Erika Davis
Even in the best neighborhoods in Chicago, with so much to see and do, there can be frigid cold and snowy winter days when you don’t want to go outside. Chicago apartments can become winter weather retreats with a little creativity. Here are some out-of-the-box ideas for turning a snowbound day into a memorable event.
Host Your Neighbors: Chicago rental apartments allow people to socialize without stepping foot out in the cold. Snow days offer a unique chance to connect with others in your building when most of your neighbors are likely to be home. You can throw together a simple potluck or watch party without a lot of pre-planning. Another fun neighbor-to-neighbor idea is a progressive dinner – appetizers in one apartment, a main course in the next, dessert in a third, and so on.
Go on a Virtual Vacation: No need to go through travel hassles to get a taste of the tropics. You can turn your Chicago apartment into a vacation hotspot by picking a destination and then choosing music, food, and even outfits that fit the theme. Dreaming of Jamaica? Order food from Rogers Park-area favorites Caribbean American Bakery or Blow Wow Jamaican -or keep a bottle of their signature jerk sauce on hand to make your own culinary creations.
Get a Jumpstart on “Spring” Cleaning: Spending a few dedicated snow day hours on necessary but less fun tasks has longer-term payoffs. While cleaning and de-cluttering may not sound exciting, taking advantage of indoor days to knock those projects off your to-do list will help you maximize the warmer weather when it arrives. On the first balmy day of spring, think of how great it will feel to have your house in order so you can spend guilt-free time in the sunshine outdoors.
Visit a Museum from Your Couch: Most cultural institutions provide online opportunities to explore their collections from the comfort of your couch. The Pritzker Military Museum & Library offers a wide range of engaging content on military history, including on-demand webinars available to the general public and professionally produced streaming videos for museum members. The Art Institute of Chicago website also allows visitors to explore galleries and exhibits virtually or dive deeper into the art world via its blog and digital publications.
Cozy Up: A book, a blanket, and a cup of something warm and soothing is the ultimate recipe for a cozy snow day. Even if other people are in the house, you can set aside a “quiet hour” in which everyone finds their own reading space. Or choose a cozy group activity you can do together, especially one you don’t always have time for, like a puzzle, board game, or baking project. One benefit of snow days is they can give us the gift of time at home with our loved ones.
Spring and summer will be here before we know it, and we’ll all be out and about. In the meantime, snow days are a great reminder of all the benefits of home sweet home.
