Are those jingle bells I hear? Or is that the sound of coins rattling in near-empty pockets after an avalanche of not-so-affordable holiday expenses? *Gulp*
If you asked Santa for a big sack of cash this Christmas, you’re not alone! The financial strain of Christmas time is constantly battling the desire to enjoy as much of the season’s festivities as possible. So, how do you experience the most wonderful time of the year without making it the most “expensive” time of the year?
Here are some of our favorite affordable holiday activities, perfect for family fun or a cozy date night.
The Ultimate List of Affordable Holiday Activities
Warm and Cozy Indoor Fun
Crank up the Christmas music, put on your warmest PJs, and invite all your favorite people over for these memorable indoor activities:
1. Make a Gingerbread House
Build a gingerbread house with friends or family to challenge your icing abilities and decorative prowess. Looking to up the stakes? Buy a few kits and make it a contest, perfect for those with a sweet tooth AND a competitive spirit.
You can find gingerbread house kits at Walmart or Joann Fabrics for as little as $10.
2. YouTube Christmas Karaoke
Even if you aren’t musically inclined, these karaoke variations will fill your heart with joy and home with song. Just spare your neighbors the caroling trip!
- Regular Christmas Karaoke – Just sing! No twists or turns – keep it simple.
- Blind Karaoke – Secretly select a Christmas karaoke track and have a friend sing without knowing what song is playing!
- Guess That Singer—A blindfolded participant tries to guess who is singing karaoke. To change the difficulty, the singer can alter their voice and get silly with it!
The best part? This is an entirely free activity!
3. Christmas Movie Marathon
We can’t ignore a classic Christmas movie marathon. Stir up a cup of hot chocolate, pop some popcorn, and settle in for holiday classics. Visit your local library to borrow your favorites for free, or use free streaming sites like Tubi!
Throw in a twist and play a game of “I-spy” that prompts a specific action. Example: Yell “Christmas” anytime you see a candy cane in a scene.
With the library’s help and free streaming options, expenses come down to the snacks.
Score some popcorn and hot cocoa for $10 at affordable stores like Aldi, Lidl, or Walmart.
4. Gift Wrapping Party
Ribbons, and scissors, and tape, oh my! A gift-wrapping party is a brilliant way to get into the holiday spirit while preparing your presents for the special day. However, be careful who you invite! You don’t want to spoil your top-secret presents!
Ask participants to bring wrapping paper, tags, accessories, and so on to share. This offsets the cost and creates more unique decorating options.
- Use newspaper, brown kraft paper, or reused tissue paper instead of pricier, traditional wrapping paper.
- Recycle cards to make gift tags and other embellishments
- If you want to save on tape and conquer a wrapping challenge, try this completely tapless gift-wrapping technique!
5. Read a Christmas Classic
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, you read great books with your kids and your spouse! This may seem like an option for the younger tots, but don’t underestimate how moving these classics are in adulthood! (I’ve 100% teared up reading The Velveteen Rabbit, and I have no shame).
If you’re looking for a sign to check out your local library, THIS IS YOUR SIGN! Public libraries have tons of free entertainment materials, programs, and activities year-round for all ages, including affordable holiday events like pictures with Santa or Christmas crafting sessions. The Gloucester County Library Mullica Hill branch is an excellent example of a December calendar loaded with activities.
If you’re all snowed in or the book you’re looking for is in hot demand at your library, check out online options that provide FREE access to hundreds of books, ebooks, and audiobooks, such as Project Gutenberg or the Libby App.
Here are some of our favorite heartwarming, seasonal stories:
- The Night Before Christmas
- A Christmas Carol
- The Velveteen Rabbit
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- The Gift of the Magic
6. Game Night
Now, I know what you’re thinking. A game night isn’t all that Christmas-y. Hold your reindeer, people! Take a look at these holiday spins you can throw on a game night with family or friends. And all you’ll need is some scrap paper and a pencil or pen.
- Christmas-Themed Charades – The name says it all!
- Christmas Guess Who – Players guess what holiday-themed character they’ve been secretly assigned based on yes-or-no questions.
- The First Noel – Take turns coming up with a word that relates to a selected category but doesn’t have the letter “L” in it. It’s harder than you think!
Winter Wonderland Outdoor Activities
Feel like you’ll rip your hair out if you spend one more night indoors? We hear you! Brave the cold and try these entertaining (and thrifty) outdoor activities:
1. Attend Local Festivals / Parades
Local public celebrations are great because all you have to do is show up! At these (typically free) community events, you can see displays, performances, merchants, and more!
For our local 1166 FCU members, browse Visitsouthjersey.com for a comprehensive list of fun South Jersey events near you!
2. Neighborhood Light Walk
The shimmering lights and bright decorations are pure affordable holiday magic. Go for a walk around your neighborhood to enjoy the displays and the crisp, fresh air. Rate each house and compare your favorites! Walking is not only a free and enjoyable activity to do with loved ones, but it’s also a productive way to burn off those Christmas cookie calories!
3. Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
While you’re on your neighborhood walk, make it a scavenger hunt! Seek out specific items or see how many snowmen you can find! Take a detox from the screens and observe the world around you!
Holly Jolly Gifting
Some people dream about sugar plums. I dream about having time to come up with budget-friendly gifts while having my own affordable holiday fun. Good thing I can make that dream a reality with the recommendations below!
1. Bake Christmas Cookies
Between scarfing down cookie dough before it hits the oven and putting away some of your best bakes for Santa, I know how tough it can be to part ways with your precious sweet treats. HOWEVER, Christmas cookies make fantastic gifts for family, friends, teachers, coworkers, and so on.
For nervous, new bakers or those juggling toddlers and tasks, take a look at these 45 easy Christmas cookie recipes.
2. Craft DIY Ornaments
My Christmas tree is full of DIY ornaments that remind me of the special kiddos who made them for me. These sweet gifts add so much love, character, and personality to my home, which is why I fully endorse fun crafting creations for gifting!
Here are some easy (and adorable) DIY ornament ideas you can whip up this season.
3. Create Handmade Traditional Gifts
While it’s true that you can find plenty of gifts online with the click of a few buttons, knowing that someone spent time carefully making a personalized gift for me fills my heart in a special kind of way. Up your gift-giving game with meaningful, affordable holiday handmade gifts like these:
4. Design DIY Christmas Cards
With Christmas come cards, but boy, can they be pricey! Trim back on costs and sleigh your festive stationery with these helpful strategies:
- Have a DIY phone photoshoot
- Trim back your list
– Not to sound like a Grinch, but does your mom’s best friend’s daughter’s boyfriend really need a card?
- Make personalized cards for free on Canva
– Make it digital
– Send your card to however many people you want, whenever you want, for free!
Give Back, Together
It’s the season of giving, so it only makes sense to give back! There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer this time of year, whether solo or with family and friends. Spread love and Christmas cheer with the following options:
Soup Kitchens, Pantries, and Food Banks
Animal Shelters
Toy Drives
Drop Off Handmade Christmas Cards to Local Senior Living Homes
1166 FCU
We care about our members! If you’re struggling to manage your finances or need some expert advice, our certified financial counselors are here to help. Contact our team today!
