We are quickly approaching the end of the year, and for some of us, that can mean having a ton of vacation days that won’t roll over. So while you’re trying to figure out when and how to use up your days so they don’t go to waste, keep these ideas in mind for how to use up your vacation days.

Well, go on vacation!

Pretty simple, right? We think so! When you’re trying to figure out how to use your vacation days, you might as well take a vacation, considering you don’t have any other obligations to stay in town.

Get holiday shopping done.

If you’re planning on using your vacation days within the last couple weeks of the year, why not use them to get the rest of your holiday shopping done? You know it just stresses you out more to go shopping after work or on a busy day.

 Shopping Bags

Do some intensive cleaning in your house.

You wouldn’t think of this as a “vacation,” but when else do you have the time to do some deep cleaning in your home and go through your drawers to throw out old things? Vacation time is the best time to do it!

 Plan a post-Christmas getaway.

Perhaps you can’t break away before Christmas, why not plan a short getaway afterwards? Head somewhere warm…or if you live in a warm state, head somewhere cold!

 Chicago Fireworks

Plan something for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

One of the best ways to use your vacation time is to plan fun things, so find some place fun to go or something fun to do for New Year’s Even and New Year’s Day!

 Spend time with family.

If you have a family, it’s likely that your children are already off of school, so take those days off and spend some time with your family and find fun activities to do together.

Family With a Snowman 

Spend time doing your hobbies.

Perhaps you don’t have a family, or even if you do, why not spend those vacation days doing something you enjoy? Do you love to paint? Maybe you’ve wanted to take a cooking class – invest your time in, well, you!

 Get together with friends.

We love our friends and most of the time, we don’t get nearly as much time with them as we’d like. Use your vacation time to meet your friends out for dinner and a few drinks!

 Father & Son at the Campfire

Do something you haven’t done before.

Have you always wanted to go ice-skating? Maybe you would love to go snowboarding or skiing? Take your vacation day to try something new!

 Plan a holiday party.

If you’re planning on using your vacation time to stay home, plan a holiday party at your house! This is a great way to get your friends and family together in one place, if you want that!

How are you planning on using your vacation days? Tell us about it in the comments below!