For some, the holidays call for a first class ticket to a nice, warm place like the Bahamas or a week of skiing in the scenic mountains of Switzerland.

    For others, the definition of a good holiday is laying in bed with a nice book while drinking hot chocolate. Personally, I’d rather stay at home wearing a pair of comfy socks and sleeping. A lot of people at South share the same view. They prefer to stay at home because they’re worried about two things: time and money.

    “Certain places are more expensive during certain times of the year,” said Kimberly Bebawi, Culinary and Financial Literacy teacher at South. “A person that needs an escape from daily life may feel like a vacation is worth the money to de-stress.”

   In school, time either drags on in the middle of class or flies by too fast when it’s the day of a test.

    This is true during the holidays, too. According to the American Psychological Association, stress comes from the holiday rush and the fear of being short on time.

    “If I stay at home, then I can sleep whenever I want. I can binge watch all my favorite shows on Netflix and catch up on them,” said Srinidi Venkateswaran, senior at South. “During school, I don’t really have time for myself, so I use my holidays to the fullest.”

    Venkateswaran’s response really got me thinking. During school days, I can get stressed; other students do as well.  This is a normal part of life.

    That got me thinking about the holidays. The holidays are a time away from school when there’s no homework, no tests and plenty of quality time to spend with our family.

       I’m a fan of sitting at home with a warm blanket and the television running quietly while being surrounded by my family. There is no chaos or rushed packing.

    It’s also fun to hang out with my friends. If I leave for a vacation, I end up missing them and wishing that they were with me. This is why I love staying at home. I’m just ready for a calm, lazy break with my family and friends.