The holidays are here and all is merry and bright—but what is there to do?

There’s tons to do, actually—whether holiday themed, winter themed, or just something to pick you up on a chilly day there’s tons of fun and affordable activities out there waiting.

Fun in the Kitchen

A classic Christmas tradition for many is baking cookies, but what’s the best cookie to make? I recommend the deliciously cheap Pillsbury Christmas Sugar Cookies. Not only are they a staple in many households, but they are also a fun activity that just about anyone can handle.

Since the cookies come in a box, all baking instructions are right there with very little extra ingredients needed. If you’re not feeling in the baking mood, these cookies are made specially that you can just pop them out of the packaging and eat them raw! You can get yourself a box of Pillsbury for the cheap price of $3.68 at Walmart.

If you go to Walmart’s competitor, Target, another winter kitchen activity awaits: gingerbread houses! Gingerbread houses are another classic tradition, but Target has put a fun twist on the old tradition.

Of course Target has traditional gingerbread house kits but they also have a collection of “modern day” gingerbread houses. For example, you could make a gingerbread Target, a gingerbread beach house, a gingerbread sports stadium, a gingerbread hot cocoa stand, a gingerbread barn, and so much more! Prices average around $13 but can be as low as $4 and up to $25 depending on the kit.

Brighten Your Holiday

One of the best parts of the holidays is seeing all the festive lights and decoration. A Christmas Light-Up has been held annually since 1993 at nearby Clinton Park, and each year the lights are terrific! The best part about the lights at Clinton is that they are local and all-volunteer run. The lights operate daily from 5–10:00 p.m. with a $10 charge per car. The Clinton lights run until January 1.

For even bigger and brighter lights, Oglebay has their own set of lights set up. The cost is a bit more expensive at $30 per car and the drive is a bit farther, so if you’re looking for a quick night activity, Clinton might be the better and cheaper choice. However, the Oglebay light display is quite extensive.

Set a Date to Skate

Whenever local residents thinks of ice skating, they usually think of the rink at Brady’s Run Park, but is this the best skating option? It’s true that it’s very local and an inexpensive option, but if you want the full winter experience an indoor skating rink that has to be shared with hockey teams and figure skaters might not be the number-one option.

The pop-up rink in Pittsburgh’s PPG Plaza is a great experience, but to make the drive to Pittsburgh worth it, you should make a whole day out of it which can be fun but also a bit pricey depending on how you spend the day. Additionally, the rink can be super busy especially during weekends, so if the crowd isn’t for you there’s a better option.

For the perfect mix of winter vibes and budget, North Park has a great rink for the holidays. The drive might be the worst part if you’re worried about gas money, but the cheap cost of skating and the outdoor rink makes up for inconvenience. It’s only $6 for admission and $3 for skate rental.

Holiday Shows

There’s actually quite a few holiday shows taking place throughout December; it’s just a matter of where and when. One of the classics each year is the Nutcracker. One quick trip to Midland will get you to the Nutcracker. December 14-17 Lincoln Park is staging the Nutcracker for one weekend only. Ticket prices range from $18–$25 depending on where you sit. Additionally, Lincoln Park will be hosting the River City Brass Holiday Brasstacular December 22. Tickets for this concert are $20.

In Cranberry, the Comtra Theater will be staging the holiday classic White Christmas, the post WWII musical depicting a Christmas show at a Vermont lodge. Dates for this show are December 14-17.