During the winter it is important to let our creative side run free. As well as helping to reduce the stress of the often busy Christmas period it can also help to reduce mental health problems like depression and anxiety.

There are lots of creative things that you can do at this time of the year, but here are a few suggestions to help inspire you…

Candle Making – This is not only a great creative activity but also will enable you to make some unique homemade Christmas presents. See if you can find a candle making course in your area to help you get started and learn the basics, then have fun experimenting by adding herbs and crystals to your candles.

Knitting – If you want something that you can do whilst sitting and watching television or listening to a podcast, knitting is great for this. Crochet blanket kits like this woolcouturecompany.com/collections/blanket-and-cushions-crochet-kits are a good thing to get if you want to get all the things that you need at once, and it is also a good hobby for the winter as you can make blankets and clothes to keep you warm and cosy in the cold!

Christmas Card Making – A great activity in the winter for both adults and children, there are lots of creative ways that you can make Christmas cards – for example you could try flower pressing and use seasonal foliage like ivy or get some glitter and paints out to make some bold and fun Christmas designs.

Photography – This is a really fun hobby, and you can get started just using your smartphone. The subject matter is endless and there are always new things to inspire you – from families having fun at Christmas, to nature in the winter or you can even try your hand at some astrophotography on the clearer winters’ nights.

Watercolour Painting – The winter landscape is the perfect inspiration for a watercolour painting. From the frosty fields and hills to the deep grey skies and bare trees, this is a great time of the year to get out and have a go at creating some watercolour paintings based on the beautiful winter countryside in your local area.