Winter break is one of the most coveted free times of winter, as it is the final time for a break before midterms. The week feels like it’s over in a blink of an eye, but there is so much to do. With the nine days of freedom from school, pick up some new hobbies or explore various activities to relax.

1. Taking a Walk

Even simple things can come with great rewards. Taking a walk raises dopamine levels, which makes you happy, and relieved. Get a breath of fresh air while taking a break from screens. A very parent-like thing to say, but it is true. Bundle up to stay warm! Some trails near Westford are the Tom Paul Trail and the Bruce Freeman Trail.

2. Baking Holiday Treats

Baking holiday treats of your choice can be a fun activity to do with friends and family. Ingredients for baking holiday treats can be purchased at Market Basket, the local supermarket, or other stores that carry baking ingredients. For some recipes, the link can be found here. Share the result with family and friends.

3. Making Paper Snowflakes

This is a fun activity to do with younger siblings as it is very easy to execute. All you need are some pieces of paper, scissors, and either glue or tape. Follow this tutorial to create your very own snowflake! This can be hung outside on the door or inside as a festive winter decoration.

4. Watching a Movie/Show

Watching a movie or show is a fun activity to do with friends and family. Wrap yourself in blankets and get cozy to watch a wintertime favorite of your choosing! Movies can be accessed through a subscription service or DVDs can be rented at your local RedBox or the J.V. Fletcher Library. Some classic festive movies are the Elf, Home Alone, and The Grinch.

5. Read a New Book

A fun way to get out of your comfort zone is to read a book you would have never chosen on your own. Pick an aisle in the library/bookstore, and close your eyes while walking down the row. Count to five while walking and then stop. The book directly in front of is the next book that should be read. Try this out and read a new genre of books that might not have been chosen on a normal day. Some popular YA books are Caraval by Stephanie Garber, One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus, and Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi.

6. Go Ice-Skating

Ice skating is a classing wintertime activity to do with family and friends. The nearest rinks to Westford are the Chelmsford Forum and the Conway Arena. Rent some skates and skate to your heart’s content! A fun activity for all ages, no matter skill level.

7. Go to Boston

                                                                                       (Elizabeth Lizzie)

Take the train to Boston and walk around in the streets. There are many hidden gems of stores and other things that can be found in the city. Take your friends along for the ride and have a blast touring. Some things that can be done in Boston are ice-skating, walking the Freedom Trail, and admiring the view from the Prudential Skywalk Observatory. The train tickets to Boston are about $10 but there is also the option to travel by car.

8. Skiing/Snowboarding

Head out to Nashoba Valley Ski Area to ski or snowboard over winter break. Rentals are open so go with friends or family to have a blast going down the various mountains. There is a wide range of places to ski/snowboard, ranging from bunny hills for leaners to Black Diamond trails for experienced people. Classes are also open for people who would like to learn how to ski/snowboard in a class format.

9. Create a Scrapbook

The 2010’s decade will come to a close with January 1st, so create a scrapbook to reflect over this year or the decade in general. Supplies needed are a scrapbook, pictures of things to put into the scrapbook, scissors, glue, and if you want to get fancy, some patterned paper. All of these items can be found at JOANN’s or Michaels. A fun activity to do with family and friends to reflect on past experiences and remember the good old days.

10. Hanging out with friends

Gather some friends and go somewhere! Or not, you could stay online. Communicate with your friends over break and have a blast doing whatever you like with each other. Create memories with your friends and strong bonds of friendship. Get to know one another better through friendship bonding activities, such as baking, scrapbooking, decorating, and more. 

Having fun over winter break is a must, especially to destress before midterms in January. Plenty of things can be done over break to have a lot of fun, either alone or with friends and family.