7 Pocket-Friendly December Plans: Fun Hostel Activities For Festive Travellers
Potluck Community Dinners: Food and togetherness are two important aspects of any celebration, and a hostel potluck allows the traveller to bring/cook a meal from their area/culture and create a mini food festival without having to fork out restaurant prices for that meal. The conversations and cultural exchange will lead to new friendships and usually last much longer than the holiday. (Image Source: Canva)
Gatherings for DIY decorations: Skip pricey home decoration items and act creatively to celebrate. Common areas are transformed into a warm holiday corner with items you create, such as fairy lights and homemade ornaments; recycled jars make a beautiful addition. DIY gatherings are not only budget-friendly but are also a form of therapy for guests and a bonding experience for travellers working together to decorate as if they are creating their own home. (Image Source: Canva)
Open Mic/Storytelling Gatherings: As things slow down in December, we have time to listen more. The stories you hear during Open Mic nights (whether about travel, poetry, music or comedy) provide a sense of belonging to the speakers. You don't have to have a 'talent', but honesty about who you are will provide insight into each story. The stories are often filled with insights into the speaker's life journey; some are funny, some very emotional, and others will help you connect with someone you've never met before! (Image Source: Canva)
Offer Movie & Documentary Nights As On A Budget: A holiday film or a travel documentary in your hostel's public space can help attract guests easily and inexpensively. One of the additional services offered is blankets and chairs to provide guests with comfortable seating. In our lounge area, guests have the opportunity to enjoy popcorn and warm beverages while conversing with friends, creating a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. When selecting films, focus on films that encourage discussion, such as great travel stories or documentaries that hold cultural significance. (Image Source: Canva)
Skill Swap Session: Hostels bring to one location a collection of individuals with differing backgrounds and an array of skills that are fantastic opportunities for informal skill-sharing between travellers. One traveller may provide a short lesson on how to take basic photography, another will provide a few yoga stretches, and another may provide some budgeting skills, while still another will provide the basic fundamentals of learning a foreign language. Skill-sharing sessions are free of charge, peer-to-peer sessions that, in most cases, provide the most memorable segments of the traveller's stay. (Image Source: Canva)
Opportunity To Explore Locally on Foot: The month of December provides comfortable weather to be able to do walking tours. By offering an organised group walking tour to the various local markets, heritage lanes, viewpoints or cafés, the traveller will be able to gain first-hand knowledge of the local area without having to spend large quantities of money on transportation and/or guided tours of the area, and more importantly, it will foster further connections and exploration of the travellers across generations and enhance the travel experience due to the sharing of valuable information and experiences encountered throughout the journey. (Image Source: Canva)
Reflections and Journaling Circles: When the year draws to a close, many travellers think about the past year. Quiet journal circles or intention-setting circles provide guests with a space in which they can pause to write about their experiences and share (if they wish). The experience of mindfulness in itself does not cost anything; however, it can leave guests with lasting emotional impacts and provide them with clarity and calm going forward into the new year. (Image Source: Canva)
Inputs By: Kunwar Gaurav Giri, Chairperson, Annapurna Hostel (Image Source: Canva)