Since it is my families second Autumn here in Germany, I have some ideas and learnings from last year on things that need to get started on for winter before it arrives.
Car Prep
Here the winters can get pretty snowy, and for someone who has basically only lived in Southern California and Southern Japan, it is a whole new world. Last year we bought our first set of snow tires. Didn’t really even know they were a thing. But by German law they are to be put on in October, if you don’t already have all season tires, and still most people recommend to invest in the snow ones. So we did. There is also windshield wiper fluid that doesn’t freeze. Another thing I had no idea about. But after the first time the wiper fluid froze we started looking around at what other winter prep things there are. Such as snow scrapers and brushes, not to mention the blankets in the car just in case it gets cold or bad things happen such as breaking down. This year we are already getting out the tires to put on pretty soon. That is as soon as we have a weekend available.
Yard Prep
Last year we moved into the house in October, with a big beautiful leaf covered tree in the back yard. Which by mid to late November became a leafless tree with a very large pile of leaves underneath that needed raking. This took the last weekends of November of long days to get all of the leaves from the various trees in the yard to include the biggest one cleaned up. Only by chance did I get them basically all cleaned up before the drop off point closed for the winter season. This year I have started already, cleaning up the leaves within reason as they fall of clear non rainy days.
Halloween/Samhain Costumes
I am always the fan of creating my Halloween costume as opposed to buying a premade one. In the past I have put together Kaylee costume by finding clothes that would work nicely and adding the patches that were characteristic to her outfit. Another year I found tutorials on YouTube on how to make fairy wings with wire coat hangers and stockings and then put together clothes from my closet. Since I work with children I try to find non-scary costumes. This year I have been watching makeup inspired costumes and am putting together a deer look. Once again I will be using clothes from my closet, and making antlers from YouTube videos. I did end up ordering a simple brown tutu from amazon.de to wear over brown leggings. I have attached the link to the video tutorial that I used in creating the makeup part of my costume. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaWX2jHQ7Qg&list=LLvykUwF5tBIxgAZumb3QeTw.
For the antlers I bought a simple headband that happened to already have flowers attached to it, craft wire, paper mache, paint and a hot glue gun. I watched several videos on how to do this, but ended up having my husband shape the antlers for me, since I kept creating moose looking ones. Then I paper mache over the wire and then painted with craft paint. This took a couple of days just because I had the time and let everything dry completely between layers.
What do you do to prep for winter for where you live? What have been some of your favorite Halloween costumes?