Winter ready?
Channel your indoorphins, it's time to be a true homebody!
In Katherine May’s book, Wintering, she talks of the power of rest and retreat in difficult times, specifically her need, if not delight, in doing so over the winter. Indeed, this season is associated with dormancy, particularly in relation to animals and crops; some plants die, leaving their seeds, and others cease growth altogether until spring.
Historically, thinking back to Iron Age Britain, the key to making it through the winter was having enough food stored from the harvest. Porridge and stews were the usual fare, and bread was made almost every day. The evenings were probably spent in the dimly lit houses sharing histories and myths.
And so I love the word indoorphins, stolen from Grazia, of all places, and meaning the joy to be found indoors. For cosy season is officially upon us, and this time of hunkering down and spending more time inside is precisely when home can come into its own (or in truth, be revealed for how it fails — it’s surely no surprise that post Christmas is now the hot time for house hunting!)
So here’s 6 favourite winter home traditions from around the world…
But, reflecting my need to slow down, I want to alert you, dear readers, that I have paused payments on subscriptions from today until January 1st (this also disables the ability to take out a new paid subscription - you can still subscribe for free though, which frankly would be a good idea, as then you’ll be among the first to hear in the New Year when I’ll have a special offer for 2025.
The thing is, I’m taking small to Japan for the holidays (and we leave next week)! And while I will absolutely be absorbing all for future posts, I may not take my laptop. Travelling light and all that. Just a notebook and my camera. So, I’ll see you on the other side. I hope you enjoy the below…
Fika, from Scandinavia. Well-practised in surviving the cold and dark, Scandinavians see the holiday season as a time made for gathering with friends and family. Fika then is the Swedish custom of taking a break simply to enjoy a coffee, eat cakes and a catch-up together. Emphasising the importance of taking the time to enjoy the little moments with your loved ones, it is the essence of hygge. No big statements, gifts or ‘events’ required.
Jolabokaflod is a tradition loved by Icelanders across the world. The premise is simple, on Christmas Eve, gift a new book to someone you love. This tradition dates back to World War II, when products and gifts were few and far between, but paper was still relatively abundant. Today, in addition to spending the evening tucked up with a blanket and a read, Icelanders will often enjoy hot chocolate or jolabland (a non-alcoholic holiday ale).
Feeding wild animals. On the coldest days of the season, it’s a long-standing Lithuanian tradition to head out into the wilderness and feed animals whose typical food supply might be buried beneath heavy mounds of snow. Locals take out potatoes, other root vegetable and hay to pay their respects to nature. While you may not have deer or wild boar on your doorstep, I love the idea of this. Perhaps our equivalent could be a bag of dried mealworms bought for the birds, a great nutrient dense food for our feathered friends.
Bathe to bring in the New Year. In Japan, it’s apparently common to draw a hot bath scented with yuzu, an aromatic, citrus fruit that’s something between a grapefruit and lemon. The fruit can be whole, halved, or placed within a cloth bag to slowly release its scent, which is believed to ward off colds and to ease both the body and the mind. It’s also considered a good luck ritual for the coming year
Make some kimchi! Each year toward the end of November or beginning of December, extended families, friends, and various communities throughout South Korea mark the start of winter with Kimjang: in essence, the preparing and storing of kimchi. This mix of fermented vegetables (most notably napa cabbage) spiced with garlic, ginger, and Korean pepper flakes, is a Korean food staple, and absolutely delicious. Also a great way to use the glut of cabbages that come at this time of year. Here’s my favourite recipe.
Plus, get outdoors for a winter walk! It is one of those contradictory things, that if you feel cold indoors, the absolute best thing to do is to wrap up and get outside. If you have a dog, then you already have a reason. Albeit I admit, when it’s wet, dark and windy, the absolute last thing I feel like doing is ‘getting outside’ but when I do, oh the joy of returning home, all rosy cheeked and virtuous. Besides, breathing fresh air during the winter is crucial to maintaining a happy, healthy outlook. It’s too easy to hole up and stay sealed up. It’s really important to ventilate your home in winter, just as it is to ventilate yourself.
Thanks! Indoorphins is so nice!