The inevitable month of the year, December, has arrived. High school and college students begin to alternately stress and get excited because, yes, December means end of year exams, but it also means winter break!

In light of this, here are some fun activities and suggestions for you all to do with your friends and family to celebrate the end of another year!

Buy a Christmas tree with your family or friends and then decorate it together.

Pick out the ornaments you want, and one day just spend the whole night decorating. It’s a fun process because each person gets to pick their individual ornaments and spend quality bonding time with their loved ones while decorating a Christmas tree. Make sure to take a group photo after you’re done to celebrate the memory. This is just one fun activity out of many that you can do with your family and friends.

If you’re into fashion, hit up Tumblr or your preferred fashion guru and check out some of the latest winter trends.

Take your newfound fashionista knowledge and go shopping with your mom or best friends to pick out some cute clothes together! I can tell you right off the bat that flannels are so comfortable, and I — a native Angelino — finally understand why they are all the rage.  Besides, there are always going to be a few really good discounts at select stores during the holiday season as shops begin to clean out stock and prepare for new merchandise in the new year.

If you’re into cooking or baking, find some delicious recipes that you and your family can try together!

I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite parts of the holiday season is eating all of the sweet treats and desserts that come with celebrations! Desserts — such as peppermint brownies — are definitely one of the best parts of the holiday season. Don’t stress about whether or not it’ll turn out successful; just have fun in the process. Plus, if you do like the way the recipe turns out, now you have one that you can constantly refer to in the upcoming years.

Get together with your family or your friends and plan a fun trip together!

Winter break is an ideal time to travel and explore new locations. Some, like high school seniors, will utilize this time to go visit colleges that they’ve been admitted to already. Grab a map of the world and randomly pick a location to try out. Travel has to be one of the best ways to gain more cultural awareness as you expose yourself to a different world. Besides, no matter where you are during the holiday season, each place always has some cool traditions that are unique to them. You can also go to a candy shop and try to search for peppermint bark (one of my personal favorites) to have during the holiday season.

Get into the comfy, cozy, family, winter vibe

You can love winter or hate it, but watching the snow fall or zipping down the slopes with the wind blowing in your face definitely has a different, almost whimsical, vibe to it. Put on your fuzzy socks and make yourself a cup of hot chocolate while cuddling with your family, and watch your favorite holiday movie. Tune in to watch ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas. Sit at the dinner table and be thankful and reflective with your loved ones as you each embrace the end of a year and look forward to the start of another.