When it's below freezing outside it can sometimes be difficult to find the motivation to leave the comfort of your warm home. Here are 4 things you can do to combat boredom while staying festive for the holidays. The cold shouldn't stop you from having fun inside whether that be by trying a new hobby or relaxing with some fun crafts and movies. Try out some of these ideas to help you stay in the festive fall mood and get ready for the holidays.
Decorate your home with some fun fall and winter crafts.
It's never too early to decorate for the holidays and it's never too late to decorate for fall (that is, if you're obsessed with autumn like me).
Find the full instructions on how to make these here:
http://sparkandchemistry.com/blog/leaf-mason-jar-candle-holder/
This simple craft is bound to bring the fall feels to your home. Whether it's fall or winter, this cute decoration will light up any festive area.
What You Need:
1. Leaves (real or fake)
2. Mason Jars
3. Mod Podge
4. Sponge Brush (or something to apply the Mod Podge)
What to Do:
1. Coat small sections of the jar in Mod Podge and let sit until it becomes sticky (it should only take a few seconds, you can check by tapping on it with your finger).
2. Place one leaf at a time on the jar and coat the leaf with small layers of Mod Podge (it could take a few layers of Mod Podge for the leaf to stick completely, so be patient with this process).
3. Starting with the center of the leaf, using your finger, apply pressure and push towards the outside of the leaf to get all the air out from under the leaf and ensure the leaf sticks completely to the jar.
Make Some Yummy Treats
Have a sweet tooth but don't know what to make? Try this recipe for Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats! They're perfect for any pumpkin lover. These treats are so simple, yet delicious.
Find the full instruction on how to make these here:
http://www.essentiallyeclectic.com/2013/09/pumpkin-spice-krispie-treats-festive.html
These shouldn't just be limited to fall or winter, these delectable treats can be made whenever you're feeling in the pumpkin mood!
What You'll Need:
1. 4 cups of marshmallows
2. 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
3. 3 Tbsp. butter
4. 1/4 cup pumpkin (can be canned, fresh, or pureed)
5. 6 cups Rice Krispie Cereal
What to Do:
1. In a saucepan, melt the butter and marshmallows and mix until creamy.
2. Add pumpkin and spices and stir (you can add more spices or pumpkin to taste).
3. Mix in Rice Krispie Cereal until all the cereal is well coated.
4. Place into a 9x13 in. pan and let sit for a few minutes until cooled and firm.
Make Hot Chocolate to Keep You Warm
Hot chocolate is the perfect drink during winter. Whether it's 10 degrees or 50 degrees, hot chocolate is the best drink to warm you up. Here's a delicious fall twist on the classic hot chocolate.
Find the full instructions here:
http://www.blendtec.com/blog/diy-hot-chocolate-builder/
What You'll Need:
1. 1 cup heavy cream
2. 2 cups milk
3. 1 cup white chocolate chips
4. 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
5. 1/2 tsp. pumpkin spice
6. Whipped cream and pumpkin spice for topping (optional but whipped cream is always highly recommended)
What to Do:
1. Heat cream and milk in a small saucepan until hot, NOT boiling.
2. Place chocolate chips in a separate bowl and pour hot cream and milk over the chocolate chips until melted and mixture is creamy.
3. Mix spices and vanilla in with chocolate and cream mixture.
4. Add whipped cream topping with extra pumpkin spice and enjoy!
Watch Some Festive Movies and Shows
Watching movies can be a perfect way to get your mind in the holiday mindset, as well as enjoy some quiet time bundled up in blankets with your warm pumpkin spice hot chocolate.
Here are some of my favorite movies that I watch every year around the holidays:
The Harry Potter series
The Harry Potter Series is always a good one to go back and re-watch every year, whether during the holiday season when you have time or during the summer. This is a fun family series to watch and brings back some fun memories from years ago when Harry Potter first came out.
Elf
Elf is a good, light-hearted movie that is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas mood every year. While some of the humor is aimed towards a younger audience, this doesn't stop adults (or me) from enjoying this movie over and over every year.
Stranger Things
This Netflix original has been all over the media for the past few months for good reason. Stranger Things is a fantastic thriller about a group of young boys whose lives are forever altered after they stumble across a young girl in the forest.
