This winter season can not be celebrated the same way as previous years, but there are still tons of different ways to get some holiday cheer, and be in the holiday spirit!

1) Watch Christmas movies

This is a classic way to get into the holiday spirit. Cozying up with a hot chocolate and blanket with your family by your side is a great way to celebrate. There’s tons of movie selections, from Elf to The Polar Express and to a newer holiday movie like Last Christmas. There are infinite Christmas movies and TV shows to binge for this season, like Dash and Lily.

2) Bake 

Not only can you bake a classic recipe like gingerbread cookies, you can also bake a whole variety of sweets to show off your spirit. Such as brownies, muffins, cookies, cakes, and so much more. After you make them you can decorate them as cute reindeer, snowmen, or even a Christmas tree! The possibilities are endless, and you get to have a sweet treat when you finish. 

3) Make gingerbread houses

You can make gingerbread houses from scratch, or you can just buy a typical gingerbread kit. This is something you can do by your family’s side and release your inner artist. You don’t even have to use gingerbread to make your house. You can go with handy graham crackers which work just as well.

4) Play in the snow

Luckily, we’ve already had a bit of a white Christmas so release your inner child and go crazy. Go build a snowman, make snow angels, have a snowball fight and go sledding. Afterwards, when you’re all cold and frozen, snuggle up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate.

5) Go to the DC Party Box and WILLCO drive-in movie theater

DC Party Box and WILLCO will be showing numerous Christmas movies for a chance to venture outside in the comfort of your own car. They will show movies such as A Christmas Story, The Santa Clause, and Miracle on 34th Street. Customers can buy tickets online, and drive up and enjoy a holiday movie.

6) Attend the Winter Lights Festival

Take a drive past more than 450 illuminated displays and trees throughout Seneca Creek Park. It’s a 3.5 mile long drive past hundreds of lighted exhibits while listening to holiday music and drinking hot cocoa (as recommended). Bringing your own snacks and drinks are encouraged. You can buy tickets only online, as they will not be sold in person. 

7) Make ugly holiday sweaters

This is not about making a cute sweater to show to your art teacher, it’s about making a very cheesy and mildly disturbing holiday sweater to make all of your friends and family cringe. You can do this with materials in the house: just a plain old sweater, glitter and anything else you might want on it! After, you can take a perfect picture for your holiday card showcasing your new sweaters.

8) Dress up as your favorite characters with your family

There are, quite literally, millions of fictional characters that you can choose to dress up as. It doesn’t even have to be holiday themed, you can dress up as a superhero, a villain, or a Disney princess. At the end, you can all decide who was the best dressed in your family. 

9) Make your own snowflakes

All you need is a pair of scissors and paper to make your own snowflake. From there, just chop the paper away to create your own unique snowflake. Play some holiday music in the back and begin making your endless amounts of snowflakes.

10) Decorate your house

Last but not least, you can stick with the old fashioned trend of simply decorating your house for the holidays. Put up a some snowflakes, Christmas lights, and a few nutcrackers. Maybe even get a giant inflatable snowman (or Batman) to show your neighbors who truly has the best decorations in the neighborhood.