Well, the semester is finally over and Christmas break is here. We’ve been looking forward to it since October, looking forward to the down time and all the homework we no longer have to do. We are ready for ugly sweater parties and Christmas presents, to skiing and hanging out with family and friends. Here’s the kicker though Christmas break is here and we are two days in and I’m already at a loss of things to do. I’ve taken the dog walking and cleaned my hedgehogs' cage, the kitchen is spotless and I’ve worked 8-hour shifts, I’ve watched almost all of season two of Fuller House and I shaved my legs but what else is there to do?

I spent almost all day in Colorado Springs Friday and watched This is us but between having to work at night and still being exhausted from the lack of sleep during the semester I’m at a loss of things to do, though it may be easier if everyone worked the same schedule so it was like real life version of Tetris trying to get everyone’s time to fit together to hang out I still couldn’t think of anything to do when our schedules do allow us to hang out so here are some winter activities to do in Colorado if you can find the time with friends or by yourself, so you don’t get bored this Christmas break.

1. Outdoor Ice Skating in Skyline Park

This is completely free with 2-dollar skate rentals or you can bring your own, they are open all day and are located in the heart of Downtown Denver from Nov. 22, 2016, through Feb. 14, 2017!

2. Hammonds Candy Factory Tour

This is also located in Denver and is completely free, it is a 30-minute tour that runs almost all day during the weekdays, for groups of ten or more you must make reservations online or by calling but for any less you can just walk in. You get a fun paper hat and you can buy candy at the end of the tour! Who doesn’t want to buy candy!?

3. Skiing

As most Colorado natives know there is an abundance of ski resorts across the state with varying rates but the cheapest I’ve found and quickest to get to from where I live is Monarch Mountain. They are open from 9-4 daily and offer 27 dollar rentals with 1-day lift tickets from 69 dollars online to 84 as a walk in.

4. Electric Safari at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

This is open from December 9-23 and 25- Jan 1 and is around 20 dollars, this is a little on the pricey side but is very fun for any ages.

5. Christmas Shop in Manitou Springs

I’m not too sure what the actual name of this shop is but I know it is located in Manitou springs and is open all year round, it is filled with Christmas decorations for the entire year as well. I'm sure there are plenty of other things going on in Manitou during Christmas time as well.

6. Get Outside

If it has snowed outside just get out and build snowmen and go sledding and make snow angles, have a snowball fight and just indulge your inner child then go inside and cuddle under blankets and drink hot chocolate while watching Christmas movies.