Finals season is fast approaching so it can be a stressful and dark time in the semester. Right after it, however, is the holiday season and Christmas. It may seem hard to celebrate the holidays while you’re still at UC Berkeley, but there are plenty of easy ways you can get some holiday cheer as finals season approaches. Here are some dorm-friendly ways you can get into the holiday spirit.

String up paper snowflakes

An easy holiday craft you can do is to make paper snowflakes. This cost-effective craft is a favorite among many to add some festive flare to a room. First, you’re going to gather some scrap paper (or some readings you printed out from last semester.) Taking one piece of paper, fold it into eighths and cut a pattern into it. Unravel and it and voila, a paper snowflake! You can tape the finished products on your wall or get a string to hang them with. This craft might even take you back in time to your elementary school days — a major throwback. 

Listen to Christmas songs

If you enjoy the Christmas season, why not listen to some Christmas music to get yourself in the spirit of the holidays? You can listen to it while you’re studying, doing homework or just relaxing after a long day. Just remember to listen to it with headphones if there are other people around. We want to be conscious of those who hate listening to Christmas music against their own will. 

Digital yule log

If you want the holiday coziness of watching a crackling fire but live in the dorms, then a digital yule log is just the thing for you. There are plenty of videos on Youtube that consist of a fireplace with a crackling fire — you might even find a live stream or two. So just turn off the lights, snuggle up in a blanket and have the crackling fire on your computer screen be the only glow in the room. This is a great way to feel cozy in a dorm room.

Get an advent calendar

This might seem like a relic of your childhood, but advent calendars can actually be quite good. Not only is it a festive decoration that takes up little space, but it’s also a nice way of counting down the days until the semester is over. As an added bonus, you’ll get a chocolate or a little toy every day, which is a nice little surprise. 

The end of fall semester can feel dark and dreary. Since the holidays are right around the corner, you might as well let some holiday spirit in to make things a little brighter. After all, the holidays do that for the winter season, so why not do it for finals season?