For a lot of college students, hearing "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" invokes a sense of fear as responsibilities affiliated with final exams begin to accumulate. While it's easy to feel overwhelmed and miss out on celebrating the season during this busy time of year, college students can still find ways to prepare for Christmas. Here are some ways to relieve stress while doing so.
1. Make A Christmas Tree
While you could of course just buy a mini tree at a store, why not destress with a craft night and some music and make one yourself? My roommates and I used paint, tinsel purchased at the drugstore, string lights, and recycled cardboard to make our own. It only took about an hour and was really relaxing after working on assignments all day. Other options include making a tree out of all those textbooks you could be poring over, stringing lights or washi tape in a tree shape on your wall, or sticking post it notes (a cute way to keep track of all you have to do!) on a wall.
2. Host A Finals Free Christmas Party
Pick a night to meet up with friends and relax in your dorm, no finals talk allowed! Make a gingerbread house out of graham crackers and candy together or have a hot chocolate bar and watch a Christmas movie. Ugly Christmas sweaters are optional.
3. Enjoy the Countdown
Even though the closer it gets to Christmas, the closer it also gets to finals, you can still feel excited. Make a paper garland out of construction paper or buy a chocolate advent calendar at a dollar store to mark the days.
4. Sing Loud For All To Hear
Take a page out of Buddy the Elf's book and go caroling around your dorm, hold a Christmas song lip sync battle with friends, or even just dance around to Christmas music in your dorm. Or, go check out your school's choral groups. Chances are they'll have a holiday performance.
5. Attend A Tree Lighting
Chances are the town your school is in or one nearby is holding a tree lighting. Go bundled up with a mug of something warm and enjoy a quiet night of looking at the lights with your friends.
6. Secret Santa
Picking out presents for people while on a small budget in an already busy time is stressful enough. Save money by picking out a meaningful gift for one specific friend with a secret Santa gift exchange.