Full of energy? Here’s how to have a fun, productive winter break in Hong Kong
- You don’t need to get away to make the best of your holiday time off; there’s plenty of things you can do in the city
- Try volunteering, revisiting your favourite books, or reaching out to a classmate you want to get to know better
What’s your ideal way to spend your winter break? Photo: ShutterstockYou don’t need a grand getaway or a life-changing epiphany to make the best of your winter break. Your time away from your studies should be both restful and rejuvenating. However, if you still have energy and motivation from school and are looking for different ways to spend your time, here are some ideas for things you can do on your break.
Community service
While everyone loves to rest and catch up on sleep during their break, consider using that time to give back to the community. There are endless service opportunities across the city, and you can easily find an organisation that piques your interest.
HandsOn Hong Kong is a great place to look for volunteer opportunities. And if you don’t think you can volunteer your time, you can also raise money for a good cause.
The benefits of volunteering in Hong Kong
Try petsitting
There’s nothing quite like spending time with a furry friend to recharge! If you know someone who is away for the holiday, offer to look after their pet. Pet sitting not only creates stability during the break, a time which often lacks routine, but it also forces you to be responsible and accountable.
Pet sitting can give you the opportunity to make a little pocket money during the break, which is always a productive use of your time. But even if you do it free of charge, cuddling with an adorable pet is its own reward.
If you don’t know someone with a pet, you can always check out one of the various Facebook groups catered to pet owners. To get started, you can join Hong Kong Pet Owners or Hong Kong Dog Owners.
Read an old favourite
Winter is the perfect time for warm blankets, a mug of hot chocolate and a good book. We got a tonne of great books across all genres in 2023. If you’re feeling adventurous, pick up a book outside your reading comfort zone; for example, choose a non-fiction book if you normally read fiction. But you can also consider returning to one of your favourites from childhood.
We all have books or films that transport us to a simpler time and make us feel nostalgic. Even better, you can share this reading experience with someone! If you have a younger sibling, cousin or friend, try reading this special book with them. Not only can you reminisce about a magical world that brought you joy years ago, but you can spark a new interest in reading in a young relative or friend.
If you are looking for book suggestions, check out YP’s list of 10 must-read memoirs. There are some great YouTube channels with book suggestions and reviews. Some of our favourites include:
Jessethereader
The PeruseProject
A Clockwork Reader
Hailey in Bookland
Explore Hong Kong
While some people may travel to other cities and countries for a holiday or to visit family, you can also use your winter break to rediscover Hong Kong. Whether that be returning to an old neighbourhood you used to frequent or exploring somewhere new, there are plenty of hidden gems in the city. Here are some ideas to get you started:
-
The Unesco Global Geopark in Sai Kung (and check out the rest of Sai Kung while you’re at it!)
-
Lamma Island
-
Peng Chau
-
Cheung Chau
-
Shek O
-
Tai O
-
Po Toi
-
Tsz Shan Monastery
-
Plover Cove Country Park
-
Tai Mei Tuk
-
Mui Wo
-
Macau
Pick up a hobby
Is there something you’ve been meaning to try but never followed through with? With all this free time at your fingertips, you can finally get a jump-start on a new hobby! Buy some art supplies, sign up for that singing lesson, organise a chess club, enrol in a yoga course, or work on your poetry.
And if you don’t know what new hobby you want to try, now is the time to look into different options and reflect on what might suit your interests and skills.
For DIY inspiration, check out accounts like @abeautifulmess on Instagram. If you’re interested in fitness, you can ask your parents to download the app ClassPass, which will give you the chance to try different sports and exercise classes across the city. You can also learn more about other cool events via Meetup.
6 reads from Japanese authors to warm your hearts this winter
Spend time outdoors
So often, we get stuck in routines that keep us inside. We go from home to school to extracurriculars, then back home to study. It is important to take a break from our mundane routines occasionally and get some fresh air.
Thankfully, Hong Kong has plenty of parks, trails, beaches and nature reserves where you can reconnect with the great outdoors. If nature isn’t your favourite thing, you can still go on a jog or a walk around your neighbourhood to get outside – just remember to put on sunblock.
Check out the Instagram account @hkoutsider if you want to join some fun activities with other Hongkongers.
Make a new friend
Is there someone at school that you have been meaning to get to know better? Reach out to them and plan something to do!
Winter break is (hopefully) a stress-free time, with exams and papers no longer at the forefront of one’s mind. Use it as a chance to cultivate new friendships or strengthen your current ones. As we end 2023 and enter the new year, it’s the perfect time to remind your friends how much you appreciate them.