After Christmas, it can feel like just a couple of grey, cold, months that lie ahead with not a lot to do and a lot of cabin fever.

But the good news is there are things you can do to make you feel productive even in the winter time and also help you prepare for spring, and help the winter months pass by a little quicker.

Here are five ways to get through the winter even if all you want is for it to be spring already, and be that much more excited for when it finally comes.

Make sleep a priority

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Since it is cold and grey and the sun goes down a lot earlier it may be time for you to also go down earlier and catch up on sleep that you have probably been needing.

The winter is a great time to get more sleep and get in the habit of having an earlier bedtime, which will not only make you feel more rested but also help prevent the chances of you getting sick, which can be an issue in winter.

Organize your home

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The one upside to being stuck in your house all day because it’s freezing outside is that you can use that time to do some organizing.

You can go room to room and write down all the things you’ve been meaning to do and then each day you can mark those items off of your list.

Not only will it be nice to spend time in an organized home, but you can also involve the whole family because they are also stuck inside and can help the house get into tip-top shape before spring.

Clear your driveway

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Clearing your driveway of snow and ice is a great way to be motivated to actually leave your house, but also ensures that you actually will be able to if you ever need to.

It may seem silly considering once you clear the snow only more will come, but making sure to do it on a regular basis will ensure that it stays relatively clear and doesn’t become overwhelming.

If you are not in the mood to do it and want some professional help you can hire snow removal services to come and do it for you, and you can look for some in your area by visiting websites like ifyardbutler.com.

Go outside

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Although this may be the very last thing you want to do during winter and before spring comes, getting outside will really help your mood and give you something to do.

Even if it’s just for a short walk or if you are feeling more adventurous and go skiing or snowboarding, getting outside will get you moving and active and make time pass a lot quicker.

Have a nice fire

Another simple thing that makes a big difference, in the wintertime, there is nothing like building a nice warm fire and sitting by the fireplace, reading a good book, or watching a good movie.

It will make winter time a lot more bearable and help pass the time before spring finally comes.

The post 5 Ways To Get Through the Winter Even If All You Want Is Spring appeared first on InstantELLA.

If you already have a special someone or are looking for a something to do or see with someone you are interested winter is a great time of year for fun and festive date ideas.

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From sleigh rides and winter hikes to fun night activities in Hollywood, California (or wherever you are), there’s something magical for everyone to enjoy.

Here are five fun and festive date ideas to do this winter that will make this time of year the best time of all.

Bake a pie together

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Nothing starts the holiday season more than pumpkin pie, apple pie, or pecan pie.  Whatever pie is your favorite create a fun evening by getting all the ingredients for your favorite pies together and then make and bake them!

You can even turn it into a fun little competition, and the best part is that you get to enjoy a yummy treat at the end of it, so this date idea is really just a win, win.

Get lost in a corn maze

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Who says you can’t go to a corn maze in the winter? Corn mazes are a super fun date activity in the fall, but in the winter you can find one that’s abandoned and get lost alone with the special someone.

It’s a fun date where you will have to work together to get out of the maze, which is a great way to get to know each other. You can look up some really creative corn mazes in your area that were created by Mazeplay, which are not only fun to walk through but fun to look at as well.

Go on a sleigh ride

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Another fun activity that gives you an excuse to cuddle up to that significant other is a sleigh ride.

Most of the time you can find these downtown or in your city center. Just do a quick search for sleigh rides in your area. Bundle up in warm clothes and snuggle up as you enjoy a relaxing sleigh ride together.

Take a long drive

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Even if the snow has started to fall, a long drive is always a good time with someone you enjoy spending time with.

A great way to get a front-row seat of some beautiful views is to take a drive up into the mountains to check out the snow or drive through a forest. You can even make it more of an adventure by stopping at a few breweries in PA or elsewhere along the way to sample seasonal craft beers and warm up between scenic stops.

Listen to your favorite music, talk and get to know each other better, or just hold hands and take in the peaceful scenery.

Have a cozy night in

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A date doesn’t necessarily have to be extravagant or involve a complicated activity, in the winter it can be as simple as simple as cuddling up to a warm fire together and putting on your favorite movie.

Throw in some hot chocolate and a couple of fuzzy blankets and you have a fun, cozy night for two.

While a cozy night in with a movie is wonderfully relaxing, sometimes the perfect date involves stepping out to enjoy exceptional food without the fuss of cooking. Imagine a leisurely Sunday, where someone else handles the preparation, serving up a hearty, traditional meal that warms you from the inside out. For those seeking a truly memorable culinary experience, places like Temper restaurant offer a fantastic Sunday roast, complete with succulent meats, crispy potatoes, and giant Yorkshire puddings. It’s an ideal way to spend quality time together, savoring delicious British produce cooked with a unique, fiery flair. This kind of relaxed, indulgent meal can be just as intimate and enjoyable as a night on the sofa, providing a perfect end to the weekend.

Whether you stay in or dine out, the essence of a great date lies in shared moments and genuine connection. It’s these simple yet meaningful experiences that create lasting memories and deepen your bond.

The post 5 Fun and Festive Date Ideas to Do This Winter appeared first on InstantELLA.

Sure, there are plenty of haunted houses out there that go above and beyond to traumatize their visitors for good money, but how often do you get to tailor scare tactics to your own friends, family, and other visitors? In the end, they’ll likely expect you to do it again next year, too.

Use this outline to get organized so your haunting will come together as well as any witch’s brew.

Location & Layout

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Before you get carried away with spooky ideas, remember that your haunting has to fit in the space you have. So choose your location carefully. You might not be able to take people through every room of your house like you want, or you may find some of your favorite ideas will be best executed out in the yard.

Draw out a few different options for the layout of your haunted house and the path you’ll lead your visitors along so you don’t have to uninvite any vampires or ghosts to your haunting. If you’re planning to have it up all month long, you’ll want to make sure some things are easy to stow away so your home can be lived in during the day and quickly transformed for the dead at night.

Scenarios

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You’ll want to plan out your scares and scenarios for your specific audience as well. Young kids might not do too well with depictions of chainsaws and torture, but adults may find your werewolf pretty pathetic.

Think about scenarios that would scare you and try to bring those to life in the best sections of your layout. Think mad scientists, zombies, and shadowy monsters. And, if you think they’ll need it, give your guests a respite with the cutesy side of Halloween, too: smiling pumpkins and fairies will help any troubled heart feel just a bit safer until they turn the next corner.

Lighting

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Before you go throwing decorations on the walls and in all the corners, take a serious moment to plan out the lighting for your haunted house. You may think turning all the lights off will do the trick, but how can people get scared if they can’t see anything?

You can make use of any portable lighting you already have like lamps and fairy lights, but it wouldn’t hurt to bring out the bigs guns with some extension cords. Blacklight or other colored lights are always a great choice because of the distortion to reality. And don’t forget how effective strobe lights will be with any moving props or people in costume.

Props

It’s easy to go overboard and over budget with props, so scout out the Halloween shops, your favorite holiday Pinterest boards, and the dozens of DIY articles detailing how to make your own creepy objects from cheap, everyday items.

You might decide to splurge on some key pre-made things then fill up the rest of your space with cobwebs and old wine bottles dripped over with candle wax. You won’t have to fill up every space in the room either. Empty spaces make for great dark patches and will help keep everyone safe from tripping or falling in the midst of their terror.

People

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For those who are happy to go the extra mile, initiate your family members into the game by letting them dress up and become part of a scenario. Your kids will get a thrill from giving people a scare, and you’ll be able to keep the haunted house from getting too predictable.

While lots of people do like to get scared, don’t forget that people will need a reprieve, so make sure you supplement your scares with some other fall fun along the way. You’ll always be able to come back to the haunted house when you’re done.

The post Creating Your Own Haunted House appeared first on InstantELLA.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO KEEPING YOUR KIDS WARM ALL WINTER

Not only will these purchases make a practical addition to your little one’s closet, but they’re often a lot more economical post-christmas – thanks to the January sales. So wear your chunkiest knitwear and grab a cup of cocoa as we count down our top picks for children’s winter clothing.

Why have one coat when you can have two for the same price?! With this girl’s printed reversible jacket from Fendi. The silver quilted polyester on the once side adds a practical element piece while tapping into the metallic trend. The designer jacket is given the Fendi signature style through the pink monster print that covers the coat. This jacket is the perfect addition to any little girls winter wardrobe. Pick up this jacket at chocolateclothing.co.uk

Sometimes less is more. This BOSS Kids boys black padded jacket with detachable hood is the perfect example of this. The timeless black quilted coat makes for a versatile and practical addition to any boy’s winter wardrobe. While the detachable hood adds an adaptable nature that is ideal for unpredictable winter weather. The designer jacket is completed with a white trim on the hood adds a dynamic colour contrast.

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with prints! So many of us fall in the habit of swapping style of function during the colder seasons, but you can have both! This pink floral print padded jacket from Monnalisa creates the perfect balance between femininity and practicality to keep both you and your little princess happy. Pair the jacket with a classic pair of blue jeans for an instantly chic casual look.

When it comes to keeping your child bundled up this winter, accessories are just as essential as their coats. These navy wool gloves from Ralph Lauren are the perfect addition to any boys winter closet. The red Ralph Lauren embroidered logo and matching trimming add a bold colour contrast while confirming the quality of the designer gloves. Pair the gloves with a matching scarf and puffer jacket for a complete look.

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So there you have it, my top picks for children’s winter wardrobe. I hope you enjoyed this look at the very best items on the market and found the perfect piece for your little one. All the products mentioned in this post can be found at www.chocolateclothing.co.uk.

The post Winter Warm-Up for Kids! appeared first on InstantELLA.