This year, we have almost six weeks of winter recess. During finals week, it often feels like those weeks will be the most peaceful, perfect break from school. But after the holidays, things start to slow down, and it is easy to find yourself with nothing to do. When everyone returns to school, while your friends brag about their trips to the Gold Coast and Paris, the only thing you have to boast about is spending 14 consecutive hours on Instagram Reels. For this winter break, we have provided you with a range of budget-friendly alternatives to keep you busy.
New Year, New You
“Wow! She looks great. What happened over winter break?” “Gosh, he is handsome. That winter break glow-up sure is something!” “I wish I looked like her, she is so stunning!” “Will he marry me?”
This is what people will say about you, too—if you use your winter break wisely. Every year, people create New Year’s resolutions hoping to become the person they’ve always dreamed they could be. Instead of waiting until Jan. 1, get a head start and begin your self-care journey while you are home for break.
Sometimes, being superficial is fun. It can be a new skincare routine, a hair regimen, a workout plan, or a revamped wardrobe. And no, these self-care plans do not need to be expensive. Refreshing your wardrobe, for example, can be fun and done on a budget. Check out your local thrift store for an abundance of clothing options, most under 10 dollars. Pro tip: the coat section at Goodwill is a great place to look in preparation for the winter months at Harvard. Thrifting is a great opportunity to explore your personal style with low risk.
But mental self-care is just as important as physical self-care. Make sure to focus on both your outer and inner well-being: read a novel, start a journal, draw, paint, or meditate. Often, if you take good care of your brain, your body will follow. Come back to school on Jan. 27 with some new knowledge and insights to share! Six weeks is plenty of time to make the positive changes you want to see in your life.
Movie Marathon
While an abrupt transition from self-care, a movie marathon is a classic way to kill time over winter break. Before you leave campus, write up a list of movies you have always wanted to see or movies you have been dying to rewatch. These can be classic films, like Casablanca, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Pulp Fiction, or you can finally get around to seeing Kung Fu Panda 4. The Harry Potter film series has been viewed 1.3 billion times, and you could make that number even larger.
Watching movies can be a solitary activity done on your laptop while in bed or a bonding activity with friends and family. Cook up some popcorn and cozy up on the couch with some blankets. You could even ask your hometown crush on a date to see Wicked or Moana 2 at a movie theater.
During the school year, finding two free hours to watch a movie is more difficult than it may seem. Take the time this winter break to catch up on all of the pop culture and entertainment you have missed because you were busy writing that Justice paper.
Declutter
Winter break is the perfect opportunity to refresh your space and your mind by decluttering. Imagine returning to school in January feeling like Marie Kondo. Nothing can stop you!
Start by tackling your bedroom at home. Go through your closet and part ways with those jeans you haven’t worn since high school. Donate what you can to your local thrift store. While you are at it, sort through your desk drawers, bookshelves, and any mystery bins hiding under your bed. You might even stumble upon something valuable, like a childhood diary or a missing AirPod.
Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to organize. Invest in some storage bins or repurpose old shoe boxes to keep everything neat. Label them if you’re feeling ambitious. Create a “back-to-school” pile with essentials like your favorite sweaters, jeans, and that one outfit you keep waiting for an opportunity to wear. You will be ready to hit the ground running when spring semester rolls around.
Decluttering can clear both your physical space and your mind. Come back to school with a lighter load—both literally and figuratively—and maybe even inspire your roommates to do the same.
Become a Tourist
Winter break is your chance to see your hometown through fresh eyes. Being a tourist in your own city can be surprisingly fun. Start by checking out the spots you have always overlooked. That tiny museum you pass every day but have never gone into? Now is the time. Look up local historical landmarks, nature trails, or even quirky roadside attractions. It does not have to be flashy to be fun.
Make it a culinary adventure too. Search for the best hot chocolate in town, or try a new cuisine at a restaurant you have never visited. You might be surprised at how much more of your hometown there is to discover. (But if you live in Monowi, Nebraska (population: 1), maybe this is not the suggestion for you.)
Road Trip
A road trip is the perfect way to cure your winter break restlessness without draining your wallet. You can keep yourself busy while feeling like you are in the middle of a coming-of-age indie film. This suggestion requires access to a car. If you do not have that, consider a Zip Car, which is a (relatively) affordable option for a day trip.
Start by rounding up a few friends and picking a destination within a few hours of home. Think small towns, scenic state parks, or a cool coffee shop that is just out of reach. No need for anything extravagant—a change of scenery can be all you need to shake off the winter blues.
Plan ahead, but not too much. Road trips are about the journey, not just the destination. Build in time to stop at odd roadside attractions, thrift stores, or anywhere that piques your interest.
Keep it budget-friendly by packing your own snacks and drinks. Make sure to prepare a playlist or a podcast that will keep you entertained throughout the drive. When you get back, you’ll have a camera roll full of pictures and plenty of stories to tell.
Whether you spend your winter break staying in luxury hotels and traveling to exotic destinations, or staying in your hometown arguing with your siblings, we hope you get some quality rest and relaxation.
Natalie Frank ’27 (nfrank@college.harvard.edu) will probably spend her winter break scrolling on Instagram Reels and napping.