What Inexpensive Things Make Your Life Easier in Winter?
I do like winter. There’s something oddly satisfying about the ongoing battle against the elements. Each time I don’t fall on a patch of ice while carrying four bags of groceries, it feels like a hard-won victory. And yet, sometimes I wish winter would be a LITTLE bit less of an unmitigated ass ache. In the past, we’ve shared small, inexpensive things that make our everyday lives easier. And since this February has really been February-ing, we thought we’d share the little things that make our winter lives easier. Hang in there, gang. We’ve got less than a month (?!?!) to go…
Kelly Dawson, contributing writer
Lifesaver: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter
I don’t mean to sound like Lieutenant Dan, but I’m about to sound like Lieutenant Dan: it’s important to take care of your feet, especially in the winter! Dry feet can be painful; I use this cocoa butter on mine throughout the year — but especially during the colder months. I sit on the side of my bed each night and slather it on, like a mom in a movie scene, then seal everything with socks and slippers. Don’t forget the backs of your feet!
Brooke Williams, photographer
Lifesavers: HeatTech base layers and Quince ultralight sweaters
I swear by pretty much everything in the Uniqlo HeatTech family (see: my 2017 Week of Outfits), but especially the leggings, which double as long underwear. I put them on in October and keep them on until April (I’m wearing them right now). They’re so thin that they fit under almost anything without feeling bulky, and they really work. I’ve spent a lot of time at outdoor protests this winter, so I can definitely confirm this!
My other go-to under-layer pieces are these ultralight cashmere sweaters. They’re thin and fitted, so I’ll wear one under a thicker sweater to add warmth on extra cold days when I have to shovel my car out of the snow.
Casey Elsass, food writer
Lifesavers: Onsen Saru bath soak & Acorn Original Slipper Socks
I love the emotional process of all four seasons — but the emotions I feel about winter are mostly loathing and despair. One thing that helps is spending time in the bath. I recently found this Onsen-inspired bath soak and I’m obsessed. I don’t totally understand what the Himalayan salt and magnesium flakes do, but I’ll tell you, I feel like a spaghetti noodle after. And the cedar and pine scent is absolutely divine.
I’ve always had cold feet, so my other winter go-to are Acorn Slipper Socks, which I’ve been wearing since I was a kid. The wool part is breathable, so my feet don’t get sweaty. And the suede sole has extra structure and padding, so wearing them on my apartment’s hardwood floors is actually very comfortable.
Alex Ronan, contributing writer
Lifesaver: Better spices
During a very competitive white elephant gift exchange over the holidays, I won a set of spices from a small-batch spice store in San Francisco. I’ve since learned that a) high-quality seasonings actually do make a difference (especially in the winter when good produce can be hard to come by), and b) I really need to go through my spice drawer and toss all the stale, expired ones. Even upgrading one or two can make everyday cooking feel like a fun project. We’ve been adding a pinch of this herbes de provence to salad dressing, and it absolutely makes grocery store greens taste better.
Kaitlyn Teer, newsletter editor
Lifesaver: Dr. Bronner’s hand spray
To ward off sniffles and bugs, I keep bottles of Dr. Bronner’s lavender hand-sanitizing spray stashed everywhere — the car, my belt bag, you name it. Kids touch everything, so I’m constantly passing into the back seat after we’ve wrapped up at the library or grocery store. I love that the lavender fragrance smells fresh and herby, not harsh or sterile (same goes for this Trader Joe’s version, which I also use). We go through so many this time of year!
Abigail Rasminsky, contributing writer
Lifesavers: A really good mug
I grew up in Montreal, so I know winter. It really helps to have a mug that you look forward to drinking out of in the morning, especially when it’s still dark out. I asked for this East Fork mug as a birthday gift a few months ago, and I find getting out of bed less dreadful, knowing that it’s waiting for me.
Kelsey Miller, senior editor
Lifesavers: Pocket thermos & wrist warmers
My aunt was recently visiting from London, and while we were out on a cold, wet day, she suddenly pulled a tiny, screw-top bottle out of her coat pocket. It turned out not to be a flask of liquor (as I’d briefly imagined), but a stainless steel thermos. She uses it for tea when it’s cold, or just as a water bottle. When I asked where she got it, all she said was “Japan.” With some deep-Googling, I was able to track it down here. (My husband was less patient and found a similar one on Amazon.) It doesn’t hold a huge volume of liquid, but the convenience of something you can just stick in your pocket is SUCH a relief.
My other winter must are wrist warmers — aka, fingerless mittens. It doesn’t matter how high I crank the heat; some days, you can’t avoid a cold draft. I used to get distracted while working at my laptop, because my wrists would get uncomfortably cold after typing for hours (does anyone else’s desk surface get cold too?). The only thing that helps is fingerless mittens. Yes, I feel like a Dickensian character, working away in my little wrist woolens, but it’s amazing what a difference it makes in my day.
Now you go! What little things do you rely on to get through winter?
P.S. More inexpensive things that make life better, and a very low-key winter checklist.
(Photo from The Shining.)
