Festive festivities on a college student’s budget: The wintertime guide to going out.

By Melissa Anderson-McDonald, CHC '14

It may not officially be winter just yet, but with dropping temperatures and with Christmas just a few weeks away, it's never too early to plan your winter festivities. Many people choose to stay inside instead of braving the wind and icy temperatures, most notably after dark. But the truth is, it's never too cold to have fun. So get out and do something fun or stay in if you must - just don’t be caught doing nothing with so much going on this season!


Christmas in Peddler's Village:
•       Shopping? many unique stores where you can find the perfect gift.
•       Perfect date night or group activity? Get a cup of coffee, make a gingerbread house, or admire the decorations in Philly.

Check out Macy's pretty lights:
•       Macy’s light show is not only free, but it’s also visually exciting! Bring the whole family!

New Year's festivities:
•       Keep it simple, keep it local with a fireworks show
•       Even if you have big plans for later, you can go to the Early Show at 6, and hey, it’s free! Yay something free.
•       You can watch the fireworks from Penn’s landing river or while ice-skating at River Rink.


Make your boyfriend fall in love with you:

What boy doesn’t love cars?  The annual auto show is most likely your boyfriend’s dream date, if he
hasn’t said I love you yet, he will after this:
•       Cons? It can be a bit pricey.
•       Pros:
    1.      Cool designs
    2.      Futuristic cars,
    3.      You can play in the cars, take pictures and tweet that you got a new BMW convertible . your friends will be so jealous.
    4.      If you’ve yet to hear those 3 magic words, this may be the event that makes him fall desperately in love with you.

Grab your friends and go Ice Skating:
•  Only $22 on Friday and Saturday nights including admission, skate rental and parking. What a steal!

Feeling adventurous? NYC is only an 80 minute train ride when you hop upon the NJ Transit Express. Plan your trip now! While you're there, take a visit to Bryant Park!

Sports are always in season:
•       Why not go to a flyer’s game? It’s never too late to jump on the bandwagon: order your tickets on the phone so you don’t get hit with processing fees. Cheapest tickets $46. Note: not a sport event for those faint of heart.
•       Check out a basketball game! Click for the 76ers' schedule.
•       Why not hit the slopes? Plan the ultimate day trip with this planner!
•       Take a trip to the Mountains! Just a 2 hour drive north in the Poconos

If you really can’t afford to go out and must stay in, it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun (duh!)

From Google Images

•       Invite your friends over to watch some classic winter movies:  A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, or The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and whip up some hot chocolate to drink while you watch from the sofa. Here's a list of the top 25 Christmas movies.

•       Have a gingerbread house-making contest. All you need is a quick trip to your local grocery store. Some gingerbread ideas.

•       Get out your oven mitts and bake something new. With the holidays come tons of new and exciting recipes as well as tried and true favorites. Why not bake up something tasty to eat? Try these recipes!

•       Get out that construction paper and your safety scissors, and make decorations for the house, family, or friends with these ideas.


The Holidays can never be dull with so much to do. Whether you choose to venture out into the cold or stay inside by the fire, there is plenty for you to do. This holiday season you won’t be able to say, I’m so bored, what can I do today? No excuses for sitting around doing nothing this year!