The long-awaited winter break and holiday season have finally arrived! For those who aren’t traveling this winter but still want to have a fun holiday break, here’s a list of ways to spend your time both indoors and outdoors:

Gingerbread Houses

One fun idea to try out at home with friends or family is creating gingerbread houses. Both festive and delicious, gingerbread houses are a great way to have some fun and make yourself and your loved ones a sweet treat! Gingerbread houses can be made both from scratch or can be purchased in kits, both providing the opportunity to get creative and embrace the holiday spirit. Gingerbread houses can be made alone, with a friend, or even in competition with a larger group. Definitely look at Pinterest for some unique ideas and design inspiration. (P.S. A fun tip to make your gingerbread house extra special is to melt Jolly Ranchers in your oven and use them as windows for your house!)

DIY Gifts & Cards

Another fun way to bring some joy into loved ones’ lives is by making DIY cards and gifts. Sending a heartfelt message to your friends and family with a handmade card is a unique way to spread the holiday spirit. Additionally, gift-giving is a great way to show your appreciation for those you hold dear while getting creative. Some fun homemade gift ideas include baked goods, photo albums and scrapbooks, crocheted or knitted items, paintings or other artistic creations, handmade jewelry, and so much more! To make this even more enjoyable, you can exchange these gifts through Secret Santa, where each person in a group is randomly assigned someone to surprise with a gift—just remember to keep your assigned person a secret! Another fun way to spice up your gifts is through the White Elephant game, where participants each bring a gift and can trade them around with one another. Overall, DIY gifts and cards are a great way to show care by putting extra time and effort into getting creative. 

Books

Perhaps one of the most widely known winter clichés has to be curling up under a blanket with a good book. For many, however, the struggle lies in finding the right book to bring with you to the couch. But don’t worry—with so many books out there, there is certain to be one to fit your taste! If you’re looking for a romance novel, definitely check out books by Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, and Lynn Painter. For a fun fantasy read, Sarah J Mass’ three interconnected series are highly recommended by many book lovers. Other fun fantasy reads include Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series, Powerless by Lauren Roberts, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, or the iconic Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. However, if you are more interested in the classics, Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens are perfect reads that fit the winter theme.

Movies

For those who aren’t big readers but still want to enjoy a good story, movies are another great option! On one hand, there are lots of newly released movies in theaters to check out before they leave the big screen. For a family-friendly nostalgic watch, check out Moana 2, which follows Moana as she embarks on yet another journey with the demigod Maui. Wicked brings the award-winning Broadway Musical to life on screen, featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as the movie’s main leads. Gladiator 2 presents the action-packed journey of a Roman gladiator with a mysterious past as he seeks to reform Rome. If you’re looking for a movie to watch at home, there are lots of great options on streaming services that perfectly capture the holiday vibe, including Home Alone, Elf, Nightmare Before Christmas, and so much more. There are lots of other iconic movies to check out as well, including Dead Poets Society, Little Women, La La Land, and more. 

Ice Skating

If you’re willing to venture out into the (at times, scary and cold) outdoors, ice skating is a fun way to be active and embrace the wintery atmosphere. Bring a friend or two and hit the rink for a couple hours—you won’t regret it! Ice skating is fun for everyone, regardless of your skating experience or ability, and skates are always available for rent. Rinks nearby Tenafly include McKay in Englewood, American Dream, and Palisades Center. There are also pop-up rinks that open sporadically throughout the winter, so make sure to keep a lookout!

Bryant Park

If you haven’t had enough skating yet, Bryant Park in New York City features a large skate rink and a large Christmas tree in the center. Around the park, there are numerous pop-up holiday stores and boutiques, along with great wintery snacks like hot chocolate, doughnuts, and peppermint desserts. If you love the holiday and winter spirit, the Bryant Park Holiday Market is an attraction you can’t miss that’s only open for a couple of months each year. Make sure you check it out before the season ends!

Rockefeller Center

Before coming home from your fun city day, definitely stop by the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and take some pictures in front of the world-renowned lights. Though it may be hard to get tickets to skate on the iconic Rockefeller Center ice skating rink, the 100-foot tree that stands before it is truly the main attraction. People come from all over the world to see the tree and its breathtaking lights, which perfectly capture the holiday spirit. 

Radio City Rockettes

Another showstopping New York City tourist attraction is the Radio City Rockettes. The 90-minute dance show features numerous routines by some of the world’s best dancers, with music and backdrops just as spectacular. Though tickets may be somewhat expensive, the Rockette show is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and they are truly worth the price.

Museums

If you’re still in New York City but want to have a more relaxed day, checking out some of the many museums may be right up your alley. These museums have galleries and displays of all genres—there is truly something for everyone. Popular museum destinations include The Metropolitan Museum of Art, perfect for those with a passion for art history; the American Museum of Natural History, featuring collections of dinosaur fossils; and the Museum of Ice Cream, for those with a sweet tooth!

Window Shopping in NYC

Along with many of the other New York City holiday attractions, the Fifth Avenue stores truly go all out to capture the holiday magic. Each year, companies spend millions of dollars to set up decorations in their windows for tourists and locals alike. Some must-see window setups include Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Raising Canes, Burberry, and so many more. Without spending any money, window shopping on Fifth Avenue is the perfect way to embrace the season and experience the festive charm of New York City.

Overall, don’t worry if you aren’t traveling over this break. There is still much to celebrate —especially the break from school—and so many ways to embrace the holiday season. 

Happy holidays, and enjoy your break!