WIth Christmas right around the corner, you’re surely excited to finish your exams and get home. However, Christmas doesn’t have to be just a one day celebrating before your back to school. Try some new traditions with your family and friends this season to make Christmas a little more festive this year.
1) Make your own Christmas sweater
For all the crafty people out there, making a Christmas sweater can be easier than it sounds! Buy a plain sweater, or reuse an old one that you never wear, then spice it up with a few decorations. Consider buying decorations from the dollar store by purchasing craft kits. These will have pre-cut Christmas shapes that will add a little flair to your sweater. If you’re at a loss for ideas, check out Pinterest. Most importantly, don’t be afraid that it’s going to look bad. The uglier, the better!
2) Take a tour of the Christmas lights in your neighbourhood
Nothing gets people more in the Christmas spirit than seeing Christmas lights up on their neighbours houses. Take some time in the evening to go for a walk and see the beautiful scenery – even take some photos. Or if you’re in Waterloo for the Holiday season, check out the Festival of Lights in Waterloo Park. WIth over 100,000 lights covering the park, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.
3) Have a Christmas movie marathon
There’s nothing better than snuggling up on the couch with a cup of Hot Cocoa and watching a Christmas movie. Since it is that wonderful time of year, Netflix is filled with a seemingly endless selection of Holiday movies. Pick your favourite, or maybe one you’ve never seen before, and make a night of it.
4) Play ‘White Elephant’ with your family or friends
This festive game is a great way to exchange gifts without spending a fortune. Best of all; everyone gets a present! Set a price range that is affordable to everyone. I suggest around $10-15. Have everyone bring their gifts, wrapped and unlabelled, to a get together. Place the gifts in the centre of the room then distribute numbers to each person, from 1 to however many people you have, The person with number 1 gets to pick the first present. The person with number 2 can then steal from number 1 or pick a new gift. 3 can steal from number 1 or 2, or pick a new gift, and so on. The game continues until the person with the last number picks their gift. Finally, everyone gets to open the gift they hold and try to guess who bought it.
5) Take a picture with Santa
You’re never too old to take a picture with Santa. This is a great way to preserve memories, and if you continue it each year, you can look back and see how you’ve changed. To accomplish this just head to the nearest mall. Most malls with take pictures from your phone for free. If you’d like to buy copies of your picture however, purchase one of their photo packages.
6) Volunteer
Christmas doesn’t always have to be about presents and shopping. Sometimes the best holiday tradition is to just get out there and make someone else’s day a little brighter. Doing nice things for other people during the Holiday Season is, in my opinion, the best way to celebrate. So sign up to volunteer at your local soup kitchen, animal shelter, or even just donate to the local toy drive. There’s so many ways to get involved.