As a true Holiday season enthusiast, it is always difficult for me to gauge whether or not my craving for seasonal activities beckons me a bit too soon. Some say that the time to shift gears and go full bore Chritsmas spirited is after Thanksgiving, but where’s the fun in only a month of Holiday cheer, right? So, in true Christmas-freak nature, here goes a Holiday season bucket list, just a few days early.
1. Baking Sugar Cookies
I’m not gonna lie to you guys, I may or may not have already baked my first batch of festive cookies…. but can you blame me?! Is there a better combination than baked goods and Christmas? Because I’ve been hard pressed to find one. One of the best things about this time of year is this ritual of mine in which I binge watch Christmas movies while simultaneously binge eating cookie dough and frosting. I even have a pretty fantastic recipe (roommate approved and everything) that I’ll share with you guys, just to make your holiday seasons a little bit brighter: http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com/2011/03/thick-soft-sugar-cookies.html.
2. Make a Gingerbread House
I’m not sure if you’ve caught on yet, but I really enjoy the baked goods aspect of the holidays… anyway! This is another favorite of mine, albeit a little more challenging than other festivities. I would like to say that making Gingerbread houses is fun whether or not it turns out adorably, but I’d be lying. Frankly if you don’t like your final product you’ll wonder why you wasted three hours of your life sticking frosting on stale cookies (I say this from experience). However, practice makes perfect and should your house turnout as spectacularly as you imagined, you get eternal bragging rights (I’m talking snapstory updates, Insta posts, that gingerbread house of yours will and should grace every friend and family members’ eyes!). This is another activity that goes well paired with some Holiday movie binging!
3. Go to see the Christmas light displays in your local bougie neighborhood!
This is a fun one to do with family or friends! We have a particularly spirited part of town that we always go to see the light displays around this time. This neighborhood is known for their epic displays and thus never lets us down. The thought some people put into these decorations is truly astounding, we typically witness everything from themed displays to what looks like a barrage of Christmas lights threw up (in the prettiest way) on these individuals’ homes.
4. Go Ice Skating
I’m not sure that when I do this one it can technically be considered “skating” so much as “falling” consistently and painfully. But regardless it is holiday spirited and thus I treasure it so. There’s just something extra special about getting all of your buddies together and trying to move gracefully on a large patch of slippery hardness (maybe it’s the challenge? Or perhaps seeing your friends fumble around as ungracefully as you do?). I’m sure it’s fun for the people who are good at skating too, I just can’t speak on something I can’t relate to. So in summary, whether you are an excellent or a struggling skater, I 10/10 would recommend this fun seasonal activity!
5. Help Decorate!
This one seems to go without saying as most everyone decorates their home for the holidays (as far as I know). With finals plaguing the last few weeks of the semester, it might be harder to decorate your school abode, but that’s not to say you can’t help your mom or dad or whomever runs your household throw up some holly or litter the tree with ornaments when you get home! There’s something about the feeling of blasting Christmas jams while hanging bright colored trinkets on your walls and temporary houseplants that the holidays just feel empty without.
6. Give Back
I think it took some maturity on my part to truly understand the immense value in this tradition. Whether you are supplying donations to great causes or donating your time, there is something very humbling about giving back to those in need, and no better way to step back and appreciate what you have. I’ve attached a link of sites you may be interested in donating to this holiday season, but don’t forget to check local homeless shelters and soup kitchens for volunteer opportunities!
We hope this holiday season brings you lots of love, laughter, health, and happiness. Happy celebrating!