Five West Chester fixes for the holiday blues

The holidays can be tough.  There's family, friends and all-around busyness.  It's a cliché, but sometimes you need a vacation from a vacation.  Good thing West Chester has a lot to offer.  Whether you just want to get out of the house for a while, or you're filled with the holiday spirit to do something different, there are a lot of options.

Food, food and more food: There's a lot of eating that goes on during the holidays, and if you're full up on Christmas cookies and left over turkey there's always a healthy alternative at .  Or, if you're in the mood for something south of the border try .  There are a lot of options out there.

Volunteer:  There are plenty of opportunities in the West Chester Area to volunteer.  Nothing can cure the holiday blues quicker than giving back.  Tons of local organizations in the area seek volunteers all year round.  However, for some, like the Chester County Food Bank, the holidays can be the busiest time of the year.  They could use the help.

The library is always quiet: No matter how out-of-control things get at home, no crazy relative can violate the inner sanctum of the .  Borrow a book, movie or c.d., or just hang out and enjoy the quiet. 

High school sports: This may seem like an odd suggestion, especially if you don't have kids who attend school, but most high school sporting events are open to the public.  They're a cheap and exciting way to kill an hour or two.

There's always shopping: People are probably burnt out from shopping by the time the holidays roll around, but downtown West Chester offers an alternative to the craziness of malls and larger stores.  Visit a boutique you've never been to while enjoying the quaint feel of downtown West Chester.