With the dark evenings well and truly upon us, it’s the perfect time to take up a new hobby. Nobody wants to be heading out in the freezing rain for a jog, so I’m talking about the kind of hobby that’s best enjoyed at home, ideally tucked under a blanket. I’ve been trawling the Internet for inspiration and have come up with five ideas for fun things to do on winter evenings. Let’s dive right in.
MAKE YOUR OWN LEAF PRINT SOCKS
I am very much the kind of woman who likes to mooch about on an autumn day looking at leaves and trying to get my children interested in nature. When I saw this activity on Instagram then I immediately saved it. I absolutely love the idea of using the colours and shapes of natural materials to create one-of-a-kind items and this woman uses leaves and flowers to make unique prints on socks and more. Who knows, by this time next year I could have my own dye garden.
TAKE A CHANCE WITH ONLINE POKER
I always think of winter as the perfect time for playing games. Whether that’s getting the whole family around the table for a game of monopoly or enjoying a bit of time to yourself playing online poker, that’s up to you. There’s a lot to be said for online gaming. For a start you get to do it in your pyjamas in the comfort of your own home, plus you can go completely at your own pace. It’s lovely to win of course, but playing any kind of game can be fun regardless.
Remember to always be sensible with any kind of online gaming activity and never play with more money than you can afford to lose. When the fun stops, stop!
TAKE UP KNITTING
I went away for a couple of nights recently and stayed in what was generously called a hunting lodge. It was actually more like a large shed which somebody had decorated with pictures of hounds and horses. It was cosy though, and it had a wood burning stove, and both evenings I lit a fire, put the TV on and knitted. After just two evenings in my hunting shed, I had made an entire hat!
I also slept amazingly well. That could’ve been down to the noise of the rain on the wooden roof of the lodge, but I suspect it also had something to do with how relaxing knitting can be. It’s very meditative to finish row after row while you listen to the clacking of the needles and see your knitted masterpiece grow before your eyes. Plus, at the end you’ve got something practical – I walk the dog a lot and a hat is always handy in the winter.
REVIVE THE ANCIENT ART OF LETTER WRITING
Back in the olden days before television, the Internet, or even the radio, dark evenings were very much about making your own fun. If you weren’t playing a round of bridge, ladies were taking a turn around the drawing room or entertaining the local dignitaries at the piano. If you don’t have a piano or know any local dignitaries, then don’t worry because one old-fashioned past time that anybody can enjoy is letter writing.
If you have friends or family that you don’t get to see often then why not spend an evening writing them a letter rather than simply sending them a WhatsApp? I promise that they will appreciate it and you might even get a letter in return! There’s something really fun about getting post that isn’t either a bill or a flyer from the local pizza shop.
WRITE THAT NOVEL
Most of us have felt at some point like we have a novel in us, but very few of us have ever sat down and tried to write it. Why not give it a go this year? You’ve got nothing to lose and who knows, you could pen the next Harry Potter. Even if your novel doesn’t make it as a bestseller the act of writing is in itself very therapeutic, and it can be hugely satisfying to sit for an hour and find you’ve entered that elusive state of flow and actually have a story to show for it.
Without wanting to blow my own trumpet, (I do want to), I have written a novel and although it was certainly hard work, it feels amazing to have that ticked off the life list. I’m not sure I would want to do it again, but I’ve never regretted the effort and am very proud of the accomplishment. If you want to take a peep you can find Playgroups and Prosecco on Amazon.
Whatever you choose as your next hobby I hope you give it your all and have a brilliant time!