The winter is most certainly a fun time of the year – in fact, for many, it’s the most wonderful time of the year – but it is also a time when we find we’re constantly busy.
With socialising and shopping taking centre stage, it feels like the winter is spent out and about more than any other season, and if you’re not prepared, you can sometimes get caught out. With that in mind, we have created the ultimate list of things that you need in your handbag to keep your life running smoothly during the cooler months. Here are some must-haves for your handbag this winter.
FOLD UP SHOPPING BAG
There’s no excuse not to use reusable shopping bags when the planet feels like it’s on its last breath. There is a wide range that you can now find with some even folding up snugly to fit into your handbag…ideal for those times you find yourself at the supermarket till bagless and shamefaced!
HAND SANITISER
This should go without saying, but you should have a bottle of hand sanitiser in your handbag. Even if you think the worst of COVID is behind us, we’ve all read about the ‘worst cold ever’ currently stalking the country’s public spaces. Protect yourself and those around you. Nuff said…
FACEMASKS
Hey, even if you spent the global pandemic sharing conspiracy theories on Facebook, it should be noted that in many parts of the world, wearing a facemask is normal during cold and flu season, both out of politeness and in the name of public health.
Protect yourself from that pesky cold we mentioned, as well as the continued threat from COVID, and carry a facemask in your bag when you are out and about this winter.
Besides, with some of the more funky mask designs, they can actually be a great fashion accessory. Or, super handy when you’re trying to hide from an ex or a colleague!
TISSUES & LOZENGES
Do you jump if someone coughs behind you or move away if another person has the sniffles? Obviously not every sniffle out there is COVID, but to reassure the general public and keep tickly throat at bay with some lozenges and that nose in check, always have a pack of tissues handy in your handbag. Hey, you could even lend one to that annoying sniffler opposite you on the tube. Just a thought…
POTIONS & LOTIONS
And by potions we mean makeup; after all, the transformation a little makeup can do to your skin is pretty magical.
In winter the cold weather can be tough on our skin but the rain can be even worse. Keep your face looking good by carrying your makeup bag around with you in case you get caught in a rainstorm and all of your carefully applied slap slips off. Indeed, there’s nothing worse than spending time on your makeup to have it all washed off in the rain when you are out and about. Actually, there is; when your tears wash it away, but anyway….
Keep things compact and have some emergency makeup foundation and mascara handy to help tidy up your face if it does get washed off. We’re also huge fans of carrying a Dr. Paw Paw in our bags come winter – this multi-tasking balm does wonders for moisturising, skin protection and hair conditioning…it’s even a decent lip balm.
Hands can get cracked and dry in the winter, especially since we’re all still washing our hands more (aren’t we guys? Aren’t we?). While handwashing helps to prevent illness, frequent hand washing can dry your skin. Moreover, using disinfectant products can dry out our skin even more, creating a vicious, never-ending cycle. To avoid cracked and sore hands, pop a moisturiser in your handbag, too.
Read: 6 Winter skincare mistakes you could be making, and the IDEAL ways to remedy them
A HANDBAG HERO HEADSCARF
Here at IDEAL, scarves are a winter staple in our handbags and have come to the rescue on many occasions. Forgotten your tissues and don’t want to use your sleeve in public? Just whip the headscarf out of your bag and pretend it’s a handkerchief. Been rained upon and your hair is a frizzy mess? That headscarf is your saviour. Keen to sit in the park but the ground’s frostbitten and dirty? You know what to do.
Wash the scarf between uses, of course. We know what you were thinking…
A MINI UMBRELLA
Damp, drizzling and with perennially grey skies – yep that’s the UK in the winter, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
We would actually. Anyway, having a small umbrella in your bag can help you to stay that little bit drier when the Great British weather all too predictably announces itself. An umbrella is advisable, but make sure it’s sturdy enough to withstand the wind yet small enough to fit in your handbag. And if you also decide to pack a rain poncho, we won’t judge you.
SUNGLASSES
On those sunny, snowy winter days (they do happen) a pair of sunglasses is essential. Too much sunlight is a threat to your eyes any time of year, and although you might spend a good portion of winter seeking even a singular ray of sun, overexposure at any time of year can be detrimental, especially when snow is involved.
Snow can reflect as much as 80% of UV radiation – which is double what you would normally be getting. In contrast, water, grass and soil reflect no more than 10% and dry beach sand up to 15%. So, even though you might not realise it, your eyes might be in danger of being exposed to too much UV radiation in wintry conditions.
Read: 5 IDEAL tips for looking after your eyes this winter
GLASSES CARE KIT
Do you wear glasses? If you do, you need to keep a glasses care kit in your bag. The cold weather and rain can cause strains and stains on your glasses that make it hard to see out of them. Fortunately, there are plenty of little sprays and cloths that you can invest in to carry around with you. On top of that, remember to always bring your glasses case with you so you can pop them in there and they won’t get scratched.
HAND WARMERS
You may not have heard of hand warmers, but they are cute little things that you can use to keep your fingers warm when you are out and about. These are really great on the train when the heating isn’t working, for instance, and can be popped inside your oversized mittens and carried discreetly around with you.
You can even get a big one to slip under your clothes to keep you warm under your jacket. If you feel the need to cover yourself in hand warmers and hot water bottles before you leave the house, we won’t judge you for it! Rest assured; we’ll be doing it, too.
POWERBANK
How often do you find yourself running out of power when you are heading home from work? On a dark winter night, this is never a good idea – and can actually be unsafe – so make sure that you have a power bank in your bag so that you can charge your phone on the go. Just make sure that it is fully charged or it will be pointless carrying it with you! Yes, we do speak from experience.
GLOVES AND A HAT
If you don’t wear a set of gloves and a hat, you can always put some in your handbag and have them ready in case it gets too cold. You might forget about them if you don’t normally wear them but if they are in your handbag, you pop them on and help keep you a bit warmer when you are out and about. And the best bit? We think a set looks pretty darn stylish.
A BOTTLE OF WATER
Staying hydrated can be tough during the winter – it almost feels counterintuitive to be drinking water when it’s cold out.
But getting dehydrated in winter is actually easier than in summer, because we don’t notice that we’re losing water. Having a water bottle handy at all times can negate this issue, and can also help with keep those dry winter skin issues we mentioned earlier at bay, too.
ACTIVITY PACKS FOR KIDS (OR KIDULTS)
This is a strange one but just hear us out for a second. Having an activity pack in your bag can be a lifesaver, especially if you have kids or a kidult who are getting bored. A small colouring book can make all the difference to a journey and they will love seeing this little pack of fun appearing from your bag.
THE BOTTOM LINE
So there you have it, we’ve reached both the bottom of our bag and the bottom of the article. Hang on, has anyone got a spare hair tie we could borrow?