“A season of shivers” is the prediction from the Old Farmer’s Almanac. In Chicago we’ve been bracing ourselves. These are some of the winter traditions that our family looks forward to, as we countdown to warmer times.
10. Bundle Up And Get Outside – What else can you do?
Build a custom snowman and challenge each other to a (gentle) snowball fight
Project a (short!) holiday movie outside
Go sledding on the nearest hill
9. Enjoy Decorations Galore – A little magic is essential
Pick out a tree to decorate together
Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo's festive ZooLights
Take a pajama car tour of the decorations downtown
8. Reach Out to Friends – Remember who’s important
Send paper cards with handwritten messages
Plan holiday socials (recently held outdoors or virtually)
Facetime or Zoom with family far away
[Related: How to survive a Chicago winter with kids]
7. Undertake A Giving Project – Truly embrace the meaning of the season
Deliver food in person
Make bedazzled cards with heartfelt messages
Fulfill holiday wishes
6. Make And Eat Special Foods – Enjoy the delicious
Bake family cookie and shortbread recipes
Create a (truly unique!) gingerbread house
Indulge in a home hot chocolate bar (with current favorite: unicorn poop marshmallows!)
5. Meld Our Cultures – …while exploring others
Invite our American Elf on the Shelf to come out on December 1st
Pull English crackers to reveal paper hats and silly jokes
Recognize and learn about other cultural holidays through crafts and stories
4. Respect Family Traditions – Take the best of the past
Play together as a family, raiding the games closet
Lay an extra place setting on feast days, to welcome unexpected guests
Walk off over-eating on Boxing Day (December 26th) and be at one with nature
3. Connect With Santa — Socially distant, of course
Send a letter to Santa (one that generates a return!)
Wave to the CTA Holiday Train
Enjoy a meet-and-greet with Mr. Claus (most recently virtually, with fabulous video recording)
[Related: Holiday activities in Chicago for special-needs kids]
2. Cozy Up Inside — Embrace hygge season
Watch any version of The Grinch during movie nights with homemade popcorn (on repeat!)
Gorge ourselves on s’mores around the fireplace
Visit the Art Institute, the Museum of Science and Industry's holiday exhibit, or a family-friendly installation — all warm and indoors!
1. Welcome The New Year — Celebrate a fresh start
Make our own party poppers (with toilet rolls, balloons and confetti)
Take in the London fireworks live (conveniently at 6 p.m. CST)
Create New Year Intentions collages to pin up and refer to during the year ahead
Despite the bitter temperatures, there are plenty of activities to do during a Chicago winter. By the time of the first snow fall, our family is ready for our annual winter activities. Over the years we’ve come to realize that you just need to embrace the change of season, not resist it!
