Winter break is almost here and the fun holiday festivities will begin! Here are a few fun ideas for activities you can do this holiday season!

Have a movie marathon

It’s important to take a moment and take some time for oneself to do self-care. One way of doing that is by having a movie marathon. Whether you’re watching your favorite movies, holiday movies, or both, grabbing a blanket, some hot chocolate with marshmallows, and enjoying a great movie can be a lot of fun especially with the winter weather.

Bake cookies and cook a holiday meal

While watching a movie, you might want a snack. Try baking cookies! Baking or cooking a holiday meal can be a fun activity you do either by yourself or with friends. Be sure to visit the Davis Farmers Market or The Pantry for fresh food. Try out some of these budget-friendly holiday recipe ideas from SNAP-Ed!

Go to a museum

Some museums offer free admission to students or a student discount. A few examples are:

• The Design Museum, located at Cruess Hall, 375 California Ave, Davis, CA 95616, offers free admission. Parking is available at $9 all day on weekdays and free on weekends. For more information, visit The Design Museum.
• The Haven, located next to the Harry H. Laidlaw, Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility on Bee Biology Road in Davis, is an outdoor museum that offers free self-guided tours. General guided tours are also available at $8 per person. Limited parking and bike racks are available for free. For more information visit The Haven.
• The California Raptor Center, located on 1340 Equine Lane, Davis, CA 95616, offers free self-guided tours. For more information visit the California Raptor Center.

Take a day trip to the Bay Area

Want to take a trip outside of Davis? Catch a ride on the Davis-Berkeley shuttle. UC Davis and UC Berkeley faculty, staff, and registered students are eligible to purchase a ticket for a $15 one-way fare to take a shuttle from Davis to Berkeley or vice versa. Equipped with Wifi and USB ports to charge your phone while on the go. For more information visit Davis-Berkeley Shuttle.

Have a Self-Care Day

Taking a day to yourself is always a great thing to do. Take this day to do something you enjoy, whether that's watching your favorite shows, spending time with friends, going for a walk, sleeping in, etc. Taking some time for yourself can help immensely with staying centered and focused and energized for this holiday season.

Volunteer or Donate to Charity

It’s always nice to be able to spread the holiday cheer in any way possible. Try looking into organizations near you that may have volunteering or donation opportunities available. In the end, doing something fun this holiday season does not have to be extravagant nor does it need to negatively impact your budget. These are just a few examples of fun things to do this holiday season and there are definitely many more budget-friendly activities that can be done!