Looking for Holiday themed events to destress for finals and to enjoy the end of the semester? Make your “Santa-tastic” dreams come true with this list of festive fun!

1. Holiday Lights on The Lake: Come to Lakemont, located about 10 minutes away from campus, to drive through this spectacular light display! This year, Lakemont is celebrating 25 years of this event. For tickets and more information, visit http://lakemontparkfun.com/holiday-lights-on-the-lake/

   

2. The Santa Express: All aboard for a wintery train ride with breathtaking views! Located in Hollidaysburg, the Everett Railroad’s ritual of a Christmas train ride is back. The ride includes a visit with Santa, for those who still believe, and hot cocoa with cookies. For dates and tickets, visit https://everettrailroad.com/santa-express-trains/.
3. Christmas Lights: Take a simple drive around Altoona to see lots of beautiful home light displays. Many people around the area love to decorate for the holidays, so you’re sure to see gorgeous set-ups!
4. Christmas Movie Marathon: Host a Christmas movie marathon with your close friends. Make yummy hot chocolate and reindeer chow to enjoy a cozy night in. To get you started, my favorite Christmas movies are Elf, Christmas with The Kranks, and Rudolph. For a reindeer chow recipe, visit https://www.erinliveswhole.com/reindeer-chow/.
5. Ice Skating: Visit Galactic Ice Rink for some fun ice skating. If you time your visit right, you might see some hockey going on! For more information and pricing, visit http://galacticicerink.org/.

   

6. Visit Greenbean Coffeehouse: Greenbean, located very close to campus, has brought back their holiday drinks for the year. They currently have peppermint hot chocolate, eggnog lattes, red velvet lattes, and peppermint mochas! Hurry before these limited-time drinks are gone for another year. For more info, visit their website https://gbcoffeehouse.com/.
7. Christmas Tattoos: Celebrate your love for the holidays permanently. From now until Christmas, Railroad City Tattoo, located close to campus, is having a deal on gift certificates. For every $100 you spend, you get $20 free bucks. For more info, visit Railroad’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/customskinarttattoos.
8. Secret Santa: Do a Secret Santa with a group of friends! Set a budget and date for exchanging your gifts. This is a quick and easy way to get together before the holidays. For ideas, visit https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/g34436292/secret-santa-gifts/.
9. Christmas Cookie Decorating: Sponsored by the Student Initiated Fee (SIF), come to Slep on December 8^th to decorate Christmas cookies. Relax and enjoy some holiday music to destress before finals week! Make sure you register at https://connect.altoona.psu.edu/CAB/rsvp_boot?id=1372612.
10. Create a New Year’s Resolution List: Make a resolution list that you will actually complete. The worst part of a New Year’s list is the fact that you never follow through with any of it. Make them easy, fun, and useful! For advice on making your list, visit https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2016/01/03/making-new-years-resolutions-stick/.