There is so much building anticipation in the final months of the year, but as the string of holidays comes to an end, the excitement of winter seems to diminish. However, don’t let the season of slush dampen your spirits. Here are some activities to keep you occupied and out of the winter blues.

Have a relaxing day in. 

Too blizzardy to go outside? Have a relaxing day in. Get cozy under a blanket and binge watch your favorite series. Pick up a book and get hooked on a new series to read throughout winter break. Make a warm drink like hot cocoa, coffee, or tea.Treat yourself with an at home spa day. 

Go Ice skating.

 Ice skating is a fun activity to enjoy with friends on a beautiful but chilly day. Find a well froze over area of Lake Pend Oreille and test your balance and agility. Attempt a few tricks on the ice to impress your buddies–but stay safe of course. You can also go on a little trip to Coeur D’Alene or Spokane to rent ice skates and practice your skills in a contained ice rink. 

Enjoy the snow while it lasts. 

It goes without saying that a winter in Sandpoint is not complete without a hefty layer of snow blanketing every backyard. Even when we experience a late winter, heading up to Schweitzer mountain to brave the slopes is a must. Even when you do not engage in a snow sport you can still enjoy the snow by sledding down the infamous Pine Street Hill or going snowshoeing for a scenic outing.

Set goals for 2020. 

As December starts to come to a close, so does the decade. Reminisce about the memories you made and what the highlights of 2019 were. Also, reflect on the challenges that this year brought and how they’ve made you who you are today. Consider how you can improve your lifestyle, health, personality, and relationships moving forward into 2020. Whether you take mental notes or design a detailed list, set some goals you would like to accomplish, or new habits you would like to try.

Do a digital detox. 

Speaking of creating new habits, try taking a pause from tech for a day, a week, or just a couple hours. It can be easy to get lazy during breaks from school. While, you deserve to give yourself a break, don’t just lie around staring at the blue light for days on end. Try to limit screen time or just the time you spend on certain apps that you could be using that time to do something more productive.

Have a winter photoshoot.

Taking photos with a friend or a group of friends is always a fun time. Going on the hunt for appealing locations is a good excuse to get outside or go downtown and explore Sandpoint. At the end of the day, you will have made some great memories to wrap up the year and took plenty of photos to add to your Instagram page.

Downtown Shopping. 

Head to Main Street to explore downtown with your friends or family. Go for a walk beside the light up trees lining the streets that create a cheery and festive environment. Go window shopping and visit businesses even after your Christmas shopping is done. Also, indulging in the wide variety of cuisine of downtown restaurants is essential for the full Sandpoint experience.