• Spend time with family and friends

The holidays are the times that families are forced to come together and spend time with each other, and at the time you might be angry or annoyed about it, but in the end you will be glad that you did.

• Binge watch a new Netflix show

During winter breaks there is always a few days where you have nothing to do, but what you do have is a charged laptop. Why not find your new favorite show, or catch up on an oldie from your childhood. Some to check out this year would be Stranger Things, The Gilmore Girls Revival, One Tree Hill, The Walking Dead, The Office, and Friends.

• Celebrate (whatever holiday)

December is the best time of the year for a reason. No matter what holiday you celebrate this time of year, that holiday is probably taking all your time with preparing, executing, and cleaning up the mess it left.

• Shopping

Last minute holiday shopping is one of the most common ways to spend your break before Christmas. Then, afterwards many stores have post-holiday sales with great markdowns. Plus you often will have gift cards, so that added together can get you a great discount.

• Movie-Time

The weeks during Christmas break are known to be one of the best times to go see movies as some of the best movies come out during that time, bringing in great box office profits. This year’s expected hits will include Moana, Passengers, Rogue One: Star Wars, and Why Him?

• Vacations: Just down the block or across the world

Arguably, the holidays are the worst time to travel due to high costs, and the mess that is the airport, yet people still continue to go on vacation or visit home during the holidays. According to newsroom.aaa.com, 98.6 million Americans traveled last Christmas, and that number grows every year. Many have time off from work or school, leaving the ability to take time off.

• Sporting

December is the prime time for winter sports, especially in Washington since many ski resorts open back up their slopes during this time of year. There are outdoor ice skating rinks, and snow to sled, ski, and snowboard on, creating the perfect recreational environment.

• Baking (The holidays are a crucial time in baking)

This is one of the best past times, especially during the holidays. You can do it with family and friends, and at the end you’ll not only have the experience, you’ll have some sweet treats to indulge in.

• Volunteering

The holiday season is the season of giving, so many donate their time and money to helping out others. Working at a food bank, raising money to buy toys for a children’s hospital, or handing gifts out to underprivileged families are just a few ways to warm the heart’s of people around you and yourself.