Winter Break is upon us! As we go into this break you may be asking yourself what to do with all your spare time. Some of us might consider this time as uneventful but really it is time for endless opportunities, exploration, discovering, and learning new hobbies. Sometimes we find ourselves questioning what to do with this irregular free time compared to the busy school weeks, so if you’re looking for ideas that cost little to no money, you’re in the right place. 

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Do you have scraps of paper around your house and don’t know what to do with them? You can turn them into snow flakes.  It’s one of the more simple art projects but is still a great piece to add to your winter decor. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more arts-y and creative you can always look at painting. The ideas are endless, you could paint a self portrait, a scenery, or even a gift for someone else during this Holiday season. You can find paint for super cheap at your local dollar tree. Another warm activity you can do inside the comfort of your home is playing board games or cards. If you have board games laying around your house this is a great option but if not no worries, there’s many online games you can download for free such as Chess, Guess Who, or Scrabble. Wanting to do something with a group of friends or family? You can always hold a potluck. Even if just a few people bring a dish you can have your own feast while you also get to enjoy the process of making the food, and maybe even trying a new recipe. 

If you want the feeling of the crisp air on your face and crave leaving the house I recommend warming up some hot coco and going for a walk. Many neighborhoods have fun decorations or lights creating a sort of outdoor exhibit. Speaking of being outside, winter is actually the prime time to go stargazing. The crisp, dry air reduces atmospheric moisture and haze which brings clearer views and longer nights providing more viewing hours. Many faint stars are revealed better in the winter  than during humid summer nights. The brightest stars are brought to the darkest time of the year, so grab a blanket and head to your backyard!

As my last idea I want to recommend volunteering. Giving back to the community during this season is an incredibly important thing to do and currently volunteers are needed in many different places more than ever. Many animal shelters, warming centers, or canned food drives need help around this time of year. I hope you can find something to fill your Winter Break with. Happy Holidays!

Article by Sofia Bell