After winter break, it is hard to stay in good spirits as the colorful bright lights are taken down and the cold drafts persist. However, there is no reason to stay as dreary as the weather, thanks to these fun activities to do all winter long!
Ice Skating
Thanks to the indoor and outdoor rinks around the county, there is always a place to skate your worries away. Whether you are holding onto the wall or doing triple axels, ice skating is an entertaining, albeit difficult, activity to do with friends, family or by yourself. “Although I’m not a skater, I like gliding on the ice. It makes me feel like I’m flying,” an anonymous student said. It is a great activity to both have fun and challenge yourself.
Stay In
Maybe you are not feeling up to brave the snow and ice. Instead, simply curl up in a fluffy blanket at home. You can heat up some popcorn and enjoy an action movie like Die Hard, or a classic comedy like Mean Girls. For the full winter experience, make a small fire or light a candle for maximum comfort and relaxation. “Personally, I’m not a fan of the winter weather, so I like to stay at home. A lot of times, I make some hot chocolate and read a book because it feels so warm,” WHS sophomore Kelly Ji said.
Visit a Garden
Perhaps winter just isn’t your season, especially the miserably low temperatures. Try visiting a garden, like the United States Botanic Garden in Washington DC. It will get you excited for the spring, and maybe even inspire you to take up gardening or plant some new flowers in your yard. Of course, if you are not feeling as adventurous, you can flip through a Home and Gardens magazine for similar effects.
Organize Your Closet
As you get ready for spring, you may notice that there are winter clothes you did not wear all season. Whether they were too small or too big or you just did not like them, go through your closet and donate what you do not want. If it is in very bad condition, just throw it out or repurpose it, like as a cleaning rag. If you so desire, treat yourself to a spring shopping trip to your favorite clothing store. The transition between seasons may be rough, but having the appropriate clothes makes it easier and more comfortable.
Bake or Cook
As you bake a new dish or cook your favorite meal, the oven and stove provide delightful warmth in the dead of winter. Invite some friends over to cook dinner together, or bake cookies after school by yourself. “I love baking in the winter because it has a very cozy feeling to it, and it’s a good way to pass the time. It also allows you to spend quality time with friends and family. Plus, you can eat yummy stuff after,” RMHS sophomore Ryleigh Culligan said. If you are feeling generous, you can share the delicious results with some family or friends, or reward your hard work by eating it yourself!
There is much more to do than even just these ideas, so next time you are feeling particularly down with the icy streets and cloudy skies, treat yourself to a fun activity and lift your spirits a little. Of course, winter is not everyone’s thing, no matter how many fun things there are to do. However, as Percy Shelley once said, “If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” So if all you want is for winter to end, just remember that spring is soon to follow!
Article by Victoria Koretsky of Richard Montgomery High School
Graphic by Sophie Zheng of Cabin John Middle School