By Shannon Bussnick
Winter, the season of long nights, frosted mornings, and blanketed stillness, often goes unappreciated. Because beneath its frosty exterior, lies a treasure of simple, snow-globe moments worth savoring.
While others feel only the chill sweep their face, I’ve come to love the honest observation of winter: fingertips softly grip an icy leather steering wheel; cherry red noses fading to tickles as they bustle indoors; and the hum of holiday music filling the sacred halls of our home – sounds we’ve found solace in since childhood.
In this post, we’ll be sharing 12 little winter savorings that make this season special, with a frothy familiarity from a few classic poets who found inspiration in its mysterious beauty, too.
1. The Serenity of Bare Trees
Winter’s stripped trees are like quiet sentinels, standing gracefully against a pale, softened sky. Their exposed branches evoke resilience, reminding us of the importance of rest. Of renewal. William Blake saw winter as a “penance for the soul.” Though, for many, it’s a time when nature’s beauty is revealed in the rawest form.
What to love: The stark elegance of bare winter trees: a backdrop to the enchanting story; a token of love’s resolve; a reminder for introspection and renewal.
2. The Sweep of Snow Underfoot
There’s nothing quite like the satisfying pass followed by the subtle crunch of snow beneath your boots. It’s a small yet satisfying sensory experience that connects us to nature’s canvas. Robert Frost captured this essence in Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, a timeless hourglass of snow and stillness.
What to love: That first step into fresh snow and its serendipitous crunch.
3. Candlelight That Feels Like a Hug
Few things rival the warmth of a candlelit room on a dark winter evening; the flickering glow turns even the chilliest space into a self-sanctuary. Emily Dickinson wrote of winter’s unique light: “There’s a certain Slant of light, / Winter Afternoons,” capturing its ethereal beauty.
What to love: Cozying up near the golden warmth of candles, in day’s glare or evening’s retreat, during winter’s glory.
4. The Nostalgia of Seeing Your Breath
Nudging foggy breaths into the winter air feels like conjuring up a visible memory. It’s a simple, magical act that reminds us of childhood and the simple moments we hold onto throughout our lifetime.
What to love: Watching your breath escape in the cold morning air; remembering pleasantness from the past and savoring the moment.
5. The Gift of Oversized Scarves (and everything else)
Winter’s evergreen accessory? Certainly, the oversized scarf. Wrapping yourself in layers feels like carrying a hug – a hug we can all use no matter what time of year it is. Draping ourselves in scarves, adorning our most precious hats and mittens, is not just a practical way to avoid frostbite—it’s a little act of self-care, of embracing one’s uniqueness, of adding a splash of color to a sometimes, gray- washed canvas.
What to love: The comfort and style of oversized scarves and our favorite warm accessories.
6. The Complex Flavor of Winter Air
Winter air has a unique flavor—crisp, sharp, and invigorating. It feels sacred, like a breath of clarity. It stimulates our nervous system and encourages mental sharpness. Percy Bysshe Shelley once lamented winter’s harshness but might too have appreciated the vitality in its air if he peered into a different neck of the woods.
What to love: The refreshing sharpness and rejuvenation amounting from the crisp winter air.
7. Waking Up to Frosted Windows
The frosted designs left on winter windows are like nature’s artwork. A signal. A love letter, even. These fleeting patterns, created overnight, feel like little gifts from Jack Frost himself.
What to love: The whimsical beauty of frosted window panes.
8. The Quiet Power of a Snowstorm
Snowstorms bring life to a halt, wrapping the world in a white blanket of stillness. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Announced by all the trumpets of the sky, / Arrives the snow,” a knowing all too well of its grandeur.
What to love: The serene stillness that comes with a fresh snowfall. A place where words do not have to be spoken and pure energy can effortlessly guide our day.
9. The First Sip of Steaming Tea
Tea on a winter day is reminiscent of what feels like a rebirth we so dearly needed. Wrapping your hands around a warm mug, feeling the steam rise, it’s a simple pleasure magnified by the cold outside.
What to love: The soothing, symbolic ritual of tea during winter.
10. The Mystery of Winter Nights
Winter nights are long and dark, but they hold a quiet magic, don’t they? The star-filled sky feels infinite, a canvas for dreams, for abundance. Dylan Thomas called winter “a brooding season,” perfect for introspection and wonder.
What to love: The depth and promise of a cold winter night.
11. The Ritual of Layering Up
Getting ready in winter is an act of preparation – gloves, scarves, hats, coats, yes. While some see it as a hassle, there rests a comfort in the necessity of wintertime layering. It’s a reminder to take care of ourselves; to protect our mind, body, spirit from harshness.
What to love: The grounding shift of bundling up for the cold.
12. The Comfort of Winter’s Stillness
Winter is a time of stillness, a pause that allows for rest and reflection. Henry David Thoreau called it “the great restorer,” a season that renews both the earth and the soul.
What to love: The unquestionable peace found in winter’s quiet moments.
A Final Note on Winter’s Poetic Promise
Winter isn’t just a season. It’s a muse for the creative. It’s an overflowing mug of marshmallows atop hot cocoa for our little ones. It serves as a barren mirror for both life’s simplicities and complexities. Classic poets like Frost, Dickinson, Poe, and Emerson recognized its layers, from its stark beauty to its deeper-sloped lessons. If we take a moment to pause, we might just notice its iridescent charm.
So, the next time someone shutters about eagerly awaiting the arrival of summer, mention the gift of frosted windows, the crunch of snow under tow, or the quiet power of a winter storm. Who knows? Maybe winter will become their favorite too. And if not, maybe the cool, star-speckled sky, will remind them of you and your adoration for the season.
What are your favorite winter moments? Share them below, and let’s celebrate the season’s poetic promise together.
Vienna Lane 
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