As ever, it feels as though half of the world is dreaming of a white Christmas this year and, with the recent cold weather likely to continue, the stage may be set. However, in spite of this, many families are keen to get out and about at Christmas in order to spend some family time together.
This should be both applauded and actively encouraged as, in truth, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go out walking in a winter wonderland. Here are our top tips to ensure that you enjoy the experience.
Wrap Up Warm
Going out and braving the cold weather may seem like a bit of a daunting prospect, but as long as you wrap up warm, the cold should not be an issue. As the old adage goes, it is much easier to take a layer off than go home to put another layer on, so layer-up as much as possible and wear a hat and gloves.
People wrongly assume that staying warm means that you cannot be fashionable, but this simply isn’t the case, with companies such as e-outdoor stocking branded designer walking gear. If you can be warm and fashionable, what’s stopping you?
Set the Difficulty Level According to the Fitness of the Weakest Member
Family walking will only remain fun if it is accessible for all and, for this reason, you should set the distance and difficulty according to the weakest team member. There’s simply no point embarking on a 15-20 mile walk with a young child, so try something shorter instead. You can always start small and work your way up. After all, regular walking is a great way to exercise and shed those Christmas pounds.
Expand Your Horizons
Finally, to keep it fun, make sure your walks expand your horizons. You may enjoy walking around your local area but is it exciting and fun? There are some brilliant walks across the countryside just outside your immediate area, so check out a site like walkingbritain.co.uk and you could have your walk organised and planned in minutes.
To conclude, it may be cold, but that’s no reason to stop you going out walking and spending some quality time together as a family. In fact, if anything, winter provides you with the perfect opportunity for family time; especially in the run-up to Christmas. So, now is the perfect time to wrap-up, get outside and indulge in the festive spirit.