With winter comes darker, colder, and drearier days, and many people struggle with occupying their time as we reach the dead of winter.  While it can sometimes be a challenge to come up with interesting things to do, if you know the right activities, there is a lot of fun to be had.  With such a wide variety of things to do, it is sure to be a season full great memories.

Even with the bitter cold, proper outerwear and a positive attitude can help you, and if you’re partaking in one of the many outdoor activities, it can make you forget about the weather.  Port has a few ice skating rinks that are open to the public.  One surefire way to cure your winter blues is to go down to the ice rink for a few hours of skating with friends or family!

“I love going ice skating when it gets cold out!” said junior Maddy Weiner.  “Even though I’m not very good, it’s always fun to go out with my friends and just have a good time.”

If you aren’t a fan of ice skating, there are still many other outdoor activities to take part in.  Take advantage of the snow covered hills and go sledding.  As long as you take proper safety precautions, it can be a great winter activity that is accessible throughout Port Washington.

“Once it snows, I always go out to this hill near my house to go sledding,” said freshman Zach Gitlin.  “I’ve been going sledding since I was little, so it’s a really fun winter tradition.”

For those of you not willing to face the biting temperatures, there is no shortage of indoor activities where you can keep yourself occupied.  As Christmas comes closer, many people put up elaborate holiday decoration displays that are fun to create and look at.  Many people would recommend driving around and looking at all of the unique holiday lights and other decorations.  Looking at the lights  is a good way to celebrate the holidays while still staying warm in a heated car.  There are so many different neighborhoods in Port and outside of town that there are endless amounts of decorations to check out if you are ever feeling bored.

“Sometimes when I really don’t want to be cold I drive around and look at decorations,” said junior Davida Harris.  “It’s always exciting to see how others are getting into the holiday spirit and it makes me more excited about the winter.”

Lastly, winter is the perfect time to sit at home, drink hot chocolate, and watch a movie with friends.  After a cold day outside, there is nothing better than warming up next to the fireplace, wrapping up in a blanket, and drinking hot chocolate.  Having your friends over for a holiday movie marathon will get everyone in the spirit, while staying warm.  You can even take the time to bake and make treats for everyone to enjoy.  This final activity, though simple, is a favorite for many and can help make sure that this season will be your best winter yet.

“I love baking cookies with my friends and then watching a movie on a really cold day,” said junior Emily Kraus.  “It’s always a good way to take a break from the cold.”

Whether you love being out in the snow, or you just want to stay warm, there are many ways that you can take advantage of the season and enjoy yourself all winter long.