It’s the greatest time of year: finals are coming to an end, the holidays are approaching, and you’re about to enjoy a much needed (and well deserved) winter break. As you prepare for the holiday festivities, there are a few things that you just ~have~ to do. Enter, the holiday season bucket list you need in your life. Start doing these and you’ll be in the holiday spirit in no time!
Bake cookies
I mean, does this even need an explanation? The holiday season doesn’t truly kick off until you feast on ~all~ the cookies: sugar, chocolate chip, oatmeal, peanut butter, etc. The list goes on and on! Gather your friends and family and dedicate a whole day to baking. Not only do you get to enjoy the cookies (and the batter), you’ll be sure to get a cute Insta picture out of it too. #win
Go ice skating
Channel your inner Buddy the Elf, because ice skating is a must on your holiday bucket list. Whether you can go to New York and go ice skating at Rockefeller Center or at Bryant Park or if you’re lucky enough to have a frozen pond in your own backyard, grab your friends and plan a skating date. Don’t worry if you aren’t the most graceful- you’ll have fun between trying not to fall and laughing the whole time.
Go shopping on Christmas Eve
Sure, the crowds the holiday season brings to the mall aren’t for everyone, but nothing beats the excitement of finishing up your Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. Getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyone getting their last minute shopping done will make you feel like you’re living in a Hallmark Christmas movie (see below)-it’ll surely put you in the holiday spirit (and you might even be able to score some awesome last minute deals, too.)
Have a Hallmark Christmas movie marathon
If you’ve never seen a Hallmark Christmas movie, you need to change that right now. Although they can be cheesy and a bit cliché, these movies are heartwarming and they make for the perfect festive girl’s night activity.
Build the best snowman of your life
Channel your inner Frozen fanatic and build a snowman! Gather your friends or family and have a competition to see who can create the best one-if you’re lucky enough to have access to snow, that is. If you don’t have a white Christmas, craft an edible snowman with marshmallows or get creative and make a snowman out of common household items. No matter what you do, be sure to sing the Frozen soundtrack the whole time.
Make your dorm a winter wonderland
In case you aren’t aware, the dollar section in Target has ~so~ many amazing, festive goodies that you can get to decorate your room (without breaking your budget). Whether you go all out with a fake tree or decorate your window with snowflake stickers, decorating your room is essential.
Go store window-hopping
If you’re lucky enough to be able to visit New York City during the holidays, checking out the window displays is a must. Stores spend months preparing for their festive creations, and each year they get bigger and bolder. From Saks on 5th Avenue to Macy’s in Herald Square, these windows are a must see.
Try ~all~ the non-boring hot chocolate recipes
Sure, nothing beats a good ol’ cup of hot chocolate while sitting in front of the Christmas tree with “A Christmas Story” playing on a 24-hour loop. But what’s even better is a cup of hot chocolate taken to the next level. Kick your recipe up a notch with these genius ideas to make your hot cocoa that much more exciting.