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There is prepared in a kit bag and prepared at home. This post is being prepared at home for warmth. Living in the mountains, power does go out. It has been out here for up to 2 weeks in a bad snow storm. Most fireplaces look pretty but do little to heat.

MMO is to suggest that your home have a simple solution like a radiant heat stove/oven. I looked for a German one but could only get Finnish in this area -- Tulikivi. Stoking it for 2-4 hours keeps the house warm for 24. Many people have Franklin stoves which are great while burning, but not practical to keep stoked all night. Tulikivis weigh over 5000 lbs and heat up soap stone channels to keep the heat radiating for maximum time.

Of course, I should point out, have some wood cut -- even if you are surrounded by woods. It needs to dry. Devil is in the details.

If trying to stay warm out of doors, and you have a number of people, warmest night I ever spent was -4 F outside in a para-tepee with 7 fellow winter survival candidates. So if you have an old parachute, or something that makes a good tent (maybe a tent) and friends, it works.

Merry Christmas.