Making The Most Of A Snowed-In Staycation

With much of the United States battered by snowstorms in the winter of 2014–2015, many cities found themselves more or less trapped indoors until the snow and ice thawed months later. If this winter finds you canceling your travel plans and staying inside, make the most of it with a fun winter staycation.

As long as you still have power, you really have all you need to turn your home into your own cozy hideaway. Camp out in your living room with a pile of blankets and pillows, with any four-legged or human housemates you decide to invite. Snacks are a must, whether you go for simple or extravagant — spiked hot cocoa and popcorn if you don’t want to clean any dishes, or think fondue and other gooey, cheesy dishes if you do. Open your curtains or blinds so you can watch the cold weather from the warm indoors and light your space with a few cozy-scented candles.

Solo entertainment can come in the form of a marathon of your favorite movies, whether you want to pick at random or follow a theme, such as your favorite 90s films, animated classics or horror flicks. A staycation is the perfect time to catch up on your reading, too, whether you prefer a good novel or the latest piece of fan fiction. If you’re lucky enough to have a few friends or a significant other around, dig out some board games or a deck of cards and enjoy some healthy competition.

If you do decide to head outdoors, make an event out of it. Walking the dog? Stop to take a few winter-inspired photos to post to your social media account. Just because it’s a staycation instead of a vacation doesn’t mean you can’t brag about what a great time you’re having on Instagram. Stop for snow angels, snowball fights and even a little sledding if you’re adventurous.

The main point — make the most of being snowed in. Sometimes being “stuck” can be exactly what you need to reboot and recharge.