If you’re like me, you’ve been spending a lot of time at home. Whether it’s to stay away from other people, to stay away from winter/summer weather, or simply to have some alone time, there’s plenty to do at home. And I’m talking more than streaming movies and tv shows or another video conference call. Here are some recommendations of things to do at home, many of which are from my last year of being at home.
1. Order Take-Out or Dessert
Take-out and dessert deliveries have been a welcome treat in a year of being at home. I have a long list of restaurants to try, so it’s nice enjoying restaurant food when we’re avoiding eating out. We typically get take-out once a week and have eaten out once a month. I’ve posted plenty of Austin restaurant options in my Flavors of the Month posts (these posts will now be published quarterly). Or check out this post about dessert deliveries I’ve ordered.
2. Take a Cheese Class
In Austin, we are very lucky to have an excellent cheese shop, Antonelli’s, that puts on a variety of cheese classes every month. While a raclette night in their cheese house is the ideal way to enjoy cheese with friends, now you can sign up for an online cheese class together. You’ll pick up your plate from the shop, log on for the live discussion, and enjoy an event with cheese descriptions and more. The online class we joined featured a farm, so we virtually explored the farm, saw the animals, and heard from the farmers, all while tasting their cheese.
3. Play a Game
We’ve played so many Jackbox and trivia games! Friends and friends of friends hosted trivia nights online and while we learned we are bad at trivia, they were interesting and fun. Geeks Who Drink has moved its bar-based games online and is a good option if you’re looking for trivia. Jackbox has multiple game options. One person shares the screen while everyone uses their phone as a controller. We’ve played a few of these with friends.
4. Make a Cocktail
If you’re not going out to bars, whip up your favorite cocktail in the kitchen. You can get many of Texas’ best liquors at your local store and many distilleries have shared recipes to enjoy. If you need some inspiration, order a cocktail kit from HipStirs. Here are some local liquors to try:
- Still Austin Whiskey Co. (whiskey and gin)
- Garrison Brothers Distillery (whiskey)
- Deep Eddy Vodka (vodka)
- Treaty Oak Distilling (whiskey)
5. Tackle Home Projects
This past year as I’ve spent a lot of time at home, I’ve realized the importance of living in a space you love. Having and seeing things you enjoy and things that function well can change your attitude. I’ve been working to make our home more inspiring and comfortable. Here are some projects to consider:
- Declutter your closets, cabinets, bookshelves, and garage
- Touch up your wall paint
- Refresh your front yard with new plants
- Change up your decor and wall art
6. Catch Up on Reading
Buy an e-reader and get a membership to your local library for free and easy reading! It was a game-changer for me to read more. I’ve always enjoyed reading and it’s a good way to make time for yourself. There are three different kinds of Kindle, priced $89.99-249.99. A tablet (I have a Fire tablet that is about $50) does the same thing but the light and glare are different.
7. Do a Wine Tasting
You could DIY this by picking up a few different bottles at the store or you could sign up with a winery for a virtual tasting. William Chris Vineyards in Hye, Texas will send you the specific bottles they’ll guide you through in the tasting. (The plentiful wine display below is at Los Olivos Market in Buda.)
8. Take on a 100-Day Project
The 100-Day Project is a free, global art initiative. While they have specific start dates to help keep you accountable, you can start your project whenever. Choose a creative project you can complete in 5-10 minutes and do it every day for 100 days. From painting a landscape to writing a poem, choose a creative project you want to practice and that brings you joy and see where the daily practice takes you.
9. Take a Cooking Class
Do a quick search and you’ll find plenty of options for a virtual cooking class! I think this is a great idea because you’re in your own kitchen and using your own tools, so there’s a greater chance of you taking the recipes and skills you learn to memory. Thai Fresh and Cocina Maribel are two online cooking class options in Austin. Pictured is the yummy food – four different dishes – we made from Thai Fresh’s class!
10. Train for a Race
Running is an easy cardio workout because you don’t need much to do it. Whether it’s an official race or your own goal, training for something can get your body moving. I’m training for the Austin Half-Marathon happening in April! Let me know if you start training. 🙂
11. Use Your Stationery
I have a huge stationery collection and people love getting mail that isn’t bills! Send some love to family and friends. You could also fulfill letter requests from More Love Letters. (Pictured are cute notecards from my friend Kathyphantstic!)
12. Bake Bread or Anything
Bread became a popular activity last year because of the time it takes to bring it to life. Have you tried it? We tried our hand at sourdough and a variety of baked goods. For me, baking is a stress relief and results in something tasty! Get some ideas and recipes from this post.
13. Learn a New Language
Have you ever tried Duolingo? This free language app will teach you the basics of over 30 languages! I’ve been brushing up on my Spanish with the app.
14. Cook Through a Cookbook
I’m sure you have at least one cookbook in your home. Cooking through a cookbook, making a goal of cooking as many recipes as possible, is a way to make sure you get some use out of your cookbooks. I did it three different years and I still go back to recipes I discovered. (I most recently cooked through this cookbook.) I’m currently trying recipes from the Thai Fresh cookbook.
15. Brew Drinks
Coffee and tea are easy brews, but have you tried kombucha? 😛 The process is fairly easy once you get the hang of it. For us, it takes about 45 minutes every 10 days to produce six bottles. We started doing this because we were spending a lot of money on kombucha. It’s been a fun project and we’ve made about 150 bottles now. This article gives you an overview and recipe.
16. Host a Cook-Off or Dinner Party
One way to connect with your friends is cooking together while in your own kitchens. You could choose a cuisine theme (tacos are easy) or a specific recipe to make. Cook together or hop online to show the finished product.
17. Learn to Taste Chocolate
Craft chocolate is a booming endeavor. I see new companies mentioned and new bars on the grocery shelves often. If you’ve read this past post, you know it’s pretty fascinating. Chocolate Noise offers virtual tastings or you could pick up some bars at your local grocery and use this tasting guide.
18. Learn a New Craft or Try a DIY Kit
I’m constantly trying to make time for crafts because I know it’s a way to exercise my creative muscle. Maybe you could master a new skill like knitting or candle making. Websites like A Beautiful Mess, Sugar and Cloth, The House That Lars Built, and A Kailo Chic Life have so many DIY ideas. One of the easiest ways to get started is buying a kit with instructions and all the supplies. Local Austin shop The Paper + Craft Pantry sells workshop kits, like this Natural Dye Workshop I tried. Local Austin company Creative Box Studios also has art workshop options.
19. Start a Garden and/or Become a Plant Person
I know at least two people who have become plant people this past year. (Ahem, me and my friend Janna.) “Hard-to-kill” houseplants are a good place to start. I’ve kept pothos, a pilea peperomioides, succulents, and dracaenas alive! In Austin, visit The Great Outdoors, Tillery Street Plant Company, and Succulent Native to increase your plant supply. Wish me luck as I try herbs (again)!
20. Support a Local Business
Buying goods and services is a big way to support a local business but did you know there are things you can do for free that have a big impact?
- Write reviews! You can easily copy and paste the same review on Yelp, Facebook, Google, and TripAdvisor. You could go further by posting on social media or mentioning the business in conversation. Reviews make a big impact as potential customers are in the decision process.
- Engage with their social media. Follow them, give their posts a like, and write a comment.
Ok, I think these 20 things will keep you fulfilled at home for a while!
Have suggestions? Send them over!
P.S. Bonus: plan your next trip while you’re at home! Check out my Destinations page to get some inspiration.
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