During the holiday season, it can be hard to balance the stress of midterms while dedicating time to seasonal media and activities. Additionally, keeping track of these activities can be a pain. Here’s a masterlist of festive movies, books, and activities to help you plan out your holiday jollity.

Movies:

Rewinding with a seasonal movie can be the perfect end to a long day, whether it be romantic, comedic, or somewhat sentimental, these are some of the best holiday classics.

1. Planes, Trains And Automobiles is a fantastic comedy about a businessman’s journey home from New York City to Chicago to celebrate Thanksgiving. Directed by John Hughes, the film stars Steve Martin — the control freak just trying to make it home — and John Candy — his charming, oaf-like companion.

2. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is another John Hughes holiday classic. The film revolves around Clark Griswald (Chevy Chase) and his goal to have a perfect family Christmas. His goal doesn’t go as planned when family members show up unannounced, the Christmas decorations fail, and his work bonus is threatened.

3. In the mood for something short? How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) is the perfect animated short about the Grinch’s plan to steal the holiday cheer from the Whos of Whoville.

4. Love Actually is a romantic comedy involving nine stories interconnected by love. The film’s stars include Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, and Kiera Knightly.

5. When Harry Met Sally follows two people’s 12-year and three-month-long journey from a mutual dislike to friendship, and finally, to love. The film explores gender roles and stereotypes in relationships, making for a comedic commentary on the idea of modern-day love.

6. Scrooged — a modern-day take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol — highlights a television executive’s path to making amends. After firing a staff member, Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is visited by three ghosts and advised to make atonement.

7. Another modern take on A Christmas Carol, The Muppet Christmas Carol is a family-friendly tale incorporating the traditional storyline of the original Dickens novel with Brian Henson characters like Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog, and Fozzie Bear.

8. The cult classic Elf follows the excursion of Buddy (Will Ferrell) from his home at the North Pole to New York City to find his real father Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a corrupt businessman with little time for his family. Hobbs is coerced into a chaotic relationship with the not-yet-adjusted Buddy.

9. Have a hankering for Tom Hanks? The Polar Express depicts the adventure of a young boy’s search for finding truth in the Christmas spirit while making friends along the way.

10. With seven versions, Little Women is a classic story portraying the struggles of friendship and family during the different seasons and holidays.

Books:

Curling up with a good holiday book over the holiday break is a relaxing, beneficial, and festive way to spend your free time. Here are some great holiday reads.

1. A Christmas Carol is the novel that inspired countless renditions in film, television, and literature. The novel revolves around Ebenezer Scrooge — a greedy man without holiday cheer — and his reevaluation of his treatment towards others.

2. Santa Mouse is a childhood classic about a generous mouse who uses his imagination to play pretend but longs for some real playmates to throw parties with. When he is discovered by Santa Claus for his selfless attitude, he becomes Santa’s companion and finds a joyful purpose.

3. Based on the classic holiday television special, A Charlie Brown Christmas dives into finding the meaning of Christmas through a meager Christmas tree rescued by Charlie Brown.

Activities:

It can be tricky to keep track of local holiday festivities, so here are some great options that enrich the local community and make for time well spent.

1. From November 25th to January 1st, Enchant St. Petersburg, FL will be at the Tropicana field. Tickets range in price depending on age and included activities.

2. Dunedin’s Old Fashion Christmas & Holiday Parade will be held on December 10th this year from 4:00-9:00 PM. The event is free to attend, but there will be additional festivities requiring money. The activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, festive music, old fashion games, s’mores, and much more.

3. On December 14th and 15th, at The Birchwood, there will be a holiday candlelight concert featuring music from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.