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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Brown chapter.

While you may be bogged down with exams and assignments this time of year, it is also the season for sugar cookies, holiday movies, and gift giving. Lean into the festive spirit of the winter time with some seasonal activities that don’t include studying for your impending exams – those can wait for now.

Warm Up Your Day With a Seasonal Beverage

As the temperatures begin to drop and iced coffees become a bit too cold, cozy up to a warm beverage at your local coffee shop or make your own! Whether you prefer hot chocolate, gingerbread lattes, or eggnog, the holiday flavors are guaranteed to get you in the spirit.

Spice Up Your Room with Holiday Decorations

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or another holiday, there are plenty of seasonal decorations to add a bit of cheer to your space. Decorate with a small Christmas tree or menorah, fill Christmas stockings with little gifts or candies, add a festive doormat outside your room, or throw a cozy seasonal blanket on your bed.

Go Ice Skating

Grab a cup of cocoa, lace up your skates, and go ice skating at your local outdoor rink. There are few things more festive than gliding on the ice to some holiday tunes.

Build a Gingerbread House

Gather your friends or family and build a gingerbread house! Collaborate on one house or have a competition to see who can be most creative!

Watch Your Favorite Holiday Movie

Pop some popcorn, bundle up under a cozy blanket, and watch your favorite holiday movie. Whether it’s a classic or a new rendition, a holiday movie can always brighten spirits. Need inspiration? Consult this list of 100 best holiday movies to help you decide.

Sweeten Up Your Day With Holiday Cookies

A little sweet treat can cheer up even the darkest and coldest of winter days. Cut snowflakes or trees into holiday sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies, or fill some rugelach with chocolate or jam.

Sport a Cute Holiday Outfit

Lean into the colors of the holiday season with a pair of festive pajamas or a holiday Fair Isle sweater.

Count Down the Days with an Advent Calendar

If you enjoy counting down the days until Christmas, like I do, there is nothing better than closing out each day with a small surprise. Whether you like tea, cookies, chocolate, or candy, this list of advent calendars has something for everyone to enjoy.

Give Back Through Gifts

‘Tis the season for giving! Give a little extra this year through gifts that do good in the broader community. Support public parks, shelters, or child hunger through these charitable gifts and embrace the giving spirit!

Alexandra Tucker is a writer at Brown's Her Campus chapter from Boston, Massachusetts. She writes on style, culture, food, and Providence. Alex is currently a junior at Brown University, concentrating in Public Health and Health and Human Biology. She is a volunteer at The Miriam Hospital in Providence, is a member of the Women's Health Advocacy Group, manages the social media account of Fashion @ Brown, and belongs to the Kappa Delta sorority. In her free time, Alex enjoys doing yoga, frequenting cute cafes around Providence and Boston, doing New York Times crossword puzzles, and exploring Brown's campus on foot with a good podcast.