As the temperature plummets, it’s hard to not let your spirits go down with it. Teachers are piling on the homework as the semester comes to a close and exams are just around the corner, but keep your head up. Now is the time to check some items off your bucket list (or even scribble a few more on the end). An added bonus: you don’t need a man to snuggle up and drink hot chocolate. Here’s a list of some fun holiday activities:
1. Seasonal Crafting
The holidays will be here before you know it, so why not get in the spirit? Grab your suitemates, hall mates, neighbors, and apartment buddies and get artsy. Every craft store is having their annual holiday decoration sales, so why not take advantage of it? String lights from the ceiling (Command Hooks make this job super easy), play holiday music, and wrap up your door in snowman wrapping paper. And you don’t need to invest in air fresheners to aromatize your place, just pop some cookies in the oven and let the scent waft through the room. If you’re like me, snowflake making is also a must–just make sure you have plenty of glitter to make ‘em sparkle.
A little snapshot of my own dorm :)
2. Holiday Baking
It’s a well known fact that the holiday season comes hand in hand with one long food coma. So embrace your inner Paula Deen and get bakin’. If you aren’t so confident in your ability to make seven layer bars or pumpkin pie, don’t freak. The grocery store is filled with bakery items and boxed mixes to give a little helping hand. However, with all the free time you might have over the holidays, it’s the perfect time to embark on your culinary journey. But you may want to start off easy–Chocolate chip cookies are always a good idea. And hey, if they don’t bake so well, there’s always left over batter.
P.S. If you need any ideas take a look at Pillsbury.com
3. Serving Others
Around the holidays there are plenty of ways to feel fuzzy inside by getting involved in a service project. From Operation Christmas Child to the Salvation Army, there is no shortage of charities to donate your time to. I personally love to wrap presents in the mall and donate the proceeds to my favorite charity. Or, grab your friends and visit a nursing home to get your BINGO on. Wherever you are, there is a holiday service project that won’t only benefit a charity, but your mind and heart, too.
4. Gift Giving!
Gifts are always a sure way to make someone smile (I mean who doesn’t love getting a little something they really wanted?). Whether it’s Secret Santa at the office or a gift exchange between your besties, there is no better way to get in the holiday spirit. Go all out and host a get together with dinner and desserts and finish with sharing your gifts. The anticipation of unwrapping what your bestie got you is killer, but that makes it all the more fun.
5. Have a Bonfire
If there’s one thing that shouldn’t end after the summer is over, it’s bonfires. Why not lounge in some lawn chairs with your gals, roast marshmallows, and gossip all night long? Take this as a great opportunity to get away from all the stress. And when the fire burns out, you can kick back and enjoy the stars for a little. Just a warning, it will get cold–so bring a few extra blankets.
6. Go Caroling
The winner of the most fun winter activity most definitely goes to caroling. It doesn’t matter if you can’t sing and it doesn’t matter if you don’t know all the words to Frosty the Snowman (although you might want to learn). Just grab a group of willing participants and treat some lucky individuals to the beauty of your voices, no one can deny carolers. You know you’ve wanted to carol for years and the time has finally come to step out of your comfort zone and spread the tunes. Plus, it’s impossible not to smile while spreading a the holiday cheer.
Whether you love getting bundled up in the winter or absolutely despise the cold, there is an activity that is bound to put a smile on your face in these next chilly months. So take this opportunity to grab your best girlfriends and a sharpie and start checking off that winter bucket list.