By Faith Crippen
The holiday season is upon us! At the same time as it means freezing weather and crowded stores, it also means colorful lights and, for most people, Christmas festivities. If you’re looking for things to do to get you more in the spirit for the holidays, this is the list for you! Here’s five things you can do to make your holiday season a little bit better.
The classic go-to: watch Christmas movies! If you can’t choose one, or maybe you’re looking for some recommendations, here are a few of the journalism team’s favorites:
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (rated PG)
Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (both rated PG)
Elf (rated PG)
Krampus (rated PG-13 for scenes of terror/horror and mild language)
Christmas Twister (rated PG)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (rated PG)
Gremlins (rated PG)
2. Though this is completely dependent on your neighborhood, it’s always fun to go on a drive or walk by the crazy-Christmas-decorator’s house, who is notorious for completely drowning their house in lights and decorations, from lawn to rooftop!
3. Give back to your community! Participate in a volunteer service. The holidays are one of the best and most vital times to volunteer. Toy-drives and food-drives are wonderful ways to help families or individuals who are unable to afford things this Christmas. Collecting and donating warm clothes to the homeless is also a vital service as the weather grows colder. Even the smallest of actions can mean the world to those in need.
4. Do a secret-Santa gift exchange with some of your friends or family! Write the names of every person participating on a separate slip of paper and mix the papers around in a bowl, then have every member of the group select a name with their eyes closed – no one tells whose name they drew. Whoever’s name you get from the bowl is who you’ll shop for or make a gift for! If you’re quarantined, you can still do this activity, but through mail!
5. Do Christmas-themed crafts! Make ornaments or cards, bake sugar cookies, sew stockings, and even put together a gingerbread house!