From baking to adrenaline sports, winter is a season that offers various activities for various tastes. Whether it’s by yourself, with friends, planned or spontaneous, winter and spring break is one of the best times of the year to just enjoy life. With winter break right around the corner for staff and students, here are some activities to keep you busy and having fun while you’re off from school and work.

5. Have a Bonfire and Do Some Stargazing

Experience the magic of a winter bonfire and stargazing for a cozy and mesmerizing time. Imagine being with friends or that someone special, wrapped up against the cold, sharing stories around the warm flames. Take a break, enjoy the simplicity, and let the winter night unfold its beauty. It’s a heartwarming experience that will leave you with cherished memories and a deep appreciation for the serene charm of winter nights.

4. Go Snowboarding or Skiing

If you can afford it or already indulge in it, snowboarding is the best way to spend your break for a copious amount of reasons. Imagine all the photos and videos you take, or something to make you stand out from the crowd to colleges. Not everyone in New York snowboards, so it might be a new experience for most. Although it’s preferable to be new, as the new experiences are hard to make now.  For some, they are caught up focusing on college, jobs, or extracurriculars. Take advantage of the break, make new experiences.

3. Plan a “Secret Santa” Party

Even if Christmas isn’t all about presents, some of us—although grateful—get disappointed by something they receive. As students in New York, one can imagine how the cost of nearly anything here is typically expensive by nature. This means not everyone can buy what they want for everyone, and usually have to stretch money. I think with a high enough budget agreement, Secret Santa might make certain people more appreciative during the holidays. Get a group of friends together and stick to a budget, make it a fun event by throwing a little party where you swap your gifts.

2. Bake Some Treats

Warm up your home and your heart with some good food. Again, whether by yourself or with loved ones, baking some winter goods really heals your soul. It just gives you a sense of euphoria and holiday spirit. It doesn’t have to be Thanksgiving 2.0, just experiment with something you never baked before or if you baked everything you can imagine, bake your personal favorite, and treat yourself.

1. Host a Cozy Movie Night

There’s always been this charm or aesthetic to simply sitting down with no upcoming assignments to do and indulging in a good movie. Whether it’s by yourself or with friends and family, movies are a great way for people to just unwind and relax. During winter any movie feels more enjoyable, a holiday classic, blockbuster, or just a simple film with a generic plot. Prepare a clean warm area, get some comfort food, maybe even make a pillow fort and let the cinematic experience begin.