Despite the holiday season being the “happiest time of the year”, it tends to be a time where people are more tired, lose motivation, and even suffer from seasonal depression. In order to keep spirits up, I have generated this list of activities to do throughout this winter season.
According to Harvard T.H. CHAN School of Public Health, spending time outside has been shown to improve both physical and mental health. My favorite outdoor activity in the winter is Snowport in Seaport, Boston, with no fee upon entry (100 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02210). Snowport is a winter village with shops, food, festive decor, and a holiday ambiance that brings everyone together.
Another outdoor activity you can do this winter season is go skating at one of the many outdoor rinks throughout the Boston metro area. An outdoor rink that puts me in the holiday spirit every year is the frozen Frogpond in Boston (38 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108), which is a $10 + skate rental. There are lights strung through the trees to light up the rink as people hit the ice.
While being outside and enjoying the fresh air is a great way to enjoy others’ company, it often is too cold outside. An activity that I have gone to every year is the Urban Nutcracker at the Shubert Theater (265 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116), where tickets start around $35. As many know, the Nutcracker is a beautiful story told through the dance form of ballet. The Urban Nutcracker is the same story, told through many styles of dance such as urban tap, hip hop, swing, flamenco, step, jazz, and of course ballet. The Urban Nutcracker does an amazing job of interpreting a diverse range of dance forms while keeping the classic Nutcracker’s passion and energy.
What’s the holiday season without festive food? L.A. Burdicks Chocolate, located in Boston and Cambridge MA (220 Clarendon St, Boston, MA 02116 or 52 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138), is known for their wide variety of hot chocolate flavors with a wide price range of $28-$152.
For those who are missing summer, a colder treat is ice cream at the Museum of Ice Cream in Seaport (121 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02210) us opening on December 11. The Museum is a place to learn about ice cream’s history, enjoy sweet snacks, and even play in a ball pit of fake sprinkles.
I hope you enjoy my ideas to bring the holiday spirit or even just get out with your friends and family this winter season!!
Photo: Dana Hall students at Snowport.