We have become like machines, it's one task after another with little to no break in between. Relax this winter, take time off work, and connect with your extended family— grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins – in person. Perhaps plan a family picnic like the good old days. How will these benefit your child? One, your child will get to know his "big" family, and two, he will establish social bonds with people who can give him support and comfort during both good and bad times.

Studies show that youths are now lonelier than ever. Knowing and connecting with our extended family could tell our children that there are more people who love and care for them than they have ever thought!

Make a cuppa for yourself and hot chocolate for your child, crawl under a blanket, and enjoy a family film. We suggest that you make a list of some must-watch films, especially the classics. We recommend Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Elf, The Polar Express, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Jingle All the Way, The Santa Clause, etc. In my house, some of these films are watched every year during the winter holiday time; they never get old!

But, why enjoy movies only at home? Take your children to movie theatres, too, this winter holiday.

I still remember the unadulterated fun I had while playing chess, ludo, monopoly, and carrom matches against my parents, sibling, aunts, uncles, and cousins. When there were no internet and people were not staying hooked on their smartphone day and night, it was these board games which kept them from getting bored. The best thing about board games is that you cannot play them alone, meaning that these games bring people closer and create connections with friends and family.

Does your child know how to play chess yet? If not, consider teaching them the game this winter break. Chess helps children develop patience, creativity, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.

"Chess is the gymnasium of the mind," said Blaise Pascal, the influential 17th century French mathematician, and philosopher.

The internet is full of art and craft ideas. Browse the internet and choose a few art and craft projects that you and your child can enjoy during the winter holiday time.

Art encourages problem-solving skills, creativity, and imaginative thinking — all of which are linked to long-term professional success!

This winter break, be messy. Bring out what you already have at home or make a small investment in drawing and painting materials, scissors, glue, strings, beads, buttons, fabric strips, multicolor paper, empty boxes, popsicle sticks, etc. and embark on art and craft projects with your children.

Sunlight, although scarce, would still be a prevalent theme in your day trip. Couple that with cold wind and suddenly a beanie seems like an absolute lifesaver. Not only will it protect your hair from the sun, but also your ears from the cold wind. A win-win!

Good footwear can carry you a long way during a day trip and boots are ideal for winter. Couple that with a funky pair of socks that's visible through the fold of your pants and you are bound to be the most fashionable person on the trip.

Keeping your hands warm during winter is just as vital as keeping the rest of your body warm. Winters outside of Dhaka can get notoriously cold and honestly cold hands can be really uncomfortable.

If there is anything more annoying than cold hands, it's chapped lips. They are uncomfortable, they hurt, and they make you look bad. A tiny chapstick will create a world of difference.

Moisturising is more vital during winter than at any other time of the year. A pocket-sized moisturiser is exactly what you need to prevent your skin from drying up too much.

Just because the sun is covered up, does not mean it's not there. Harmful UV rays are always present so keeping sunscreen on you would be handy for everyone on the trip.

No winter trip is complete without tea and you should always have some on you in your trusty thermos.

Winter and blanket, just thinking about it makes you feel warm. A blanket would honestly be your best friend during the trip and you can wrap yourself up unapologetically and be cosy whenever you want.

An essentials list will not be an essentials list without a power bank. It's an absolute godsend as it gives much-needed juice to your devices when you need it the most. Everyone on the trip would thank us for this entry.

The CDC says that hand washing is important, particularly when the common cold, flu, and COVID-19 are risks. But according to board-certified dermatologists, "continuous washing will cause the hands to take a hammering." And that is why the experts suggests that after every wash, we lather our skin with dedicated cream – a bit thicker in consistency meant for the hands and feet.

An additional suggestion, to keep the hands and feet continuously soft and smooth, is to wear waterproof gloves while doing dishes or doing any sort of household chores.

The outdoor air is often drier, colder, and holds onto less water during the chilly winter months. This causes chapped skin. Using a humidifier throughout the house and trying to maintain a humidity level of between 30 and 50 per cent will help to prevent extremely dry skin and any other irritations associated with the undesirable weather conditions.

UV radiation have been connected to premature skin ageing. That is a major reason to use sunscreen on a daily basis – which will ultimately help maintain a smooth exterior to our ageing skin.

You shouldn't anticipate immediate changes, but it might be feasible to gradually moisturise your skin from the inside out. A major study in the skincare fraternity suggests that people with poor water intake could improve the moisture of their skin by drinking more water. Skin experts have reminded us time and again that in addition to adequate intake of water – a meal complete in important vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids are equally important and helpful in keeping skin soft and supple for a long time to come.

Sunlight will obviously be at a premium during winter so it is imperative to ensure that your plant is getting enough sunlight. It would be best if you placed them in places where they will receive the maximum amount of sunlight. Examples include near the window or near the balcony and even in your balcony (although that adds the hassle of bringing them back in at night). Alternatively, you can create an artificial environment for your plant by adding specialized light bulbs that help plants cope up with the absence of light.

Continuing along the theme of sunlight and plant placements, if your plants get too much sunlight during winter, it might get overwhelmed and go into shock. Bangladesh winter is different from its western counterparts; the days do get hot from time to time and so it is a good idea to rotate your plants between heat source and draft sources and avoid extremes. This is particularly helpful if you have multiple plants.

Sunlight is scarce but you know what's not? Dust. Especially in Bangladesh's context, dust build-up can be a genuine struggle for indoor plants. What dust essentially does is it blocks pores and also harbours harmful pests. While watering can take a back seat during winter, your plants will definitely appreciate a gentle wipe with a damp cloth every now and then to help them absorb light properly and conduct photosynthesis.

Just like all other creatures, pests too look for warm and dry places during winter and will try to make homes in indoor plants and so it is on us to keep our plants safe from pests. Check for pests regularly by inspecting the leaves and their undersides as well as along the stems and carefully remove any leaves that might be infested to protect the rest of the plant and your other plants as well. The last thing you or your plant would want is a pest infestation.