The Great Indoors - winter months lifestyles - Brief Article

American Demographics, Dec 1, 2001

The cold winter months might seem like a good time to crawl under the covers and hibernate, especially in these uncertain times. But instead of hunkering down for a long winter's nap, some of us are finding comfort in indoor hobbies, games or food. Not surprisingly, sales of canned soup are highest during December and January. And increased flour and baking powder purchases during the winter suggest that Americans are baking more cupcakes, pies and bread when the weather outside is frightful. But the kitchen isn't the only room in the house where Americans are cooking. For many, the colder months are prime-time for snuggling and spawning the next generation. Women conceive at higher rates in October through January than they do in other months of the year. Whether consomme or consummation, it's all about keeping the chill out.

Sources: Information Resources Inc., 2001 National Center for Health Statistics, 2000

Home Sweet Home

Top five states where people prefer to spend a quiet evening at home:

Comfort Foods

Top three states for oatmeal consumption:

Kansas

Rhode Island

Tennessee

Top three states for grits consumption:

Georgia

South Carolina

North Carolina

Source: Simmons Market Research Bureau, 2000

Patchwork Days

Profile of the hard-core quilter:

Burning Embers

Where the artificial firelogs are ablaze:

Splish Splash

Unit sales of residential hot tubs:

GLUED TO THE TUBE

LAST DECEMBER, MORE AMERICANS TUNED IN TO RUDOLPH AND FROSTY THAN TO MARTHA.