At the start of the year, everything feels new — people, friends and routines. In the midst of this, simple traditions can become motivation for the season, or even just the week, that guide you through the semester. Not every tradition has to be handed down from generations of families or other students. Sometimes, the best ones are the ones we create ourselves. Here are 10 things you can do to spice up this holiday season from your own dorm.
- Friendsgiving: While this is a classic and overdone activity, the memories from a warm, extravagant dinner with your friends will last for years. Instead of the traditional holiday feast, try spicing up the night with foods from everyone’s own family traditions or cultural backgrounds.
- Gratitude jar: Sometimes, the chaos of college can leave you questioning every aspect of your life. Gratitude jars are a way to refocus and put things into perspective. Spend the season of gratefulness reflecting on the little moments of the semester that made the year memorable!
- Decoration night: For my family, the day after Thanksgiving is when we decorate for Christmas. From stringing lights across every bare wall to setting up a tiny plastic tree in the corner of my bedroom, decorating is an amazing way to kick-off the season. Including some friends in this can make for a lively and wonderful night, with blasting music and, of course, lots of food!
- Holiday movie marathon: Write down your favorite movies, throw them in a hat and watch a new movie every weekend. This is a fun way to make sure you get in all your holiday favorites, like “Elf” and “The Grinch.”
- Christmas karaoke night: What better way to ring in the Christmas spirit than with Christmas music? Drink hot cocoa and sing in your pajamas. Keeping an open dorm room can be a way to invite other students and spread the tradition.
- Holiday cards: Nothing screams Christmas like making a holiday card with your friends and roommates. It is a great way to reconnect with loved ones far away and makes for a super crafty DIY project. With simple paper and stickers and printed pictures, this activity can become a fun holiday tradition.
- Finals countdown advent calendar: One of the best things about the holidays is the break from school. An advent calendar is a fun way to count down those days, filled with candy and motivational messages to power through finals season.
- Yankee Swap: It is so much fun to give during the season of giving, but it can be even more fun to fight over the gifts. Organize a Yankee Swap game with the people around you with fun presents. Set a price point, dish out the gifts and fight over them in a ravenous holiday game.
- Stockings in the commons: Hanging stockings in the common area of your dorm or apartment is an amazing way to gift little treats to those around you. Getting candy, holiday cards and tiny collectibles are a fun secret-Santa-esque way to surprise your roommates before Christmas break.
- Study session: Spend the last nights of the semester studying with your friends in comfy pajamas, sipping hot cocoa or coffee and playing light jazz as study music.
As Christmas scurries around the corner and New Year’s is just a blink away, these 10 exciting new traditions can help you stay motivated and make lasting memories through your college years.