I think it was around last Monday when it finally happened. Since November, all the elevator small talk has been the same: “Shouldn’t I be freezing my butt off by now?” and “I can’t believe it’s winter, and I’m only wearing one layer of underwear!” Then, in typical Shanghai fashion, it happened. In the blink of an eye, winter blew through the city like a vengeful spirit. The unbreakable winds, the face-numbing morning chill, the acceptance that you will no longer be getting out of bed for your morning jog: Shanghai is now cold.

Most of us know that this means trouble for families. Winter is bad for kids for a variety of reasons, most of them cold and flu-related, but let’s not forget how they love to ceaselessly remind you about just how cold it is. Because some not-very-bright land developers convinced themselves a long time ago that since Shanghai is below the Yangtze, the buildings don’t need insulation, this city hosts one of the worst kinds of winters. Most apartments have no insulation, no double glazing, no sealing, no central heating, and if they’re like mine, they have massive, wall-sized sliding windows that let the cold in like a sieve. This can effectively render winter inescapable, leaving your family spending nights huddled together in your overcoats to conserve body heat.

Unless. Unless! Unless you take action. To the list!

1) Fix Those Drafts: As much as the kids want you to, running the heater all day will set you back an ungodly amount. For a DIY way to reduce drafts, you can put a thick towel at the bottom of your doors, although unless you’re willing to tape them to your windows (and lose perfectly good towels while you’re at it), it’s not the best long-term solution.

2) Curtains Are Crucial: A slightly better alternative is to switch curtains. If you manage to purchase heavy curtains with lining and interlining, hang them as high as possible and let them break on the floor, you’ll be surprised at how effectively they keep the cold from entering your home. You can get custom drapes made for next to nothing at Shiliupu, but while they may improve your home’s interior, heavy curtains can make you feel like you live in a bomb shelter.

3) Rug Up: If your place has hardwood or tile floors, it’s a good idea to buy some rugs. They’ll insulate the cold-conducive floor, warm your feet, add some color to the room and provide padding for when your toddlers take a tumble.

4) Taobao Can Help: If your Chinese is up to scratch and you’re looking to save some coin, you can always buy insulation online. Taobao, of course, has the best variety at the lowest prices. This section is great for a wide variety of tapes and foams. Check out this guide on how to buy from Taobao if you’re willing to brave one of the China’s most popular sites.

5) More Shopping Options: If none of the above appeal to you, your best bet for DIY insulation would be to visit the DIY kings B&Q. This chain store sells both plastic film and rubber foam tape to seal and insulate your doors and windows, though if you’re as incompetent as I am, you’ll need to pay someone to help you apply it.

6) Heaters Galore: Not looking to reupholster the apartment? Try picking up a decent heater for your room, instead of leaving the big air-con unit running. The cheapest option is an 800 watt Midea heater from Carrefour (RMB79), but some complain that they break easily and that it can be difficult to sleep with the unit’s inextinguishable orange lighting. For about RMB300, you can buy an oil-filled electric radiator. They’re silent, more efficient than fanned heaters and continue radiating heat after they’re shut off (though it’s worth mentioning that they’re not protected against the curious fingers of younger children and could easily result in a burn).

By remembering these tips and always keeping a thermos of tea at your side, you may find your Shanghainese winter more bearable than our sticky summers. Don’t even get me started on them. Since I’ve no doubt missed a few, what tips do you have for warming your home this season? Drop us a comment below.