Winter Bucket List: 100 Things To Do In Winter

by | Dec 10, 2019 | Celebration, Lists | 5 comments

Happy Winter! Yes, the days are shorter and we’re less likely to get all that Vitamin D we crave, but that doesn’t mean we’re doomed to a terrible three months.

I love making lists of ways to celebrate things, and the seasonal changes are no different! I made you a list of one hundred things to add to your Winter To Do List, and a printable (colorful) PDF with my own ridiculous illustrations on it. You can download that for free below! If you’re in the southern hemisphere, I’ve got you covered with the Summer Bucket List.

Winter Bucket List: 100 Things To Do In Winter | Uncustomary

100 Thing To Do In Winter

1. Knit or crochet a scarf
2. Do a Polar Bear Plunge
3. Drink hot chocolate by a fire
4. Ride pantsless for the No Pants Subway Ride in January
5. Write thank you, holiday, and/or New Year’s cards
6. Store a snowball in the freezer for a nice summer surprise
7. Make a snow angel
8. Celebrate Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day at the end of January
9. Wear your funkiest pair of leg warmers (or treat yourself to a new pair)
10. Cook dinner in a Santa apron (and only a Santa apron)
11. Have a bake sale
12. Celebrate Black History month in a meaningful way
13. Go ice skating
14. Make paper snowflakes
15. Take bets on Groundhog Day
16. Donate gifts to the less fortunate
17. Go snowboarding or skiing; why not try this out
18. Curl up with a fluffy blanket
19. Build a fancy gingerbread house
20. Attend or host a tacky/ugly sweater party

Winter Bucket List: 100 Things To Do In Winter | Uncustomary

21. Celebrate Mardi Gras in February, even if you can’t get to New Orleans
22. Have a snowball fight (even indoors with fluffy plush ones!)
23. Volunteer at a homeless shelter
24. Make an igloo (bonus points if you dye the blocks with color dye)
25. Make a wreath out of ornaments, pine cones, paper, whatever you want
26. Sit in front of a happy lamp
27. Celebrate Pancake Day
28. Make a snow globe (you can even put your picture inside of one!)
29. Make a peanut butter feeder for birds and critters and hang it outside your house
30. Go sledding with tubes and fun equipment
31. Knit a sweater for a tree
32. Dip paper in water and make frozen paper art
33. Get 50% off candy on December 26th and February 15th
34. Drink lots of eggnog
35. Make your own candy (but don’t go all Monica with it)
36. Draw and write in snow with food dye
37. Catch snowflakes on your tongue (have a contest)
38. Go caroling (bonus points if it’s nowhere near Christmas and/or it’s not Christmas songs)
39. Build a blanket fort and cuddle up in there with some books and twinkle lights for days
40. Build a snowman, snowwoman, snowchildren, snowpostworkers…

Winter Bucket List: 100 Things To Do In Winter | Uncustomary

41. Put together a banging winter playlist to get you through the cold weather
42. Plan some resolutions and goals for the new year
43. Draw snowman faces on marshmallows (if you need inspiration, think of Ron Swanson)
44. Shovel your neighbor’s sidewalk as a random act of kindness
45. Rent a cabin in the woods and get cozy with someone for a weekend
46. Make snow cones with snow from outside and some flavored syrup
47. Invest in some fancy new onesies that transform you into a dinosaur, unicorn, flying squirrel…
48. Make a list of things you accomplished over the past twelve months
49. Paint pine cones or dip them in glitter
50. Lounge in an outdoor hot tub




Free Bucket List Printable

51. Attend Frostburn
52. Rent a snow machine
53. Fog your car windows and make art in it (bonus points if you fog them from making out in your car)
54. Wear a red light-up reindeer nose
55. Try out a Pinterest recipe for some mulled wine
56. Put up flyers for “missing” snowmen
57. Grow out all your body hair
58. Make furniture out of snow; it’s like a free extra living room
59. Take a carriage ride
60. Buy new slippers and pajamas

Winter Bucket List: 100 Things To Do In Winter | Uncustomary

61. Find a connection with someone who will let you drive a zamboni
62. Host a cookie and/or cupcake party
63. Make a calendar for the upcoming year
64. Ride on a snowmobile
65. Feed reindeer
66. Make a creative advent calendar counting down to the end of the year, Christmas, or whatever you want
67. Watch all your favorite TV shows’ Christmas episodes back-to-back
68. Go see the Nutcracker ballet
69. Attend a hockey game
70. Host a scarf abandonment project for those in need
71. Paint fake snow on your windows
72. Celebrate Galentine’s Day with your favorite babe friends
73. Try to freeze water balloons (bonus points for food dye)
74. Kiss under mistletoe
75. Sit in your warm car and watch sledders eat shit
76. Drive around to look for seasonal twinkle lights
77. Watch Christmas movies + movies like Snow Day
78. Ask people what their resolutions are and figure out how to help them and hold them accountable in the new year
79. Make a vision board
80. Explain Atheism to your cat for Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day

Winter Bucket List: 100 Things To Do In Winter | Uncustomary

81. Put a fondue fountain in your house and eat all the chocolate
82. Get as creative with Elf On A Shelf as you possibly can
83. Make your own potpourri
84. String together popcorn garland
85. Host a Superbowl Party (and then only watch the commercials)
86. Practice your shadow puppets with flashlights
87. Go to an ice bar
88. Put twinkle lights under the snow or inside your car (battery packs, yo!)
89. Practice your latte art skills
90. Make your own ice rink in the backyard
91. Create an ice sculpture
92. Make a snowman out of balloons
93. Make syrup out of snow candy
94. Hand out condoms for Valentine’s Day
95. Walk through a Christmas tree lot, if just for the smell
96. Adopt a penguin or a polar bear
97. Use Lucky Charms instead of marshmallows in your hot cocoa
98. Host a Secret Santa gift exchange
99. Go for your morning jog in a Santa costume
100. Don’t take your twinkle lights down; leave them up year round

Want an awesome printable checklist of this Summer Bucket List? Download it for free below!

Free Bucket List Printable

Photos: Maura Housley




In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

Automatically Build Your Email!

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

Automatically Build Your Email!

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject: 


✉️ Open in My Email App




Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.
 





			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
				
				

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
I’m so glad you asked.


DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.


The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.


There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.


There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.


The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.


And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.


I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.


I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.


That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

			

				
				
				
				
				
There are Merriment Makers everywhere.


People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.


Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.


I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.


And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.


There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.


I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

			

				
				
				
				
				
💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com


🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com


🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle