After the initial appeal of a home cooked meal and sleeping in until noon wears off, many students face mid-break boredom. Break can be fun again, however, if you find creative ways to entertain yourself. After you tune into the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, follow our guide to beat the post-Thanksgiving Day blues.

Shop

If you're brave enough to deal with the hardcore shoppers, you might find some bargains at the mall. I suggest you get there early to beat the hectic Day-After-Thanksgiving Sale traffic. Remember, the early bird gets the worm! Don't forget your list. If you mall isn't for you, see if you can find some bargains on e-Bay.

Cook

Pass the time as you make some holiday treats. Maybe ask your mom to share a traditional family recipe. If all else fails, gingerbread men and sugar cookies are always a hit. If you have extras, bring some back for your roommates.

Hit the Gym

The holidays are traditionally prime time to pack on the pounds. You don't have to give up your faithful RecPlex routine, however. Head to your local gym for a post-Thanksgiving Day dinner workout. If you don't have a membership, run around the block or do some exercise in your home. Once you get the blood flowing, you'll be glad you did.

Volunteer

Why not give up a few hours of your time to help the needy? Contact your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter about volunteering. Volunteers are needed to serve meals, especially during the holidays. You can start by contacting your local United Way. See http://www.unitedway.org for more information.

Read

After you're stuffed with turkey, curl up with a good book. If the only book you've picked up this semester has been your biology book, it might be a good time to read for leisure. Your local library has books to appeal to every taste. Why not pick up a best-sellers or the classic book you've always wanted to read?

Decorate

It's about time to bring the Christmas tree out from storage in the attic. Make some hot cocoa, turn on the Christmas tunes and get in the holiday spirit. Don't forget to bring some decorations back for your place on campus. However, you may want to refresh your memory about the university's policy about lights.

Go bowling

Get a group of your high school buddies together and head over to the local bowling alley. This activity is a cheap option for pros and amateurs alike. Some alleys offer group rates and other promotions like cosmic bowling'the use of blacklights, fluorescent pins and music to create a lively atmosphere. You might even be able to request bumpers if you're a more leisurely bowler.

Play board games

Revert back to your childhood years with board games. Gather around the kitchen table to play favorites like Monopoly or Clue.

Go to the movies

Several movies have been released just in time for the holiday season. See our guide in the last issue of Flyer News for some highlights. Grab a few friends and head over to the theater for a night out of the house. If you're low on the dough, head to the video store and check out the new releases.

So kick back and enjoy your five days of freedom. Finals will be here soon enough and you'll miss the leisure time you had over Thanksgiving break. Happy Turkey Day!