If you live in a northern clime, snow days are one of the perks.  Some days, the weather is just too bad to go out, so school is cancelled and people get an unexpected day off work.

I won't comment on the traditional ways to "encourage" a snow day:  wearing your pajamas inside out, flushing ice cubes down the toilet, etc.  But I will talk about how you can be prepared for these days.

In the winter, you should try to keep your gas tank at least half full.  Also, make sure you have an ice scraper, a good shovel, and something to deal with the ice (sand, salt, ice melt, etc.).  If you have a snowblower, make sure you have gas for it.  Also, try to have at least one phone that is not cordless in case power goes out.  If you do not have a landline and the power goes down, rotate which cell phone you keep on and take any opportunity to recharge.

I like to keep basic groceries on hand at all times.  At the very least, have cereal, powdered milk, and soup.  But if you are going to be home all day, it's a great time to break out special recipes.  Simmer a pot of chili or some stew.  Whip up some cookies.  Bake bread. (You can use frozen bread dough — you still get the smell of baking bread.) Make hot chocolate NOT from a mix or popcorn not in the microwave.

You'll also want to have some activities close at hand.  After all, you can't spend the whole day making snow angels.  Perhaps you'll want some board games, a deck or two of playing cards, a good book, a DVD, a fluffy pillow for a nap, a craft supply. 

Some people like to use a snow day to catch up on chores around the house since the schedule is open. Me, I like to treat the day as a gift and just enjoy.