Winter may not be my favorite season, but the time right before the holidays is one of my favorite times of the year because of the warm, comfy feeling, yummy food and spending time with friends and family. Naturally, I plan to take full advantage of this season and make the most out of this horribly cold weather by doing as many holiday activities as possible. Here is my holiday bucket list, full of activities that will put you in the holiday spirit. Grab some peppermint hot chocolate, curl up by the fire, and decide which one you want to do first!
- Decorate for the Holidays
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This is a given! Put up a Christmas tree or Hanukkah menorah to get in the Christmas spirit. If you live in a dorm or don’t have a large budget, check out the dollar section of Target for gel clings to put on the window, lights to string across the door, small trees to put on tables, and more cute decorations for your dorm room or apartment.
- Ice Skating
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While I might not be talented at ice skating, I always enjoyed ice skating with friends during break. We would go to a local outdoor rink and get hot chocolate after. This is perfect for places where it does not snow because it is cold and more of a winter activity.
- Drive Around and Look at the Lights
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Whether it be a professional lighting display or mismatched colored lights, driving around town looking at lights after the Christmas Eve church service is one of my favorite traditions. Be sure to crank the heat and tune into the local holiday music station for a merry and bright evening.
- Host an Ugly Sweater Party
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Invite some friends over and have a party! I have a ‘grandma’ sweater that has won a lot of ugly sweater competitions and you can find the perfect sweater while thrifting or you can DIY it. This is also the perfect time to do a secret Santa exchange or white elephant gift swap, just make sure to organize it well to include everyone and set a price limit.
- Watch a Movie
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Sit around the fire, plug the tree lights in, and cozy up to watch a holiday classic. My favorites include: Elf, A Christmas Story, Home Alone, A Miracle on 34th Street, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. If you’re looking for more of a romantic movie, go for 12 Dates of Christmas or Holiday in Handcuffs. Hallmark also has a ton of options and Netflix has released a couple of hidden gems as well.
- Bake Holiday Cookies
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My mom and I had a tradition growing up where we would do a huge Christmas cookie baking day. We would roll the dough, cut out shapes, decorate them, and then give them to friends and family. If you’re not a big cookie person, try making a pie or bread from scratch to enjoy the feeling of putting in hard work and eating a warm sweet treat in the end.
- Go to a Local Festival
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Many towns have Christmas markets and special holiday celebrations. Waco has a Cocoa Crawl that takes you through Downtown as you sip on hot chocolate and explore local artisans and small businesses. Take pictures with Santa, shop from local merchants, drink some hot chocolate, and watch a Christmas tree lighting. This is a really great way to be involved in the community and a fun time with friends.
- Candle Shopping
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Some of the best candle scents are limited to the holiday season. Hit up Bath and Body Works or Yankee Candle (ideally during a sale) and pick out the perfect scents for this holiday season. Quick tip: store your candles in the freezer so they take longer to melt and they end up lasting longer.
- Send Holiday Cards
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I love to give and receive mail now that I am in college. My parents send me postcards of places they travel for work and my best friend and I mail each other letters weekly to stay close now that we go to college in different states. Send holiday cards with updates and pictures to family and friends to show how much you love and appreciate them, it is garnered to put a smile on their face!
- Give Back
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The holidays remind me of how blessed I am and there are so many things to be thankful for. Many homeless shelters are open now that it is cold, so look there to make a meal or help them sort donations. Churches often do Operation Christmas Child and wrap presents for children in need.
This holiday season is going to by real quick, so make sure you work on your bucket list ASAP! This wonderful time of year will be gone before you know it!