You know this because Lowes has sold out of navy, thigh-high school socks and formal ties.

You are doubly-sure of this because you're having heated discussions two mornings a week with your eight-year-old as to why they won't wear the school tracksuit pants on sports days.

They are quick to remind you that they have only ever worn tracksuit pants to school once in their entire life when you conspired with their teacher to offer them some extra encouragement.

"Remember that made-up merit award I got for dressing warm when I was six?!" they say.

Seriously, eight-year-olds are so cynical today.

"You earned that award," I say, "I was very proud of you!"

"Very funny," they say, deadpan.

But the Border really turns it on and does winter well and here's what we've got to look forward to from Saturday:

1.) Hygge. Unlike House Rules 2019 would have you believe, it's pronounced hoo-gah. To be fair, South Australian contestants Lisa and Andy may have just put an Adelaide accent on it when they tried to articulate hygge earlier this month. In fact, hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment. With such a long and dark winter, the Danes have made the most of it by lighting candles, cooking up a storm and getting people together for chat and/or beer. We've been lighting candles for weeks now and have really upped our hygge game. A little hygge goes a long way though; both our kids say winter is by far their favourite season! (We're not skiers either, so it's not for that reason.)

2.) Ski season. Albury-Wodonga and surrounds are perfectly placed to take advantage of the Victorian ski fields. Falls Creek Resort reported its first Ski Patrol snow depth of the season - 28 centimetres on Monday. Seemingly, snow in May is a good sign for the season!

3.) Porridge. While I eat muesli or granola almost year-round, I feel there are a few weeks in winter when only porridge will do. Porridge season is on the boil right now. Cafes are also stepping up their porridge game and preparing oats more creatively than ever before.

4.) Movie marathons. Now that Game of Thrones has come to an end, we can move on to bigger and better, though probably not longer, things. (No need for a spoiler alert here, I stopped watching Game of Thrones after Season 2. I know it's me, not Game of Thrones!! I've been told many, many times by people who know far better than me!) Have really enjoyed Killing Eve and Press on ABC iView and The Chaperone at Regent Cinemas Albury-Wodonga.

5.) Proper sourdough bread. The Border and North East are spoilt for choice when it comes to bakeries and microbakeries. Sourdough bread is around all year but winter calls for even bigger stocks to go with our soup, right?

6.) Queen's Birthday Long Weekend. As Queen Elizabeth II doesn't mind a tipple, I feel it's only fair to celebrate her birthday with wine. Think Rutherglen Winery Walkabout, Weekend Fit for a King, Trails, Tastings and Tales Food and Wine Festival. Whitfield winery Darling Estate Winery is celebrating its descendants being in the King Valley for 100 years with a special collaboration with wine legend Rick Kinzbrunner (Gourmet Traveller WINE winemaker of the year 2006). Here's cheers to that!

7.) Less Leaves. All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey. Soon there will be fewer leaves to rake up but it's been a stunning albeit late autumnal display throughout the North East.

8.) Curry. Warm up from the inside-out.

9.) Exercise without the pesky heat.

10.) Long pants. I think I speak for the species when I say we collectively feel better in jeans than in shorts, as a rule. I'm a big fan of winter wardrobes but I share my youngest's aversion to tracksuit pants. No mock merit award would motivate me to wear them, either!

Rug up and stay warm everyone.