There are so many ways to spread cheer this holiday season. With all the activities around campus and the many opportunities off campus, you can make the most of the season. It doesn’t matter what holiday you celebrate, there is something for everyone. 

Some of my favorite activities include decorating my 6-foot Christmas tree and annually painting ornaments with my best friends. We usually put on holiday songs or movies and let the smell of pine fill the air.

When I’m alone I love to watch Christmas movies. I have a list of about 40 movies on my phone and it only grows as the years go on. There could be days when all I do is watch movie after movie. I also love a good cup of hot chocolate. There’s nothing like those mini marshmallows to really get you into the holiday spirit. 

There are also many events on campus from the Multicultural Leadership and Development Center’s Holiday Warm Up event, which highlights different celebrations, or Programming Board’s Winter Wonderland which includes many different holiday activities to keep students entertained.

Winter Wonderland is my favorite event of the year. I have gone every year since I’ve been at FGCU and I have yet to be disappointed. From the pictures in the snow globes to the inflatable games, there’s truly something for everyone.

Another fun holiday activity is building gingerbread houses. Five Below has kits for $5 and they have so many different kinds from double houses to Hershey’s houses. I personally have yet to build one, but I bought one this year so I’m excited to see how it goes. I also love baking cookies and decorating them. It used to be a family tradition of mine but I can’t bake so I mainly just decorated. Now you can buy pre-made cookies that come with icing and sprinkles so you can still have the same amount of fun even if you’re not the best in the kitchen like me or if you don’t have the time.

Arts and crafts are also a fun way to get in the spirit. You can paint snowflakes, make red and green paper chains or even decorate ornaments. That can also extend to decorating your dorm room or your apartment. You can never have too many decorations in my opinion.

There are also lots of activities you can do with friends or family. You can go to an ice-skating rink, go caroling, attend a holiday production or even take a Christmas lights tour. You’re also never too old to visit Santa. You can even sit by a bonfire and roast some marshmallows, we even have a fire pit in North Lake Village, if you don’t particularly want to leave campus. 

I know living in Florida we may not get a chance to see real snow, but there are many experiences this time of year that gives us the opportunity to see fake snow. The point is, many things can get you in the holiday spirit so spread the joy and have some fun.