Next week is Christmas! This means no school for the kids, winter vacation for college students, and many of us grown ups have at least part if not the whole week off from work. What are your favorite things to do on holiday break? In no particular order here are our favorite 5 things to do this winter break!
1. Decorate! There are so many reasons why this week is one of the best times to roll up your sleeves and tackle a DIY home decor project! If you are anything like us, you have spent the whole year ogling Pinterest and dreaming over HGTV. Well the year is almost over and it’s time to bring some of that inspiration to life! Use this time, the last week of the year, to give your own home a stylish update. Using your time for a creative project launches you into the New year with a sense of rejuvenation and pride about your surroundings! This doesn’t mean you have to tear out the kitchen cabinets or build a roof deck! Set a reasonable goal, like revamping your work space or turning a blank wall into a beautiful focal point and work from there.
2. Organize Photos. In the digital age it seems like we take more photos than ever, yet we have less and less time to do anything with them all. Take stock of your year’s images and make sure that you will be able to enjoy all of these beautiful memories forever. Upload all of the images from your phone, back up photos on memory sticks or discs, and categorize your folders of pictures into a system that will make it easier for you to find them later. This is also a brilliant time to print out some of your favorites from the year and make an album, frame some for the wall, and gift them to our friends and loved ones.
image via frauleinschlegelmilch.blogspot
3. Cook. The holiday season, and the whole year, really, can seem like a whirlwind of non-stop activities, appointments, gatherings, shopping, errands, commuting and so much more. While we have to eat every day, we do not always get the time to linger over a recipe, or bake something from scratch. Try out a new recipe, or spend an afternoon whipping up something spectacular, just because you can! Then enjoy your delicious concoction with some of your favorite people. This is also a great project to do at home with kids, or as a couple.
4. Call Your Loved Ones. These days, in many situations, texts, emails and social media have taken over the communication lines. We find out about everything from a friends broken leg to whether your cousin is having a girl or a boy baby from Facebook. An actual phone call can be rare, especially one that lasts more than 5 minutes! Use this time around the holidays to reach out and catch up with family and friends. They will be delighted to hear from you!
5. Get out & enjoy your community! No matter where you live, chances are there are fun things going on this week! Find out about yoga classes at nearby studios, explore your closest library, spend the afternoon looking in local shops and art galleries, or go ice skating at a neighborhood rink or pond. You don’t have to plan a 3 ring circus or book an extravagant getaway! Explore your own city or town and finally take the time to get to some of those places you have been noticing throughout the year.
How are you doing on your holiday shopping? While some go-getters may already be done, and others havent even started, many of us still have at least a few people on our lists to shop for. Stocking stuffers are some of the most fun gifts to get and can be as simple as an orange or as unexpected as a sweet piece of jewelry. While nobody is entirely sure how the tradition of hanging stockings up on the mantel for Santa began, here is the legend that we heard: A long, long time ago, a very poor father had three beautiful daughters. He was worried that he would not have enough money to ensure that they would could be married, and feared for their futures. St. Nicholas happened to be passing through the village and got wind of the old man’s woes. He waited until night and then tossed gold coins through the man’s window, filling up the socks that the man and his daughters had hung by the fire to dry. They were surprised and overjoyed in the morning to find their stocking filled with gold, and they girls were able to get married and lived happily ever after. While we may never know exactly how the tradition came about, we love it! Aside from having to be small enough to fit in the stocking, there are no rules to stocking gift etiquette. Some families have traditions, like toys, candy or toothbrushes. We hope nobody ever gets coal in theirs! Here is our round up of gifts from WallPops that would be absolutely delightful stocking stuffer gift ideas & Don’t forget that you can save 20% on the whole website with 
