Winter is at our doorstep.  Ok, the whole "winter weather" thing hasn't arrived yet but I heard that we could see snow this weekend in Minnesota, which officially means in my world that summer is over.  Besides making sure our snowblowers are ready for that first snow dump, there are a few things that we need to do as Minnesotans to help us get ready for all of the winter things that are headed our way.

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5 Things People in Minnesota Must Do To Survive Winter

I'm not sure how you prep for the cold, winter months in the frigid state of Minnesota but here's a fun guide to help you get started.

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  • Buy a flannel shirt!  If you don't already have 5, Paul Bunyan would be sad and unfriend you.
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  • Stock up on chili supplies.  Nothing greater than a big bowl of chili on a -20 degree night...after you shoveled 20 inches of snow off your driveway.
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  • Buy a new board game and save it for that Snow Day!  We never know when this will actually happen, but it has been in May before!
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  • Flannel x2!  This time, that flannel is for your sheets.  Change out the cotton for the heavier and warmer threads...and your winter nights will be a lot cozier.

Although we are bracing in Minnesota right now for an epic winter, this list is good for any state that feels the cold and snow, including Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa.

What's on your "Minnesota Winter Survival Guide" list?

That was my personal list and I'm sure there are other things that should be added.  If you want to share what you do, feel free to send me a message over on my Facebook page - Jessica On The Radio.

18 Things People in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin Hate About Winter

Sledding on a perfect carpet of snow that just fell is a gorgeous sight in the midwest. That's the fun part of winter. With the snow though comes with a whole lot of ugly! If you've never experienced a midwest winter, here's a glimpse of what people in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin hate the most about the coldest season of the year.

Gallery Credit: Jessica Williams

The 25 Best Places to Live in Minnesota

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Minnesota using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.