well with cool colors while gold makes those vibrant holiday-inspired looks pop! It depends on what you are choosing to wear and what look you are going for.
Layered Outfits
Dressing appropriately for the weather is the most important consideration when putting together winter outfits. But, who says that means it can't be cute too? Layered outfits can be functional and beautiful at the same time!
- Coat - Choose a nice coat you feel confident in that also does its job well. On cold days, this will be the outside component of your layered outfits.
- Scarves - Have a few different scarves to choose from. They show even while you're bundled up outside and can stay on with the outfit underneath when indoors as well!
- Hats - Cute knit hats are a must this time of year! Knit them yourself or support a small creator over on Etsy!
- Gloves or mittens? - Are you a fan of gloves or mittens? They're a cute little touch to any outfit on a cold day!
- Sweaters - This is my favorite part of winter. Sweater weather every day. I rock those "ugly" sweaters from the thrift shop as often as possible!
- Boots - Choosing practicality and style can help bring your whole look together easily.
Christmas Decor
Part of achieving that winter aesthetic is decorating for Christmas in your home. Our decor stays up until January since we are Orthodox and celebrate on January 7th. Enjoy it while it's in your home!
- The tree - Real or faux, the tree is the center of attention. Decorate it however you like. Some curate the theme while others, like me, enjoy heirloom and handmade ornaments. I make beeswax ornaments and salt dough ornaments for that handmade feel.
- Stockings - Even if you don't have a mantle to hang them from, stockings are a sweet and traditional decor piece that is a must-have in my book!
- Matryoshka - Wooden painted Russian nesting dolls are a gorgeous and unique Christmas decoration! I like to line mine up on the side of the mantle from biggest to smallest!
- Garlands - Cranberries, popcorn, dried orange slices, pom poms, wooden beads, and so much more can be used to make DIY garlands! Hang them on the tree, across the mantle, or in your window for a lovely classic Christmas look.
- Lights - Faux candles that flicker and fairy lights illuminate the night and create a cozy warm winter aesthetic in your home!
- Paper bag snowflakes - Make DIY paper bag snowflakes for a rustic Christmas feel.
- Classic loved decor - Maybe your favorite decorations are passed down, thrifted, purchased, gifted, or a combination of all of the above. Bring them out and find a special spot for each!
Non-Christmas Winter Decorations
If you're looking to achieve that perfect winter aesthetic with only non-Christmas winter decorations or you're looking to keep some things out after the holiday time passes, I've got you covered.
- Natural elements - Pinecones, winterberry branches (real or faux), pine branches, etc are all sweet touches of winter that can be brought indoors to keep winter-inspired home decor in full swing even after the holiday season has passed.
- Candles - White soy wax candles and beeswax candles bring in that old-world winter aesthetic without being holiday specific. DIY some soy wax candles or support a small business to cozy up your home.
- White or evergreen - Bring in white and dark green throw blankets and pillows to make it feel like winter without any red that feels a bit too Christmas-y.
- Knits - Thick knit blankets are practical and gorgeous when trying to achieve the perfect winter aesthetic in your home.
Winter Playlist (Non-Christmas Music!)
Choose songs that feel like wintertime for enjoying by the fire or in the car. It's okay to want something other than holiday music now and then!
- Acoustic - Relaxing classical guitar or piano music helps to set that winter evening mood.
- Relaxing voices - Choosing to listen to artists that have a relaxed style helps you to slow
- Premade playlists - I created a winter aesthetic playlist to share that I add songs to whenever I discover something that feels right! Search for other playlists to enjoy this season.
Instrumental Christmas Music
Light background music is lovely on a normal day or while you enjoy time with company!
- Chill or upbeat? - Do you want very relaxing music or upbeat and lively? Take your pick and roll with it as you create your playlist!
- Premade playlist - Search for instrumental Christmas playlists or use the one I made to save yourself the work!
In the kitchen
This is my favorite time of year to be in the kitchen!
- Cooking - The soup season continues along with pot roasts, whole roasted chicken, honey-baked ham, and all those good hearty dishes!
- Baking - It's cookie time! Cutouts, gingerbread men, and so much more. Bake up some cinnamon rolls, too!
- Beverages - Hot chocolate, tea, coffee, egg nog! It's time to enjoy seasonal flavors in our hot beverages.
- Appetizers - Hosting season is in the air! Make a charcuterie board for your guests as well as a butter board next to some delicious warm bread.
Winter scents
Carry the winter aesthetic into the aroma of your home!
- Candles and wax melts - Classic beeswax for a natural scent or nontoxic winter-scented candles and wax melts fill your home with a lovely smell whenever the kitchen is getting a rest! Make your own candles and wax melts or support a small creator!
- Simmer pots - Winter-inspired simmer pots will fill your home with a lovely aroma. Use a small crockpot, stovetop pot, or a potpourri crock!
- Room spray - Safely combine some essential oils to suit the season in your own DIY room spray!
Winter Activities (at home and around town)
There are different things to do this time of year to help you enjoy and embrace the season. It greatly depends on where you live and what's local to you!
- Winter festivals - Use Google and Facebook to search for local events (both indoors and outdoors!) Some farms may have sleigh rides if you live in a place with snow, sledding, skiing, etc!
- Enjoy a fire - Bundle up and head outside with a mug of hot chocolate in hand or gather round the hearth! It's time to enjoy a cozy fire on a cold day!
- Take a drive - On a safe day with good weather conditions, take a drive around town to see the lights your neighbors have decorated their homes with!
- Reading - Crack open your next read next to the fire!
- Journaling and drawing - It's time to reflect on the season in your journal and take that inspiration into your drawings.
- Crafting - Sewing, knitting, paper crafting, embroidery, you name it! On those days you're stuck inside be sure to make the most of it by taking time for your passions.
- Cooking and baking - Bake some special seasonal cookies and get a cozy soup or stew simmering on the stovetop.
What is your favorite winter activity?
Leave a comment below to help others add to their winter bucket list!
Mariana
Melissa,
Thank you for sharing such lovely inspiration! Winter is such a special time of year and all of this sounds like the BEST way to embrace each day of it!
-Mariana
Melissa
Some of my favourite wintery things;
Painting moody paintings, drinking french vanillas/london fogs, hot drinks after chilling walks, going skating, watching B&W films while puzzling, re-arranging a room/area, filling up bookshelves with new books, playing solitaire (with real cards), warm baths with candles, making crepes, writing long letters to friends, watching the sunrise from the window with coffee, listening to melancholic piano music…
Among many other things! Many people hate winter, but why not embrace it? 🙂 My tip is to split January and February up into two different kinds of winter seasons. Find things that are specific February things (ex. Watching “Leap Year”, making Macrons, etc!)
Mariana
Michelle,
Enjoying life's simple pleasures alongside the seasons is absolutely the best way to beat the "January blues" Happy winter!
-Mariana
Michelle
Cozy blankets, books, candles, stargazing…all on the list of to do’s this January! Practicing hygge in January has taken away the January blues! Enjoy!
Mariana
Monique,
That sounds like a lovely cozy winter day! Enjoy the season!
-Mariana
Monique
Winter is my favorite time of year to sit my the stove with a great book!