by Aelwen Iredale
The weather is colder. Threats of snow without class cancellation hang over us. Finals loom before us. The beautiful fall leaves have gone and left us with barren trees. The sun is hidden behind gray clouds. Seasonal depression is a real burden. Every day is a question of if I want to bundle up and brave the cold to get to friends, classes, and Cowan, or if I want to stay cuddled up in my warm bed.
However, Centre doesn’t stop for anything, not even my general exhaustion, so I have to find motivation to keep going, and the key to surviving winter is to embrace it. You have to find the parts of winter you like, such as the holidays, the way the snow can be beautiful (if cold), and carving out time to enjoy with friends, whether watching a movie or just listening to music while doing schoolwork. There are a myriad of winter activities and media that can warm your heart throughout these months, and if you need some inspiration, here are some ideas for you.
Books:
Still Life by Louise Penny
Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings by Charles Dickens
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Movies:
A Charlie Brown Christmas
The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Nightmare before Christmas
Die Hard
Serendipity
Home Alone (1990)
Miracle on 34th Street
Christmas Vacation
The Holiday
A Christmas Story
White Christmas
How the Grinch stole Christmas
Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer
Music:
“All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey
“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” by Lindsey Stirling ft. Sabrina Carpenter
“Snowman” by Sia
“Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” by Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker
“Christmas Night in Harlem” by Louis Armstrong, Benny Carter
“Christmas in New Orleans” by Louis Armstrong
“Cool Yule” by Louis Armstrong, The Commanders
“‘Zat You, Santa Claus?” by Louise Armstrong, The Commanders
“Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt
“Warmer in the Winter” Album by Lindsey Stirling
The Andy Williams Christmas Album
The Sinatra Christmas Album
“Christmas” Album by Michael Buble
“Merry Christmas” Album by Bing Crosby
The Glorious Sounds of Christmas by the Philadelphia Orchestra (1962)
Activities:
Movie night with friends
Baking
Decorating cookies
Hot chocolate
Secret Santa (with a strict budget for college students)
Caroling
Sledding, if possible