Regardless of what holidays you choose to celebrate, there are plenty of ways to create your own sense of tradition this season. Whether you’re working full time, are an out of state student or you’re spending the holidays in Boone, here is a list of ways to make your own traditions with your chosen college family. 

Thanksgiving 

During the giving season, community-oriented activities like volunteering, clothing swaps, Friendsgiving and craft nights offer ways to stay engaged. 

Friendsgiving is for those who are spending the holiday with their friends and still want to have a dinner or celebration. For the meal you can have traditional Thanksgiving food or switch it up and choose a different food theme. 

Each person can bring their own dish, dessert or drink. You can go around the table and ask everyone what they are thankful for or make a poster that everyone can write on. 

With the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade blaring in the background and the smell of a home-cooked, or takeout, meal wafting through your home, host a Friendsgiving this year. 

Swing by the farmers’ market for local produce or baked goods and have a card or board game night. Or play touch football like that one “Friends” episode. 

Grab that pile of clothes that’s been sitting in the backseat of your car for months and trade them for something new with a clothing swap. Revamp your closet at no cost by hosting a sustainable shopping spree with friends. 

Give your thanks back to the community by volunteering at non-profits in town. Some include Hospitality House, FARM Cafe and Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture. 

According to their website, BRWIA has an online market, The High Country Food Hub, which is always looking for community volunteers every Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. to help prepare and hand out customer orders. Learn more about volunteer opportunities for the food hub on their website.

Christmas, Hanukkah and other winter festivities

Celebrate the holiday season in Watauga County with festivals, parades, barhopping, ice skating and holiday-themed events in town.

Attend the Festive First Friday and Solar Tree Lighting on Dec. 6 from 5-8 p.m. 

Lane Moody, the town of Boone’s downtown development coordinator, said First Friday has horse-drawn carriage rides, hot chocolate, a snowball fight, letter writing to Santa and face painting. 

“I feel like for Festive First Friday it’s one of those sweet opportunities to bring together our community and downtown and we encourage people to shop local and get those unique presents for your family members,” she said. 

Additionally, community members are encouraged to watch the solar tree lighting on the lawn of the Jones House and hang out downtown, she said. 

There’s always opportunities for help and volunteer work, Moody said. 

An article published in The Appalachian in 1979 reported on kicking off the holiday season with the annual Boone parade and the winning float of that year. 

The article, written by Virginia Myers, described members of the Home Economics club dressed as walking gift boxes, clowns and Yosef Club mountaineer members handing out candy.  

Many other community members turned out for the event including clowns, Girl and Boy Scouts, cloggers and more. 

Local dignitaries and beauty queens rode by in corvettes, and antique car horns tooted at the bystanders.

Although it may look a bit different than it did in the 1970s, no clowns this time, Boone is keeping the holiday spirit alive with the Town of Boone Holiday Parade this year from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 14. 

“Proceeding east down King Street, the parade features local businesses and organizations showing off their Christmas and holiday best with floats, marchers, costumes and performances – with Santa Claus himself making an appearance at the finale!” reads the Town of Boone website. 

After the parade, visit the festively-decorated Jones House for a cup of hot chocolate and holiday cookies, the Town of Boone website reads. 

The Chetola Resort is hosting its annual festival of lights from Nov. 29 to Jan. 26 in Blowing Rock at no cost, the displays illuminating at dusk each night. 

“As you drive or stroll around Chetola Lake, view glittering ice skaters, “Rudolph” reeling in a big fish, strolling carolers and many more captivating holiday scenes,” reads Chetola Resort’s website. 

For those celebrating the holidays with plenty of cheers, go barhopping around town and taste test various holiday drinks. 

Have a rooftop beverage at Horton Hotel, cuddled up with a blanket around a fire. 

Or have a drinking night at home, with fancy PJs and a theme. Find recipes online for a gingerbread or sugar cookie martini, a cranberry margarita or a white Christmas mojito.

Grab a cup of hot chocolate and your warmest coat and slide your way on over to Appalachian Ski Mountain for an ice skating session. 

The scheduled ice skating season at App Ski Mountain is from Nov. 22 to March 16. Skating sessions run from noon to 2 p.m., 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. They also offer moonlight skating sessions on New Years Eve from 10 p.m. to  midnight, according to App Ski Mountain’s website. 

For a night in, make a playlist of iconic holiday oldies or watch your favorite festive film. Invite friends over and decorate gingerbread houses or cookies.

New Years 

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Beech Mountain Resort from 7 p.m. to midnight on Dec. 31. The Family-friendly celebration is free. The concert cover is $20 for ages 18 and up, according to Explore Boone. 

Dance with DJ Pete, capture memories in the photo booth, enjoy balloon creations from the twist-the-balloon artists and watch a free fireworks display outside of the lodge at midnight, according to Explore Boone. 

Or, one can attend the Blowing Rock Winterfest from Jan. 23-26. Located at 132 Park Ave., Blowing Rock. Tickets for Winterfest and more are coming in December. 

“Blowing Rock celebrates winter each year with several days of fun and events for the whole family from ice sculpture carving to polar plunge into Chetola Lake and from hayrides to wine and beer tasting,” according to Explore Boone.