90 Little Pleasures to Celebrate This Winter

This past summer I wrote a post on 94 simple things to be grateful for during summer. Summer is my least favorite season and needed the reminder of all there is to be grateful during that season. 

I know winter can be a hard season as well and thought I’d give you a list of 90 little pleasures to celebrate this winter season.

I think we can all use the reminder that there is much to celebrate during the heart of the winter season.

Why Celebrating Life’s Little Pleasures Matters

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)  is a very real thing. In the cold winter months, it’s easier to get trapped by negative thinking.

If you’re not familiar with SAD, it’s a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons. It usually lasts through the winter months.

That’s why finding the little things to celebrate that are uniquely winter matters. It is the best way to turn that negative mindset around.

This works because taking time to celebrate the simple pleasures in your life will have a big impact on your outlook. Far too often we wait to celebrate the big grandiose events.

It doesn’t have to be that way!

In fact, celebrating the little things is actually good for your health. 

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase something mentioned in this post. See more details here.

How to Learn to Celebrate the Life’s Little Pleasures

Ultimately this is a daily practice to look for the simple things to be thankful for as you go about your day-to-day life.

This means being intentional and making conscious choices. It starts by slowing down and savoring the little things. Sometimes it’s easy. However, sometime in the doldrums of winter, you have to be more purposeful.

Here are some ways to do that:

Keeping a gratitude journal

This does not have to be something complicated. A simple notebook you have lying around will do the trick.

At the start or end of each day write down something positive that happened that day. It may be as simple as the kids sleeping in — allowing you to enjoy coffee in quiet. Or if they got up early and you enjoy getting in a few extra snuggles.

By doing this, you’ll see at least one thing you were able to be grateful for each day.

Daily Prayer or Reflection

The best way to learn to celebrate the little things is to incorporate the practice into your daily routine.

Set aside a time each day to reflect on all the little pleasures you notice throughout the day. I prefer to do this in the morning as it starts my day off in a positive frame of mind.

But it is just as good to practice this when falling asleep each night. As you are drifting off to sleep reflect back on the good that happened that day.

Even if you just spend some time reflecting on the positive things while brushing your teeth it will still make a difference.

Pay Attention

Celebrating the little pleasures in life is just a matter of paying attention. Tell the people in your life that you’re grateful for them. Smile and say thank you to the grocery store clerk in recognition of the vast variety of foods readily available to you.

Do something kind for someone else. Helping others inspires us to pay attention to our own circumstances and see all the good that we have.

90 Little Pleasures To Celebrate This Winter

Did you know the average winter lasts 90 days? I know it feels much longer when you’re in the midst of it. 

So to help you find little pleasures to celebrate this winter, here is a list of one thing for each day of winter.

Use this list as everyday pleasures to remember or as a bucket list of fun winter activities.

1. Heaters
2. Making snow angels
3. Candlelight
4. Hot cocoa with marshmallows
5. Spending the day in cozy sweats
6. Crawling into a made bed
7. Listening to the rainfall
8. Using your favorite coffee mug
9. Reading a good book under a blanket

10. Soft cozy throw blankets
11. Freshly baked warm cookies
12. Pine Cones
13. The sun glistening on the snow
14. An afternoon nap
15. Soft warm lighting
16. Homemade soup
17. Sleigh rides
18. Skiing or snowboarding

19. Family game nights
20. Finishing an organizing task you’ve been putting off
21. Watching your pet sleeping
22. Coming home to a clean house
23. The sound of the snow cracking under your feet
24. Beautiful music waffling through the house
25. Planning for the future
26. Catching up with a friend

27. A good night’s sleep
28. Trying a new recipe everyone loves
29. A fire in the fireplace
30. Getting lost in a project
31. Wearing your favorite cozy sweater
32. Warm cinnamon rolls from the oven
33. An old-fashioned snowball fight
34. The way the snow looks on the trees
35. Wandering through a bookstore
36. Quaint coffee shops
37. Watching the rain or snowfall

38. Saturday morning pancakes or french toast
39. Reading a quote you relate to
40. Downhill sledding
41. Coming home to a warm house
42. A warm candle-lit bath
43. Wearing your favorite winter boots
44. Freshly baked warm bread

45. Getting caught in a rain shower
46. Volunteering at a shelter
47. A new pair of slippers
48. Ice skating
49. Staying in your pajamas
50. Setting new goals
51. Snuggling with a loved one
52. Indoor workouts
53. Doing a jigsaw puzzle
54. A bowling night
55. Blanket forts

56. Catching snowflakes on your tongue
55. The smell of fresh winter air
56. Comfort foods
57. Rosey checks
58. Icicles
59. Heated car seats
60. Ear Muffs
61. Fuzzy socks

62. Herbal tea in the evenings
63. Bundling up for a winter hike
64. Building a snowman
65. Donating coats or blankets
66. Seeing your breath in the cold air
67. Turning off the lights and watching a good movie
68. Bright blue skies after a storm
69. Hot desserts like peach cobbler
70. Valentine’s Day

71. Warm laundry from the dryer
72. Steamy windows
73. Oatmeal for breakfast
74. An unexpected snow day
75. Hygge season 
76. Hot tubs
77. Twinkle lights
78. Hockey games
79. Superbowl parties

80. Trying out a new chili recipe
81. Indoor picnics
82. Staying in a cozy cabin
83. An outdoor bonfire
84. Down Comforters
85. Warm scarves and mittens
86. Random acts of kindness
87. Memories that will last a lifetime
88. Extra time to declutter
89. Get-togethers with family and friends
90. The first sign of spring

What would you add to this list?