By MAIA KIRK
Staff Writer
With the fall semester of 2021 coming to an end, everyone must be so excited for our winter break! Kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying some stress-free time over break is going to be great. I know that I can’t wait to start binge watching Christmas movies, baking cookies with my mom, baking bread with my grandma, and surprising my family with gifts.
Does anyone else remember being really excited as a kid for those Christmas specials on old school Nickelodeon like, “Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh,” or that Christmas episode of “Spongebob?” Nostalgia, right? If you enjoy watching holiday movies like me, here are some fun, classic movies to set the holiday mood: “A Christmas Story” (1983), “The Santa Clause” (1994), “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989), “Home Alone” (1990), “Edward Scissorhands” (1990), “Elf” (2003), “Gremlins” (1984), “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000),
“Fred Claus” (2007), “The Polar Express” (2004), “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” (1964), “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965), “The Year Without Santa Claus” (1974), “A Christmas Carol” (2009), and “Christmas with the Kranks” (2004). Which one is your favorite?
The holidays are always buzzing with so much excitement. Whether it is excitement about family time, relaxation, cinema, presents, the treats (who doesn’t love a good hot cocoa?), or whatever else it may be, there are so many reasons to get excited. This year, there are many things I hear people are excited to get on Christmas morning–Winter clothes, makeup, money, Nintendo Switches, Xboxes or Playstations, games–the list goes on. However, you can’t forget the things that truly matter during the holidays.
Taking time to appreciate everything around you, such as your accomplishments of this past year, your family, loved ones, goals, happiness, and health are very important. Give yourself a nice break this holiday, you deserve it! You can even set some new goals for yourself for the new year of 2022! Time seems to have gone by so fast this year; does anyone feel the same? I can’t wait to see what the new year has in store for us. I am definitely thinking of writing down some new goals I have in mind for the new year to keep myself motivated; you should do the same! It can help you have things to look forward to, and it can help you stay on track.
If you are looking for some extra cheery holiday fun in the Albany area, there are a few things that are going on. There is ice skating going on downtown (for a pretty cheap price), and of course, the one and only Washington Park is hosting its annual Christmas holiday light show attraction! You can get your tickets online to go to the light show, and if you do, be sure to check out each attraction. All of the lights always look so delicate and pretty. Even just by driving past the park, you really can tell how much effort goes into the whole celebration. I honestly can’t imagine how much time it must take to set it all up, but it is so worth it. I’m definitely hoping to go with my boyfriend before I leave for winter break! I have always wanted to go through the whole park to look at all of those lights. This winter break, I personally just can’t wait to celebrate and relax with my family and boyfriend at home. If you are going home for the holidays, I wish you all safe travels! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Saint Rose!
