Winter break is a time to relax and enjoy the company of your friends and family. But, it can sometimes get boring just cooped up in your house. So, if you're not interested in just sitting doing nothing (or just working) all winter break, here are a couple ideas of what you can do during the wonderful Christmas season:
1. See a Christmas lights show
In Virginia, the Bull Run Festival of Lights is a good recommendation (there's even a carnival at the end). You drive your car through this path of different lights until coming to a Christmas-themed carnival at the very end.
2. Go ice skating
In Virginia, two good spots for ice-skating is Manassas and Reston Town Center. Reston has nice plaza surrounding the rink, that consists of different shops and restaurants. It's a perfect activity for an outing with friends or a family day-trip.
3. Attend your town's Christmas parade or tree lighting event
I know in my town as well as in the town where I go to college, they have Christmas lighting events in the main center of the town. It's always nice to go out and be festive listening to Christmas music and waiting for the tree to be lit while surrounded by everyone in your town.
4. Go Christmas shopping for your friends and family
While some might hate it, you can't deny that there's at least a little joy in finding different gifts for everyone you care about. I personally love Christmas shopping, and honestly, if you go at the right times, it's not really that busy and can be finished in a breeze.
5. Bake Christmas cookies/a Christmas dessert
Even if they don't look as perfect as the ones you saw on Pinterest, at least you tried...am I right?
6. Have a Christmas Movie marathon
Let's be real, some of the best movies out there are Christmas movies, so you really can't go wrong, whichever one you choose to watch first (you know you're gonna watch them all).
7. Make a Gingerbread House
Whether you choose to do it alone or with others, it's always a cute thing to do around the holidays.
8. Buy an ugly Christmas sweater
Or two, or three... is there really a limit?
9. Decorate the outside of your house with Christmas lights and decorations.
Even if you have to haul your dad outside through all the complaints and grunts to reach the highest points, the final result will be completely worth it when all the neighbors are jealous of your house.
10. Attend a Christmas party
Whether it's formal or casual, it really does help get you into the Christmas spirit. The best kind of party, if you ask me.
11. Spend time with your family
Even if you think your family is completely dysfunctional, as I'm sure most of us can understand, or if you're not typically a family-oriented person, they're the only family you have and Christmas is definitely a time worth spending with your family. Enjoy the good times and memories made, I'm sure something worth remembering will occur that you can look back on for yours to come, whether it makes you want to laugh or cry...I mean that is what family is for, right?
