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As February would have it, winter has hunkered down. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season has come to an end and we fall back into our old, familiar life rhythms. Winter can be a season of life requiring a lot of grit, especially as a mother and homemaker.

Winter homemaking, with or without kids, can take some creativity. Here are a few routines and traditions we’ve continued (and started!) as a family.

Candlelight Suppers

In the beginning of January, my three-year old daughter asked if we could have a “special candle” dinner. She was referring to our Christmas dinner, in which we ate by candlelight and used special dishes. This was the first Christmas that she was really able to soak everything in–the lights, the sounds, the food, and the cheer. I didn’t quite realize how special everything was for her until she requested this seemingly out-of-the-blue candlelit dinner. So, I obliged. I even bought some cute taper candlestick holders to keep on the table year round (shop my picks here). Since the request, we’ve eaten every supper by candlelight. It makes us all calmer, happier, and has created a special routine to look forward to each evening. I encourage you to try this for just a week and see the difference in your own family—it’s amazing!

Fresh Flowers

You’d be surprised by the amount of joy and warmth a jar or vase full of fresh flowers will bring to a home. I try to pick up a bouquet every time I go to the grocery store, often checking out the discounted blooms first. You can make cut flowers from the grocery store last at least a week or so by cutting the stems at a fresh 45 degree angle and changing the water every couple of days. I swear by this cut flower food.

Bath Time Fun

Bath time can be a lifesaver when the weather is bitter cold and outdoor time with your kiddos is limited. One way to make bath time more exciting and playful is to get this $10 disco ball lamp, grab some glow sticks, turn on some favorite kid-approved tunes and dim the lights. The kids have so much fun creating a mini bath time party and the glow sticks under water make it even more cool. The best part is you can use the disco ball lamp for so many other occasions (like birthdays and New Year’s Eve!)

Special Meals & Snacks

Another way to make the winter days indoors more bearable is by adding some joy to meal times. For instance, I try to surprise the kids with fun food, like Mickey Mouse pancakes with this awesome waffle iron. I’ve made an entire Pinterest board dedicated to fun meal and snack ideas for toddlers, too!

Another fun idea is to serve food on fun plates—I find a lot of cute ones at dollar stores, especially around the holidays (like Valentine’s Day right now!) It makes the kids feel special to have little surprises—it truly is the little things that mean the most.

I bake a LOT, especially in the winter. You can do a lot to make your treats look extra special for your family. I love to showcase muffins, cookies, and cupcakes on a pretty domed cake stand in the kitchen—it makes our home feel warm, inviting and cozy. Put your vase of fresh flowers by your cake stand and your kitchen is magazine-worthy with a little effort.

Soaking in the Slow

Overall, winter homemaking is all about soaking in the slowness. While there are days I yearn for spring and feel myself wishing the time away, I try my best to embrace the stillness of winter and the precious time I have with my little family. Making some small changes in your routines can really help put the magic back into this season.