Cap the holiday season with an ice-skating party!

For an afternoon of old-fashioned winter fun, gather your friends and head to the nearest skating rink!

1 Invite your friends!

There’s a reason ice-skating is more popular than ever: It’s a wonderful way to unplug, de-stress and reconnect with friends while enjoying some endorphin-boosting exercise! Plus, many rinks are decorated like winter wonderlands this time of year, making a skating party the perfect capper to the holiday season! Locate a rink near you at Findrinks.com, and call ahead to ask about upcoming special events—it’s even more fun to plan your outing before an ice show or when a DJ is spinning holiday tunes!

2 Bundle up!

When you invite your friends, let them know if the rink is indoors or out so they can dress appropriately. A sweater, thin gloves and hat are the best bet for an indoor rink, while you’ll want a puffy jacket if you’re outside. Bulky socks can bunch up inside ice skates, so wear a thin wool or cotton pair.

3 Give friends a small favor!

In the spirit of the season, treat pals to a small favor like a bundle of candy canes, a small ornament or silly holiday-print socks. Or hand out pompoms or bells for everyone to tie to their ice skates— a tradition that started in the 1940s!

4 Warm up with hot cocoa!

Chase away the chill and make your get-together feel like a party with thermoses of hot cocoa and a tin of holiday cookies that friends can enjoy during breaks. Pack sturdy paper cups and paper napkins—plus a bag of marshmallows or a can of whipped cream for a yummy garnish. Love to bake? Look for sweet skatinginspired cookie cutters at Wilton. com and Fancyflours.com. You can make cookies shaped like skates, mittens, hats or figure eights!