Pennsylvania and New Jersey Holiday Activities and Ideas
The holidays are officially here, and with it comes a lot of great things that you can do with friends and family over the next few weeks leading up to Christmas. Plenty of holiday events and attractions open on Thanksgiving weekend, and some of them stay open all the way until January. With the colder weather moving in, now is really the perfect time to embrace these holiday events, which can make this time of year a lot more cheerful, which is a good thing. Get ready for the festive season with some Pennsylvania and New Jersey things to do.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey Holiday Activities
Ice Skating at Local Spots
It’s the Northeast, so of course you’re going to find places to go ice skating this time of year. In Pennsylvania, in the heart of Philadelphia, Dilworth Park is really a winter wonderland and offers outdoor ice skating, as well as “a whimsical topiary garden, a chalet-style cabin and charming fire pits” and more. Winter at Dilworth Park programming turns the west side of City Hall into the ultimate seasonal destination. If you’d rather be indoors, Ice Land Skating Center and American Dream are good options.
Give Back
The holidays are a time for giving. Sure, opening gifts is fun, but it’s also really fun to give back. Find some local charities and either donate to them or give your time by volunteering for them. Giving to your local food bank is always a great option. Some popular charities this time of year are Toys for Tots, the Salvation Army, Ronald McDonald House and Habitat for Humanity, just to name a few.
Do Some Holiday Baking or Cooking
Even if you aren’t the best chef or baker in the world, it’s worth a try during the holidays. You could even get into the kitchen and make gifts for family and friends while listening to Christmas music. Try finding your “signature” food item that you always bring to events. Experiment with a few different recipes, and once you find one that people rave about, make it your special dish that you always bring to holiday parties and family gatherings. It’s fun to have a signature dish for which you’re known.
Holiday Movie Night
Sometimes, staying in is the perfect way to enjoy a cozy holiday evening. This time of year, there are so many Christmas movies available on streaming and regular TV. So, why not start a new tradition and gather the family every year for holiday movie night. You can even make it extra special with festive snacks, such as Christmas popcorn with a marshmallow coating and green and red sprinkles.
