As winter break approaches, we all have a couple things in mind about what we'll be doing. For me, it's sleeping in my own bed, having home cooked meals, playing with my dog, and sleeping some more. But as great as all of these are, I want to spend as much time with my family as I can before I go back up to school. Yet, whenever we decide we want to do something, we can never think of anything. So if you've had the same situation in your family, hopefully these ideas will help you out a little.
1. Go to the beach
If you're from a place that's 80 degrees or warmer year round like I am, then you know all weather is beach weather. With the exception of that one week a year (if we're lucky) where the temperature dips into the 50's, there's always a beach calling your name. It is such an easy activity to do with your family, and doesn't take much planning or money.
2. Drive around and look at holiday lights
This is one of my all time favorite things to do. Every year since I was little, we would drive to different neighborhoods and look at all of the lights strung up on houses and yards. The best part about this is that you are in the car most of the time, so if you live somewhere that actually has seasons, you won't freeze trying to look at twinkle lights.
3. Take a trip somewhere cold
Once again, if you're like me, you don't experience anything close to winter where you live. South Florida isn't exactly known for its snow, so a trip to a place that gets cold is the perfect change of scenery. Last year we went to Boston for New Year's Eve, and let me just say, that was the coldest I've been in my entire life. And while my SoFlo body might not be built to be up north for longer than a week, it was definitely an amazing time.
4. Take a trip somewhere warm
If you live in a state that gets really cold in the winter, odds are you'll be ready for a vacation by the time winter break rolls around. Planning a trip south is the best way to relax, and prepare yourself for the long season ahead. Trips are great for family bonding, and they are a great way to spend some quality time with each other before work and school start back up. Plus, you'll have a tan while you're shoveling snow back home.
5. Movie night
Having a movie night with your family might sound cheesy, but it's actually a really fun thing to do. Whether its renting a movie or finding one on Netflix, this has always been something my family and I enjoy doing together. That is, if we can all agree on a movie.
6. Bake holiday treats
Now this is one of my favorites, because it involves something I love: food. Holiday themed food always seems to be better than regular food, and I'm not complaining. Those Christmas cookies are to die for (you know the ones), and anything tastes amazing with peppermint involved. Peppermint bark, peppermint mocha (shout out Starbucks), candy canes, the list goes on.
7. Go shopping
Everyone knows the holiday season has the best sales, so at least two family shopping trips during winter break are necessary. The trick is to go after Christmas, which apparently all the stores decided was the best time to have massive discounts. Sure, the mall will probably have a ton of people, but 70% off is worth it.
8. Do nothing
Sometimes it's nice to just sit around and talk, and not make any big plans. Now that I'm in college, just catching up with my parents and sister is enough for me to relax, and it is nice to take a break from doing something 24/7. Even though I speak to my parents almost every day, a face to face conversation is so much better.
