‘Tis the season to break the bank — but it doesn’t have to be that way! Sure, you may feel pressured to keep up with the Joneses. However, if we reflect on the true meaning of this festive season, spending time with family reigns supreme. Shifting focus from material things to the true spirit of the holidays allows us to craft lifelong memories via new family traditions. To aid in your pursuit of fostering connections sans the hefty price tag, we’ve compiled a list of five festive traditions you can do on a budget.
1. Pay it forward
With the holiday season providing a surplus of free time, it presents an excellent opportunity to give back to the community and support those who may have fallen on hard times. Beyond spreading a little holiday cheer, take the initiative to participate in volunteer programs to lift the spirits of others. From local food pantries, churches, shelters, or neighborhood schools, your family will feel good to provide others with love and warmth this season.
2. Get competitive with game night.
Host a family game night without the hassle of leveraging your resources. For example, if Mother Nature has provided fresh snow, take the competition outside. Start a friendly game of building the best snowman or a few rounds of the nose knows. Collect food items — from pine to cinnamon — and place each pick on a separate dish. Blindfold the players and watch as they try to identify the food items. It’s less about being spot-on and more about creating a fun vibe. For classic gameplay, opt for games like Twister, UNO, Go Fish, Bingo, and more.
3. Host a movie marathon
Slip into your favorite pajamas and gather around the fireplace and TV with your loved ones. It’s time to enjoy one of America’s favorite pastimes: film. From timeless black-and-white classics to modern live-action adaptations, we’ve created a movie list that your family will enjoy.
- Elf (2003)
- It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
- Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
- The Christmas Story (1983)
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
- Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
- Babes in Toyland (1986)
- The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
4. Try your hand at a DIY activity
Whether you’re crafting homemade ornaments, holiday cards, or decorations to adorn your living space, there are affordable options perfect for any enthusiastic DIY’er on your list. Stock up on craft paper, glue sticks, a pair of scissors, and all the toppings (glitter, puffs, confetti, etc) and let your inner Martha Stewart shine. Explore our favorite ideas below for a touch of inspiration.
- DIY Salt Dough Frames
- Printable Retro Ornaments
- Felt Christmas Sweater Cards
- 3D Christmas Tree Card
- Pom Pom Christmas Lights Garland
5. Bake a sweet treat
Nothing quite says “Happy Holidays” like a myriad of festive treats. The best part? Baking! From easy-to-share rolled sugar cookies to bundt cakes and the classic gingerbread house, baking is an affordable and fun tradition that can be passed down from generation to generation. Plus, it allows your family to have some fun in the kitchen.
It’s common for folks to spend above their means to create holiday traditions. However, there are meaningful traditions you can do on a budget that your family will cherish. All it takes is combining creativity and fun activities to invent traditions your family will adopt and share with future generations. Don’t be afraid to step outside of the box!
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