Grandma-Core Activities for Combating the Winter Blues
Who needs bar hopping when you’ve got banana bread, crochet hooks, and your closest friends?
BY Sophie LeBlanc ★ November 10th 2025
Photo Credit: Juliana Nani
As the weather gets chillier and the sun starts setting at 4 p.m., it’s officially that time of year when your bed, phone and For You page become a little too comfortable. If you’ve ever realized you’ve been watching TikTok for hours, this is your sign to pick up a “grandma” hobby, because honestly, your grandma might be onto something. Here are ten cozy, slow-living activities to make you feel peaceful, productive and a little more romantic about your everyday life.
Five Cozy Hobbies to Try
1. Journaling
Nothing screams main character like a cup of tea, a rainy-day playlist and a journal full of random thoughts and doodles.
2. Having a Sourdough Starter
It’s not just bread, it’s a lifestyle. There’s something therapeutic about feeding your dough-baby and watching it rise. Master it, and you’ll never go back to store-bought.
3. Reading
Whether it’s a cozy romance, a fantasy series or a BookTok fave, reading is the ultimate unplugged escape. Currently, I’m loving The Wedding People by Alison Espach for a moody drama; some of my past favorites include Bunny by Mona Awad — a dark academia horror — and Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez — a feel-good romance!
4. Crocheting or Knitting
In Syracuse, you can never have enough scarves and mittens, and making your own is such a flex. It’s creative, relaxing and the perfect background activity for watching your favorite fall show.
5. Cooking
Experiment with soups and baked goods, or attempt making that one pasta recipe that’s all over TikTok. Bonus points for candles and jazz.
Finally, Five Alternatives to Going Out
Once you’ve had your solo cozy time, bring the vibes to your friends. Sometimes the best nights aren’t in crowded frat basements, they’re the ones where you bake banana bread and laugh with your friends until midnight.
1. Rom-Com Movie Marathon
Think When Harry Met Sally, Set it Up and Notting Hill. Wear cute PJ sets, set up snack boards, and admit that Hugh Grant set the bar way too high for real-life romance.
2. Game Night
Catan, Clue or Cards Against Humanity—whatever brings out everyone’s competitive side.
3. Scrap & Yap
Grab your craft supplies and friends for a night of collaging and gossip.
4. Pint Night
No, not beer—ice cream. Everyone brings a pint, and you make over-the-top sundaes with all the fixings.
5. Random Dinner Party
Pick a theme (“Breakfast for Dinner,” “Trader Joe’s Potluck,” or “Soup Sunday”) and make a night of it. Print a cute menu, light candles and dress up like it’s a five-star event—even if it’s just frozen mac and cheese.
When winter hits, it can feel like everything slows down—but your happiness doesn’t have to. The secret is finding beauty in the small things: a warm loaf of bread, a quiet journaling session, or a cozy movie night with friends. These little rituals can turn even the coldest days into some of the most comforting and fulfilling ones of the year.
Edited by: Eliza Brown