What to Do Over Winter Break
Classes are over, finals are coming to an end and the start of another semester is weeks away. Wondering what to do with your free time over winter break? Rutgers Today asked faculty and staff across the university for some recommendations.
Here are some suggestions to fill your free time.
Discover New Restaurants
It is always fun to go out for a meal with friends over the break, and the Philadelphia area has some great places that go beyond the cheesesteak. First up, Tattooed Mom, a funky South Street spot dating back to the 1990s. Their slogan is “Good Times Always,” and with walls of sticker art, Victorian furniture, and regular events including drag shows and craft nights, they stay true to that motto. With a menu of comfort classics, your best bets are the fried pickle chicken sandwich, cheesy tater tots, or musubi from the special Tutu Mary’s menu, inspired by the chef’s Hawaiian grandmother. In Center City, there’s Monster Vegan featuring a Philly inspired menu and 1950s monster movie decor. You can’t go wrong with the General Tso’s sandwich, the take-out classic reimagined as a hoagie. Of course, you may want to spend your break closer to home in New Jersey. 2020 Rutgers-Camden alum Brennah Lambert’s Lesbiveggies will resolve any preconceptions you may have about plant-based food. From the incredible breakfast tacos, the smoked maple Dijon Brussels sprouts to the delicious birria, there’s something for everyone. Currently in Audubon, Lesbveggies is moving to a larger spot in Woodbury in January 2025.
– Librarian Bart Everts, Paul Robeson Library, Rutgers-Camden
Go to the Movies
Winter break and the holidays are about spending time with your family and loved ones. I can remember my parents taking me to the movies five days in a row over the Christmas break when I was a kid!
There are three movies over this break that fit perfectly into the "Bring your whole family out" category. There will be Mufasa: A Lion King Story, directed by Barry Jenkins (Moonlight, If These Streets Could Talk) with songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Moana, Encanto). With that kind of storytelling power behind it, I bet Mufasa will surprise people this Christmas.
Then there is Sonic 3, which is at the top of every "most anticipated" list for kids 18 and under. Parents surely wouldn't regret taking their kids to this one (and they may drag you out to this one, anyway!).
Last, but certainly not least would be Wicked. Whether it is for repeat viewings from Thanksgiving or giving it a shot for the first time, Wicked has become an absolute phenomenon since its debut and is showing no signs of slowing down!
All three of these movies will be playing all winter break, including the holidays, at Rutgers Cinema. We hope to see you all here over the break!
– Alexander DelVecchio, general manager, Rutgers Cinema
Create Healthy Habits
The American Heart Association and World Health Organization recommend that we get 150 heart points a week of moderate exercise or 90 heart points a week of intense exercise. A minute of exercise equals one point on most fitness apps and one of my favorite activities – walking at a fast pace – counts as moderate exercise.
So why not build a habit of walking every day?
- Make it a manageable amount of time – you can almost always find 15 minutes.
- Don’t strive to have the perfect experience – if you get bored, you get bored. It’s only 15 minutes. Just go.
- Try to attach it to another habit. If you always go for coffee at 9 a.m., take a longer loop to get to the coffee.
Which brings us to the reward. Give yourself positive feedback – reward yourself. The coffee works, but so does gamifying your walks. Use a phone or watch health app to track your points. It’s rewarding to see the points add up every day and even more so by the end of the week.
Simple habits can form in as little as 21 days but can take months. When I can’t make the time, I give myself grace and try another day. No need to wait until January for this resolution – the walk will give you peace of mind and heart points now.
Want to develop a creative habit instead? Find 15 minutes a day to draw or paint or make origami. Just like walking, these get easier with time and you get more skilled with practice.
– Noa’a Shimoni, associate vice president for Student Health and Wellness; associate professor, Department of Family Medicine, New Jersey Medical School
Rest and Reconnect With Loved Ones
For me the holidays are a time to nest, create, and connect with people I love. Here are my recommendations for great ways to spend the time. First, sleep. Second, pull out that list of books you have been wanting to read, grab a snuggly blanket, some tea, and read the day away. Third, bust out the board games or decks of cards and indulge. I love Spite and Malice, and our family loves a good game of dominoes. Fourth, schedule a movie marathon, binge watch a series, or simulcast a movie with friends. Again, cue the cuddly blankets, hot drinks, and favorite snacks! Fifth, create! Paint, doodle, craft, journal – just bring something new and beautiful into the world. Sixth, do a low-key, laughter-filled, in-person or Zoom brunch with dear ones you don’t often see. Finally, do something kind and generous for someone – just because.
– Jacqueline S. Mattis, Dean, School of Arts and Sciences-Newark
Explore New Music
If you’re someone who plans on opening up some new albums during your Winter Break, then I highly recommend the following:
Album #1: Seed of a Seed by Haley Heynderickx
A panoramic, fresh, and warm folk comfort album that pairs perfectly with a heavy blanket straight out of the dryer. Heynderickx proves once again her abilities quietly, confidently, and full of emotion. If you crave a brand new take on a classic sound, this album is for you.
Album #2: Songs of a Lost World by The Cure
A momentous return to the sparse beauty of late 80s sound with a somber look to the future, The Cure’s most recent album will strike at the heart of fans new and old. This heavy work deserves to be sat down with and considered for years to come.
Album #3: The Great Impersonator by Halsey
Honesty and appreciation for the best and worst of times push through an ambitious album with crisp drums and teardrop conjuring guitars. This is not your absent minded, grocery store drive pop album, but rather a complicated love letter to the genre: raw, dark at times, and engrossing.
Album #4: Chromakopia by Tyler, The Creator
Sonically eclectic, layered, and absolutely banging, Tyler, The Creator drops an instant classic. Its mature themes and lyrics might not be appropriate for the family holiday gathering, but is well worth a listen. More introspective than predecessor CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, Tyler further cements himself as a master detractor of the scene (see track Take Your Mask Off).
Album #5: Why is the Colour of the Sky? By Bananagun
Fresh psychedelic rock from Australia, Bananagun’s second full-length release brings pastoral folky landscapes to this mix of tasty jams.This album will transport you to an island full of whimsy, panache, friendly strangers, and wonders - a perfect escape from those stressful holiday moments.
– Christopher Wolfe, assistant to the dean, Mason Gross School of the Arts
Hide From the Cold: Exercise Indoors
I often think about the benefits of exercise – yet, like many, I find it challenging to fit enough activity into my daily routine. With the holidays approaching, now is a great time to prioritize 30 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous activity and two days of muscle-strengthening exercises each week. Physical activity is a cornerstone of good health, improving energy levels, boosting mood, and relieving stress.
I am an avid walker, but also enjoy indoor workouts. YouTube is an excellent resource for free workout videos tailored to various fitness levels and goals – whether you’re a beginner or looking for a challenge. Health benefits aren’t limited to structured exercise – try walking while chatting with loved ones on the phone. It makes conversations more engaging and helps me feel more present.
Muscle-strengthening is especially important as we age. For those avoiding the cold, bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, or dumbbells are excellent for home workouts. Adjustable weights can be a great investment (hint: holiday gift idea). Other options include yoga, indoor cycling, or even turning household chores into active breaks. This holiday season, I plan to move more to boost my mental and physical health – and I encourage you to do the same!
– Brandon L. Alderman, associate professor and chair, Department of Kinesiology and Health, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers-New Brunswick
Do Some Indoor Planting
Winter doesn't have to be a gray time for green thumbs. It’s the perfect opportunity to nurture your indoor plants – or to give one as a gift.
The ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is an indoor super star that is slow growing and likes a crowded pot, making it an easy plant for beginners and experts alike. It has a striking form, likes indoor light levels, dry soil and is available at almost any nursey.
Select a planter that is barely larger than the root mass, being sure it has a hole in the bottom. Plant the ZZ into the new pot using a standard cactus mix. Water it well so that the water drains out of the bottom, and then don’t water it again until the soil is dry. Add a little time-release fertilizer, and this plant will be happy. If the leaves become dusty, give it a quick rinse in the shower. Place it in a bright location, and you will have a beautiful addition to your indoor landscape for years to come!
Here are a few tips for gifting plants for the holidays.
- The cellophane decorative ‘bowls’ that plants are often sold in hold water that can rot a plant’s roots. Be sure to remove it until you are ready to deliver your gift. When giving a plant as a gift, carry it in a box to keep it stable. This not only catches spilled soil – it keeps the roots healthy and intact during transport.
- When selecting a plant as a gift, keep in mind that many houseplants are poisonous for pets. The ZZ plant, for example, is a sturdy and beautiful choice, but it can be toxic to cats.
– Ruth Carll, State Leader, Consumer Horticulture and Master Gardener Programs, Rutgers Cooperative Extention, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Extension, Rutgers-New Brunswick
