Spoiler alert: there’s a kit for every type of person!
This winter is predicted to be a harsh, dark, snowy and long one. Make it a little easier on yourself with a survival kit for just about everything. From kits for skincare lovers to kits for drivers, I’m positive you’ll find out about a few items that’ll make this season a little more tolerable!
Skincare survival kit
This is definitely a kit that’s been in the making for a few years now. It’s been a trial-and-error process—with a lot of errors.
- Extra extra hydrating lotion
The cold weather can make your skin even drier than usual, so I recommend switching over to an extra hydrating face, body and hand creams!
My favourite hand creams are Nivea hand creams. My mom had notoriously forced my siblings and me to carry lotions with us everywhere, so I’ve tried a lot, to say the least.
As for face creams, it really depends on your skin—I have combination skin. I’ve been loving the E.L.F. SKIN Holy Hydration Moisturizer as an affordable option. But when I’m feeling like spoiling myself, I love the Blume Meltdown Gel Cream!
My favourite body cream is the Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Lotion! It has a very slight scent and keeps me moisturized all day.
- Cold sores 101
A lot of people struggle with cold sore flare-ups—including me. I still remember the first flare-up I had, it lasted for months. I’ve tried almost a dozen products for cold sores. My cold sores usually flare up more in the winter and, generally, my stress levels seem to be higher in the cold months.
I really recommend keeping your lips moisturized with the Blistex Lip-Medex Jar—it’s my holy grail. During my flare-ups, I combine the lip balm with the Orajel 3x Medicated Gel. In my experience, it truly does magic when treating painful sores while also not spreading it around my mouth area.
Be extra careful this winter! Don’t share straws, cups or lip products.
Car survival kit
The thing I dislike the most about winter is driving in it. No matter how many years pass by, every winter feels like the first time I’ve driven on the snowy, icy and slippery roads. I’ve compiled a short list of a few items that are worth splurging on to have a smooth start and end to your car trips this winter!
- Snow brush and scraper
Self-explanatory, I hope. But I had a cheap little one when I first started driving, which of course does the job for the most part. I eventually saved enough Triangle Rewards to put towards a better, harder-working snow brush and scarper!
- Mini emergency bag
It’s never a bad idea to keep a small bag with some emergency self-care items in your car’s glove compartment. I keep lip balm, hand cream, hand sanitizer, a mini-Ibuprofen bottle and pocket tissues.
- Tire pressure reader
I didn’t understand how useful this was until an older man helped me at the air pump beside the gas station last winter. He pulled his own portable tire pressure reader and, naturally, it proved the one at the gas station wrong. Anyways, it’s awesome and makes all the difference.
Walker’s survival kit
I always tell myself that I would walk more if it wasn’t freezing cold outside, especially when the sun is pouring down beautifully on the snow and trees. But, if I had to be honest with myself, I can go outside even if it’s cold!
- A great pair of sweatpants
I used to walk to one of my many part-time jobs in the middle of winter at 8 a.m. and back again at 4 p.m.
I’m really not a sweatpants girly—I wish I was. But, I guess I’ve never really gravitated toward sweat attire. However, a few birthdays ago, my mom got me a pair of Aritzia sweatpants and they were quite literally the only pair of sweatpants that I owned for a few years. They’re so incredibly warm. I wear them on top of my jeans when I walk to work, then take them off before my shift and put them on again for my walk home.
These aren’t one of my only sweatpants but also one of the only things I own from Aritzia. That store is gorgeous, but so incredibly expensive. I’ve learned a couple of dupes from some of my sweat-attire girlies. You can find your ideal pair from Amazon, Hollister, and, of course, thrift stores—my favourite place.
- Fleeced leggings
OK, this one is not exactly ideal for walking, but cold weather shouldn’t keep us away from all those cute skirts you want to wear! I bought a pair of fleece-lined leggings and that’s the best thing I’ve ever done. They’re great to wear under mini or maxi skirts or even under any bottoms. The possibilities are endless.
Survival kit for home bodies
My favourite section for last. Honestly, the winter weather always keeps me inside—I love to be snowed in, I’m sorry. But I’m also a homebody, so I’m inside regardless. Anyway, here are a few of my favourite things for when I don’t stay home just to finish my assignments.
- A good book
I’ve really been in my reading era. I’m trying to read all the books I’ve bought in the past few months and stop using the excuse that I don’t have time—because I do, especially for Instagram reels, apparently. I’ve just finished reading On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King, a beautiful and insightful book. I love to use Goodreads to keep track of my books, as I can give my thoughts, rate books and read other opinions on them. It’s also so helpful to find what others are reading, so I can find my next book!
- A journal
I think everyone in my life is tired of hearing about how much I love journaling, but I simply can’t stop advertising it. Pick up a notebook—just do it—it gives so much more back to you than you’ll ever give to it. Try some fun or deep-reflection journaling prompts while you sip on a warm drink.
- A watchlist
I have a few favourite winter movies I think are worth the watch when you’re snowed in or simply too cold to go outside: Dead Poets Society, Twilight (specifically Breaking Dawn Part 2) and Seven. Letterboxd is awesome too, basically Goodreads but for film.
The winter can be long—it is long. I hope you’ve found at least one survival kit useful and unique to you. What’s your ultimate survival kit for winter? Let us know on our Instagram !
Feature image by Aaron Burden via Unsplash
Do you want more tips on surviving winter? Check out everything you need to survive your first Canadian winter!
Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for all things student life.
