Known for multi-season Netflix binges, low personal grooming standards and subsistence off chocolate and leftover Christmas cookies, even the best-lived year can come to an anticlimactic end during the days between Christmas and New Year’s. If you’re looking to use the last of 2015 well, consider one or more of these ideas:
Cook something. With a few extra lazy days on your hands, you can try a new recipe, teach your kids some easy classics or make an old favorite that takes more time than you usually have on hand. If you’re socially inclined, prepare a breakfast feast and host a pajama party with friends.
Clean one thing out. Go through your wardrobe and clean out what you don’t (or shouldn’t) wear, tackle the hallway closet that you can barely shut or sort through a box of sentimental items. Or go the digital route and clean up this year’s photos, emails and documents from your computer, phone or cloud. Even if more than one of these needs to be done, just pick one -- for now.
Try a new look. Rearrange a room, shuffle your wall decor or paint the walls, if you’ve got the inclination. Or you can try a new look on yourself: cut or color your hair, buy a new shirt at a post-Christmas sale, pick out a new shade of lipstick -- or maybe just try combing your hair if that’s new to your hygiene routine.
Read a book. If you’re among those who reminisce about the days when you used to read for fun, now’s as good a time as any. If you don’t have a stack of ideas already on your shelf, find a “best books of 2015” list online for ideas and head to the bookstore or library -- or download a digital copy.
Fix one thing. There’s at least one thing on your fix-it list right now -- a dripping faucet, a broken toy that needs to be glued, a rip that needs to be mended. Pick one and get it done. Only do another if you feel like it.
Connect with friends. Host a game night, leftovers potluck, gift swap or movie night. Don’t live near the ones you love? Connect with them with a quick phone or video call.
Go outside. Sledding is the quintessential winter break activity and while you may not have a white Christmas, you’re sure to find snow at higher elevations. If you prefer to stay nearby, get your chill fix on a local ice rink. If slipping and sliding isn’t your thing, find some trails and go for a hike or try snowshoeing.
Build a fort. They might be typically associated with the younger set, but there’s no rules about age when it comes to building a fort with blankets, chairs and couches. If your creation is big enough, eat a meal, watch a movie or spend the night in it. Or set up a real tent inside and “camp” for a night.
Try a new restaurant. Maybe there’s a type of food you’ve yet to sample or some place you keep hearing about but haven’t gotten around to trying -- why not go for it now? If your budget is tight, go for lunch, dessert or a drink. If trying someplace new place sounds too daring, go for something new at an old favorite spot.
Watch a movie. Sure, you were going to do this anyway, but we put it on the list so you can feel a sense of accomplishment when you do.
