Winter in Canada can be freezing. Sorry, let me rephrase it: Winter in Canada IS freezing.
Not only that, but it's also extremely long. This country is so well-known for being cold, that some people actually think we have no summer. Well we do! If you happen to take a nap sometime between June and September you might miss it, but it exists, I swear. We have sandals and short sleeve dresses, we go to the beach and occasionally even complain about how hot it is (not me, other people who clearly don't appreciate the heat).
Where were we? Oh yes, Winter.
So it's cold and you need to be prepared. Not Israel-prepared which is wearing a jacket and dusting off your umbrella. You need to be ready-ready, winter gear and everything.
Here are the 10 Must Haves that help me survive the Canadian Winter, in case you were wondering what it's like (you were, cause you ask me all the time!).
Coat. The colder the description sounds, the warmer it is: Arctic, Stormhenge, Thermal etc. You need a coat to protect your body from snow, wind and rain, but also one that doesn't make you look like an over-sized snowman, or cost more than a vacation. Yes, it's a thing.
Touchscreen gloves. Ever wanted to text someone while walking outside, took your hand out of the glove and almost lost your finger to a frostbite? happened to me once! You don't appreciate texting outdoors until you physically can't do it without risking something. It's dangerous out there, I'm telling you. That's why someone super-smart invented Touchscreen gloves. Well, you can't really text with them as the texting finger part is always so bulky, but you can feed your need to know what is written in the text message you just received. Oh, it's just an appointment reminder from my dentist...
Earmuffs. Sure, a winter hat is nice, but when you're addicted to hair buns you can't risk your looks by wearing silly winter hats. Let's face it, it only looks nice on Pinterest and Instagram. Also, the only part that really needs protection is the ears. Earmuffs for the win! They're fluffy, warm, easy to put on and have the cutest name.
Snow boots. Try walking in the snow with regular shoes. Best of luck, break a leg, like literally.
Winter tires. The amount of yearly expenses that are winter-related is ridiculous and it took us some time to get used to it. On our first winter here we spent hundreds of dollars on winter gear, even though most of it was a one-time purchase. But winter tires? who ever though about that? Where I come from you buy a car, it comes with tires, and that's it. In snowy countries you can't really drive in the winter without ones. I mean you can, but you'll drive in circles, around yourself. Wanna get to your destination? you need proper tires.
Coffee. The Canadian coffee industry is a $6.2 billion industry. Coffee creates an estimated 160,000 jobs in Canadian cafes and coffee shops every year. $6.1 billion out of the $6.2 are made in Toronto only (kidding). If you ever spot someone outside in the winter without a coffee, reach out to him, maybe he needs help :) It seems like the only way to get from one place to another without freezing on the outside is staying warm on the inside. Coffee here is not just a drink, it's like a hug from the inside and is also a really good excuse to take a break from work (I need coffee! do you?).
Tissues. When the wind starts blowing, noses start running…that's why I always keep tissues. I have a pack in my bag, pockets, car, wherever there's a place, I put tissue. I'm basically a walking box of Kleenex, minus the square shape.
Netflix. Say no more. Get your subscription and fight off the winter blues with stupid and fun shows like Nailed it! (it's great, trust me)
A Vacation. the only way to really survive the long winter is to make it shorter by booking a winter getaway and escaping the freezing cold. The farther away and warmer the destination is, the better.
Embrace it. Harmonise with the season, accept it’s winter and it will be cold, wet, and grey. When you're done embracing it, complain about it in whenever possible.
Happy Winter and stay warm.
Comments