This time of year is reasonably chaotic in more ways than one. Between finals and extensive workloads, scrambling to find the perfect gifts for others, and all the while trying to balance personal downtime, it can be difficult to find a way to stay present. If you’re trying to find small ways to feel present this holiday season, you’ve come to the right place!
- Watch a movie
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There are so many great holiday and Christmas flicks out there that pertain to anyone’s favorite genre. Whether you’re looking for a classic Hollywood Christmas trope, childlike fun, cutesy animation, a comedy or rom-com’s, the holiday movies truly never disappoint.
The joy of sitting back and watching a movie is in part because it doesn’t have to be formal; watching a holiday favorite within the comfort of your own toasty blanket, a mug of hot chocolate, and a pair of cozy socks is my definition of a perfect night in for the holiday season.
- bake a treat
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Personally, my favorite winter-themed treats are the peanut butter blossoms (aka cookies with Hershey kisses) or a mug of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. However, any festive cookie, cupcake, cake or brownie is a delightful way to pass time while celebrating the holidays, especially if you have a sweet tooth, like me!
Bonus if you want to be extra crafty by creating your own gingerbread house!
- card-making
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Christmas is one of the best times of the year to express your gratitude for those you love and are surrounded by. I’ve never personally designed my own Christmas cards, but I can say that whenever I’ve received one from a friend it warms my heart for months afterward. Even years later, my face continues to light up when discovering their cards again.
If you’re running low on perfect gift ideas for a friend, family member, or S.O., a handwritten, homemade card will deliver, and truly emphasizes your thoughtfulness and gratitude. Speaking from experience, I promise a personal card means so much to your loved ones, and can also be a great way to decompress if you have a creative/artsy side!
- MAke a festive playlist
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A huge mood-booster for the holidays is of course, the music associated with it. You could shuffle through your festive playlist while cleaning your room, doing laundry, exercising, or anything else of your choosing!
We’ve all heard the Mariah Carey hits, with a hint of Michael BublĂ© and Wham!, but I know I’ll be sure to spice my holiday playlist up this year with some of the suggestions made in the article:
- decorate your space
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While you are deciding what to spice up your bedroom with for the holidays– like stringed Christmas lights, a decorated miniature tree, or a wreath on your door, it’s the perfect time to listen to that festive playlist of yours or have one of your holiday film favorites on as you decorate!
Or if you happen to prefer a different style from how your family tends to decorate, you could enjoy splurging at your local Target or Walmart on decor more suited to your liking, or to match the theme of your bedroom!
- make a winter bucket list
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I always find it fun to plan activities or get-togethers ahead of time, whether it be for yourself, or with friends and family. That way if you don’t have the time to do your ideas now, you can enjoy sitting back and planning a day for them anytime, for the rest of the season! You could create your winter bucket list a few different ways, too: between a bullet list in your notes app, or going all out and designing a notebook page with various colored markers, and maybe even stickers or minimal drawings to match the ideas you list!
You could even use the ideas listed above to add to your winter bucket list :).
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Remember to set aside time for yourself this December.
It may be that grades have overtaken your mind, or maybe you just haven’t found time or energy to enjoy the holidays just yet. If so, take this article as your free pass to pause and relax: you deserve to treat yourself to something your mind enjoys as the semester concludes. After all, your health and happiness will always come first.
Enjoy yourselves this season, and I want to wish you all a happy holidays on behalf of everyone here at Her Campus Gettysburg!
