The holiday season is a wonderful time to create lasting memories with your family without spending a lot of money. I find that I am stressed out around the holidays, between all the planning and spending so much money. It is good to take a step back and connect with your family with some quality time. Spending time together should not have to cost money!

Here are some free or inexpensive activities that you can enjoy together during Christmastime.

Make Ornaments & Decorations

Make your own Christmas ornaments or decorations using materials you already have at home, such as paper, cardboard, or natural items like pine cones and twigs.

Decorate Together

Spend an evening decorating the Christmas tree together, using both homemade and existing decorations.

Christmas Light Tour

Take a walk or drive around your neighborhood to admire the festive Christmas lights and decorations.

Visit local public light displays and events, which are often free or have a minimal cost.

Baking and Cooking

Bake and decorate Christmas cookies together. Use cookie cutters in festive shapes and have fun with icing and sprinkles. Cook a family meal or dessert using traditional holiday recipes. This is a great way to share and pass down family traditions.

Crafting

Make holiday crafts such as wreaths, garlands, or paper snowflakes. There are plenty of free tutorials online for inspiration. Create homemade Christmas cards to send to friends and family. This is a fun activity for kids and adults alike.

Christmas Movies and Music

Have a Christmas movie marathon with classic holiday films. Make some popcorn and hot cocoa for a cozy night in. Sing carols at home with family and friends, or join a neighborhood caroling group.

Random Acts of Kindness

Come up with some random acts of kindness and distribute them around your community. This could even be cards or special notes.

Do a Puzzle or Diamond Painting Together

Set up a puzzle that everyone can work on. You can also do a diamond painting. Pick something festive!

Outdoor Activities

Find a local ice skating rink. Many towns have free or low-cost outdoor rinks during the holiday season. If you live in an area with snow, go sledding, build a snowman, or have a snowball fight.

Go Hiking / Visit a Nature Center

A winter hike is a fun way to go exploring. You may even find snowshoe rentals and interesting wildlife, for a winter hiking experience that is memorable and unlike the rest of the year.

Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Create a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt inside your home. Hide small treats or ornaments for the kids to find. If the weather permits, organize an outdoor scavenger hunt looking for holiday decorations or nature items.

Story Time

Read Christmas stories together as a family. You can find many free or inexpensive holiday books at your local library or online. Encourage family members to share their own holiday stories or create a new holiday tale together.

Volunteer Together

Volunteer as a family at a local charity or community center. Helping others can be a rewarding way to spend time together during the holiday season. Organize a donation drive for toys, clothes, or food and deliver the collected items to a local shelter or food bank.

Game Night

Have a family game night with your favorite board games or card games. Play holiday-themed games like Christmas trivia, charades, or Pictionary.

Sew Balsam Sachets

Make your home smell wonderful with some balsam sachets. These are easy to make, using small pieces of fabric and balsam needles.

Make DIY Pomander Balls

Pomander Balls are also a fun craft that you can hang up for a while to enjoy the festive scent.

Hot Cocoa Bar

Set up a hot cocoa station to enjoy, with a variety of toppings and flavors. This could be whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate syrup, caramel, etc.