11 Winter care package ideas to warm up anyone’s day

There's definitely something for everyone here!

11 Winter care package ideas to warm up anyone’s day

With the cold season bringing in quite the chill, it might be hard for some to keep the winter blues at bay. But with a bit of creativity (and some of your loved ones’ absolute favourites), you can come up with the perfect winter care package to warm up their days.

Who says you have to wait for Christmas to give presents? Gift giving has no rules, so show your family and friends that you’re thinking of them just because!

No clue where to start? Here are a few ideas:

For the bookworm: Best-selling books, a DIY hot cocoa kit, and a booklight

girl reading a book while drinking hot cocoa

It seems like everyone can’t stop talking about “The Song of Achilles” and “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.” 

If you know someone who would love to get their hands on these best-selling novels but can’t find the time to order them online, why not surprise them with a bookworm winter care package?

Feel free to throw in a DIY hot cocoa kit and even a booklight to make their winter reading sessions extra cosy!

For the one with a sweet tooth: A candy care package

Dispel your workmate’s winter boredom and get a Tasker to deliver their favourite sweets! Because let’s face it, candy can always make a particularly dull day better.

From classic chocolate bars and fruity gummies to extra sour chewy lollies, you won’t run out of options!

For the young (and young-at-heart): A paint-by-numbers kit

A paint-by-numbers kit can be a neat gift for curious kiddos looking to express their creativity or friends with a knack for painting.

kid painting by numbers

And whilst it’s easy to download art or colouring apps on mobile phones and tablets these days, seeing a black and white canvas come alive with colour in real life still hits different.

Not only will it encourage them to take a breather from all the gadgets, but it can also make for a fun and therapeutic activity they can do with their friends.

For the healthy snacker: A DIY protein bar recipe kit

Got a sibling who’s all about healthy snacking? Instead of gifting them your typical pack of protein bars, treat them to a DIY recipe kit so they can whip up their own.

Making a fresh batch of healthy granola bars can be loads of fun, especially when there’s not much to do in the cold outdoors. Prep their favourite ingredients (include macros if that’s their thing), jot down instructions, pack them all up, and send!

They can also tweak the recipe to their liking and add other nutritious mix-ins. Better than store-bought snacks, that’s for sure!

For the coffee lover: Monthly coffee subscription, a French Press, and chocolate biscuits

coffee kit with whole beans and mugs

Know someone who’s obsessed with coffee? Surprise them with a nifty coffee kit to help them start their winter mornings with a comforting pick-me-up. 

If you want to go all out, include a monthly coffee subscription, a sleek French Press that’ll look good on any kitchen counter, and a pack or two of chocolatey biscuits. 

Any time they need a coffee break or two, they’ll be ready to brew, pour, and drink to warm themselves up!

For the spa enthusiast: A self-care kit of scented candles, sheet masks, and body butter

Is your BFF in desperate need of a spa day? Curate an extra special self-care kit to help them get through harsh winter days.

Hydrating sheet masks and rich body butter can do wonders as they help the skin stay moisturised against the dry winter air. Add some scented candles for a perfect at-home spa experience! 

Opt for soothing scents like eucalyptus and lavender or warm and woody fragrances like vanilla and sandalwood. You can even tuck in a sweet note and remind your BFF to put their mobile on silent mode for a few hours for some quiet, well-deserved “me-time.”

For the movie buff: Microwavable popcorn, potato crisps, and a giant tumbler

Does your mum love weekly movie nights with your dad? Then she’ll love this winter gift idea since any movie marathon is always better with snacks. 

popcorn and various snacks for movie night

A box of microwavable popcorn and a bag of potato crisps will be enough for two people to share. Make sure to get their favourite flavours!

Add an extra-large tumbler to the mix so they can enjoy their beverage of choice whilst binge-watching classic winter films all night long!

For the baker: DIY cookie kits

Whether it’s chocolate chip, white chocolate macadamia, or gingernuts, a fresh batch of cookies oven always hits the spot, especially on a cold winter day.

This winter care package idea will make any home baker’s day as it comes with everything they might need to make the best cookies – no shopping required!

Tip: If you’re unsure what baking kit to give your baker friend, you can get inspiration from a trusted local baker near you.

For the artist: Water colour pads, brush marker pen set, and soft pastels

painter working with watercolour

Artists can never have too many tools to help them master their craft. If you know anyone constantly looking for their next art project, a box of quality pads, marker pens, and soft pastels will banish those winter blues instantly!

For the gamer: Armrest caddy, gaming gloves, and wireless headphones

Does your niece or nephew spend hours on end playing video games? Send them a care package with a few gaming necessities to help them smash each quest and adventure this winter!

Hook them up with wireless headphones for the ultimate gaming experience, a pair of compression gloves to keep their hands from aching, and maybe even an armrest caddy where they can store their drinks, mobile phones, and extra cables.

For the fitness BFF: Booty bands, a travel yoga mat, and a fitness gift card

travel yoga mat with strap

Is your BFF about to start their fitness journey? Or maybe they’ve been at it for a while. Whatever the case may be, they’ll surely appreciate this care package idea! 

Get them a travel yoga mat and some booty bands to go along with it. This way, they can work up a sweat whenever, wherever they feel like it.

Want to kick things up a notch? Get your BFF a fitness gift voucher and take classes together!

 

Send a winter care package today!

Some of the best presents are ones that feel like they were tailor-made for you. And with these curated winter gifts, your loved ones are bound to feel all warm and fuzzy, literally and figuratively! 

Need help delivering your package? Post a task today and have our Taskers lend a hand!

Good luck and happy gift-giving!

Your essential winter home maintenance checklist

Winter is coming, and it's a chilly one.

Your essential winter home maintenance checklist

Winter is upon us, and you need to prepare. It’s easy to bust out the beanies, scarves, and winter wardrobe, but the same can’t be said for your entire home.

A seasonal home maintenance checklist can give you a better picture of what you need to look out for before the winter season arrives.

There are plenty of easy fixes that you can do around the house to save you from the cold draught and expensive bills, so let’s take a look!

Check your home’s heating and ventilation system

Getting your HVAC system serviced before winter can help keep you and your loved ones warm and cosy whilst maintaining maximum energy efficiency.

woman cleaning her home heating system

After all, there’s nothing like snuggling up in thick blankets and sipping hot tea on a cold winter evening, as long as you have a fully-functioning heating system. 

Proper ventilation can also do wonders for your home as it prevents the indoor air from going dry and musty.

Insulation

Good insulation can also provide warmth to your home without relying too much on electronic heaters, so plus points for practicality!

An insulation contractor can check if your current insulation needs any repairs. You can also ask them for advice to know what insulation type works best for your humble abode.

Sweep your fireplace

brick fireplace inside living room

Lighting the first fire of the season is always exciting! However, it’s worth having your chimney swept before throwing in the firewood and lighting those matches to ensure that there is no soot or creosote build-up.

This can be quite a dirty task, so don’t hesitate to reach out to an expert who can professionally clean your chimney in no time.

Double-glaze your windows

If you don’t mind shelling out a bit, double-glazing your windows or glass doors is a great home improvement investment. 

Not only does it help retain heat inside your home during colder months, but it also provides noise-proofing and moisture prevention.

You may have to spend at first, sure, but the long-term benefits double-glazing brings make it worth it!

Clean your gutters and downspouts

Rain gutter full of autumn leaves

Colder temperatures and possible snowfall could keep you from cleaning your gutters in the next few months. 

So before winter rolls in, make it a point to clean the gutters and unclog downspouts from any leftover leaves or debris. Doing so can help prevent blockages and keep the water flowing seamlessly all season long.

Check your walls and ceilings for cracks

Cracks and gaps on your floors or ceilings can be an open invitation for the cool breeze to come in. Excess moisture can also leak through your walls, potentially putting your home’s foundation at risk.

Luckily, an expert handyman can help install weatherstrippings around crucial areas of your house. They can also provide other solutions, such as

  • Closing floorboard gaps using silicone fillers
  • Stopping draughts with a sand-filled door snake/stopper
  • Covering keyholes and letterbox openings with wool insulation to prevent minor draughts
  • Putting up thermal or fleece curtains to thwart window cracks

Inspect your house for unwanted pests

Spiders, cockroaches, and rats become even more active during cold winter days. And with this, they tend to seek refuge in warmer areas, which potentially could be your home.

It’s best to get unwanted pests and rodents under control before they get a little too comfy in your vents, basement, attic, bathroom, and kitchen.

Utilise rugs and cosy throws 

cosy home interiors for winter

Stepping onto a chilly hardwood or concrete floor can be such a drag on cold days. So why not bring out the rugs and thicker textures for winter?

Rolling out a rug not only makes your home look extra cosy, but it helps maintain the heat, too.

Turn on your heating timers

If you have a reversed cycle or ducted heating unit, you can maximise their time features so that your home is all warm and toasty when you wake up in the morning.

Just make sure you don’t put up the heating too high that it starts feeling like a sauna!

Tidy up your garden

It may take a few months before you can work on your garden again. Take the time to trim hedges, get rid of weeds and loose branches, and complete all necessary yard work before it gets too cold outside.

woman raking leaves in her garden

Do you have your work cut out for you? Speed things up by hiring a professional gardener. Not only does it save time, but it can also help get more things done.

Stock up on groceries

It’s always a good idea to have your kitchen pantry ready for the winter season. If you’re running low on essentials and don’t have the time for a grocery run, have your groceries delivered instead!

Stock up on your favourite snacks and fresh ingredients so you can whip up hot home-cooked meals for the family. Don’t forget the hot cocoa and marshmallows!

 

The cold will definitely not bother you once you start ticking things off your winter home maintenance checklist.

There’s no need to fear making small repairs or investing in new installations if it means keeping your house warm and cosy when needed.

Hire a Tasker to help you prep for winter!

How To Stay Warm Without Increasing Your Bills

In case you haven’t heard the temperature is set to drop with the Antarctic Vortex hitting. As stores across the "How To Stay Warm Without Increasing Your Bills"

How To Stay Warm Without Increasing Your Bills

In case you haven’t heard the temperature is set to drop with the Antarctic Vortex hitting. As stores across the state get down to the last heater stocks, it got me thinking about how to can stay warm without forking out for a new heater, nor increasing my electricity or gas bill.

950037-ae71c0a2-f2a3-11e4-9134-cf9443e7fd03
Source: Daily Telegraph

Here are some practical (and some not to practical yet fun) ways to stay warm during this Antarctic Vortex:

Go to a gig
It doesn’t matter where you live, there’s a local live music venue near you hosting musicians on Saturday (or any) night. So make sure you take your dancing shoes and keep warm by getting up and dancing the night away.

Keep busy and earn money
Get out of the house (or office) and complete tasks via Airtasker whether it’s making deliveries, helping people move house or putting your handyman skills to good use – there are plenty of ways to stay warm with the added benefit of earning money.

Airtasker moving furniture from house

Get started by making offers available tasks in your local area by browsing tasks.

Stay active
Go for a run, kick around the footy or head to a dance party – keeping active by pumping around the blood will get you warm instantly with the added bonus of keeping healthy.


Source: ABC

And for those of you interested in the dancing, No Lights No Lycra is a casual free-form dance class for those of you who purely love dancing. You don’t need to book, just rock up.
Dance classes are on Monday (Adelaide, Bondi, East Brunswick, Darwin) Tuesday (Perth, South Yarra), Wednesday (Footscray), Thursday (Perth, Newtown, Gold Coast) and many more nights and locations.

Cuddles with a furry friend
If you have a dog or a cat (or if you can borrow one) cuddle up with it on the sofa or put it on your feet; you’ll be keeping each other warm 🙂

holiday lifehack airtasker

Delicious treats
Bake your favourite treats such as cookies or a yummy loaf of homemade bread. Not only will your belly be full but it will also heat your home and make it smell divine.

in-oven
Source: Squarerootofpie

Not a baker? Enjoy the opportunity to indulge in hot chocolate (or two or three). Make it extra delicious by using Nutella & milk.

nut4
Source: Herviewfromhome

Source: Buzzfeed

And if you’re not a sweets person, any herbal tea or squeeze a bit of lemon in hot water to warm you on the inside and out.

DIY
There’s no point in spending money on heaters if you have a big cold draft under the doors. By buying a door draft stopper or you can easily make one by picking up some material from Spotlight and once sewn together, fill with rice.

IMG_1452
Source: Creative Savvy

Glass windows are another heat sucker and if you have single-paned glass, make sure you have blinds or preferably material curtains to retain the heat. If you have a non-standard size, recycle sheets/ blankets and make thicker curtains.

Light candles
Time to use all those candles that you’ve received as gifts and left to gather dust in the cupboard. It will take the cold bite out of the air, reduce moisture build-up, smell lovely and add a little bit of old-time romance too.

candle_candle_light_4010
Source: Artsygal

If you have any other cheap ways to stay warm this winter, let us know in the comments below.

P.S. We hope you’re staying warm.

10 Amaysim Tips For Curing Frigophobia

Think snow, ice, cold, winter… Do those words give you goose bumps? Well it sounds like you’ve got a fear "10 Amaysim Tips For Curing Frigophobia"

10 Amaysim Tips For Curing Frigophobia

Tips for the cold

Think snow, ice, cold, winter… Do those words give you goose bumps? Well it sounds like you’ve got a fear of coldness or not so commonly known as Frigophobia. This phobia is not just a fear of the cold but also cold things such as ice blocks.

The easiest but also most financially impossible fix would be to move to a warmer climate, such as South Africa or here in Australia. It may not drop to freezing by European standards, many Aussies would still complain that it gets too cold and don a beanie as soon as it drops below 20 degrees.

So instead of putting on multiple layers of clothes we’ve come up with a few suggestions to get you through winter this year.

1. Hot food deliveries
From soup to curry, think of your favourite winter dishes and now imagine that rather than going to the effort of shopping and cooking, why not get a food delivery.

Better yet, a cheeky 3pm hot chocolate delivered to your office means you can beat the cold and your 3pm slump in one hit!

2. Deck out in fun winter gear

sleeping bag suit

Face the cold in something hilarious like a sleeping bag suit (above) or maybe an outrageous onesie. You and your mates could get a theme going and even host a stay-in games night.

3. Stock up in advance – winter is coming

stockpile food

If there’s a special deal at your local supermarket, take advantage of the sales and stock up on non-perishables such as frozen vegetables and tinned soup just in case you need to make an emergency meal.

4. Be prepared
It’s a good idea to get your home fixed and prepared so that you can relax in the coziness. Here’s a quick checklist for you to run through:
– Clear gutters
– Fix broken roof tiles
– Ensure chimneys and flues are clear
– Check for mould
– Clean and maintain heaters, clothes dryers and vacuums.

Or get one of your handymen to do it for you!

5. Celebrate
Whether it’s Christmas in July or just a night by an open fire with marshmallows for s’mores with your friends. Take time to spend it with the people that make you laugh.

6. Organise wardrobe

winter clothing wacky airtasker

While it might be sad to say goodbye to the summer shorts and singlets, there’s nothing better than starting a new season with a clean and organized wardrobe. Go through your items one by one and if you can’t layer it, pack it away or better yet, throw away things you haven’t worn in the last year.

7. Don’t forget your wheels!
Your car protects you from the cold when you have to leave your cozy house so it’s important to make sure that its maintenance is up to date. It’s worth getting it checked over, especially if you’re looking at a long drive or heading to the snow. A few other things include:
– Inspect your tires
– Replace your wipers
– Check your windshield washer fluid

8. See a show
Whether it’s a festival or stand-up comedy in your local pub. It’s proven that laughter and happiness are the best remedies for most things.

9. Get your tax prepared
Just the mere thought of dedicating a whole weekend to your tax return is enough to make you stay rugged up in bed and watch the box-set series of Breaking Bad. But if you approach it in a gradual process it won’t be as labour intensive.

Step 1: Gather and organize receipts
Step 2: Download the online tax pack
Step 3: Get an Airtasker or a tax accountant to take care of it for you.

10. Stay connected

amaysim

Keep in touch with friends, family, or even your housemate in the next room via Amaysim who offer the most flexible and cheapest rates.