The Observer, November 9, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 10
Top 10: Must-haves for winter
As we all know, winter is fast approaching and will come sooner rather than later in Cleveland. With dark nights and cold mornings in the shower ahead, it seems inevitable that the excitement of first snowfalls will quickly turn to rash anticipation for spring. In hopes of making this winter a little easier, here are the top 10 must-haves for winter.
10. Wellies. The classic rubber boot made popular in the countryside of England and with fishermen around the globe is starting to take hold on the young and trendy. While these boots are nearly indestructible, they also cover most of the calf, making them a necessity for anyone who is forced to walk through mounds of wet and muddy earth.
9. Fleece. In the transition from sweatshirt to heavy coat, the fleece doubles as a sweater in poorly heated buildings. This ultra comfy half-coat, half-sweater will keep you warm in layers or by itself.
8. Hot cocoa. In my earlier years, I used to come home from school to a mug of hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows waiting for me. Even though dorm life is not quite like home, hot cocoa will undoubtedly bring lots of warm memories. Keep individual packets of Swiss Miss with marshmallows nearby. Add milk for extra creaminess.
7. Winter movies. On the weekends when it is too cold to leave your bed, it will be time to spend the day watching winter classics. Love Actually is a chick flick that many guys really enjoy as well.
6. Bathrobe. I have found through much experience that the walk from the bathroom to the bedroom in the morning after a hot shower leaves me cold for the rest of the morning. A warm fuzzy bathrobe really does the trick, which doubles as a lounge coat when no one is around.
5. Camera. For those first snowball fights and holiday memories, always have a camera on hand. Vintage Polaroid cameras capture the moments quickly and are more fun.
4. Reading material. A great book or even some trashy magazines are some of the best company in bed on a lazy afternoon. Listening to the wind howl outside under mounds of pillows is prime reading condition we should all take advantage of.
3. Spandex. No one loves spandex more than me, but aesthetic reasons aside, we will all need a bit more room after all those holiday dinners and cookies. It will be great under pants as well for the easily frozen. Guys, don't be shy, we know you at least have some elastic banded pants in those closets.
2. Comfort food. Meat and potatoes is classic, so is cake, but everyone secretly has some sort of comfort food that not only fills them up, but raises their spirits.
1. A sweetheart. Nothing beats the winter blues like someone to cuddle with. Most would argue that love is in the air in the springtime, but staying in with lots of blankets is more romantic. In the end, even if you're single, having the ones we love close by is the epitome of wintertime. What better way to end a snow angel-making contest than with tea for two?
