Everyone is watching the family budget these days and this can be especially important during Christmas season. You want to bring your family together and you need ideas on how to do this without breaking the bank. After all, Christmas is about a spirit of giving, good will, and cheer, not about material possessions. Below are some fun, free Christmas activities kids and family can enjoy without spending money. Don’t wait for Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, here are some fun ways to spend quality time with the whole family during this most wonderful time of the year.
Fun Family Christmas Activities
Enjoy Christmas lights.
Everyone loves looking at colorful Christmas lights. Many families decorate their homes with the energy efficient Christmas outdoor lights. Businesses take part by putting up light displays. Everywhere you look this time of year, you will find this festive part of the season. Gather your family together for a night or two of taking in a variety of Christmas light displays. Go for a walk or a drive and let everyone discuss their favorite display.
Go to Christmas celebrations.
Many local stores and businesses put on very festive displays that cost nothing to see. Check your local newspaper for what is available. Some businesses set up a gingerbread house display that is both entertaining and charitable. Some of these houses may be auctioned off with the proceeds being donated to charities. Local businesses and/or churches often put on a Nativity scene that is both informative and entertaining to witness. Plus, it’s free to everyone except the organization paying for the electric bills. This is one of those free Christmas activities that can actually have the added benefit of getting you more involved with your community.
Go Christmas caroling.
Who doesn’t love a good Christmas carol? Get your family together to practice a variety of Christmas carols. When you feel comfortable enough to perform in public, start entertaining your local neighborhood. Or, have your family sing at the local mall. Many local malls have a variety of holiday festivities that offer the opportunity for families to partake in the celebrations. Maybe your family can join a caroling group. Or, schedule some entertainment time with your local senior center or retirement community. Live entertainment is welcome, free and festive. It is also a great way to get into the spirit of spreading good cheer and doing nice things for other people.
Decorate a Christmas tree.
You might visit a Christmas tree farm and select a tree together. Decorating a Christmas tree can start this festive time of the year and become a family tradition. Give each family member a task with the final result of having a well-decorated tree. For instance, give your youngest one the duty of hanging candy canes on the tree. Tinsel does not break and the brightness and sparkly delights everyone. Choose a child to put the star on the top of the tree. Lift the child to help with this process and provide encouragement throughout this process.
Test out the Christmas tree lights to make certain they all work. Have everyone pitch in to place the string of lights around the tree. Keep your kids away from the electrical connectors, just to be safe. Assign ornaments to a certain child that need to be hung on the tree. Decorating the Christmas tree is a fantastic way to bring your family together without breaking the bank. For decorations, go to your local thrift store to find spectacular deals that fit into your budget. Or, put up the decorations you purchased during last year’s day after Christmas sale. You can always decorate with things like a paper Christmas tree on the wall and paper chain garland if the money for decorations isn’t there.
Decorate the house.
Speaking of decorating a tree, how about getting your family together to decorate your house? Putting up Christmas decorations is fun and making Christmas decor is fun too! Have some Christmas music playing in the background to get everyone in the spirit. Who doesn’t like singing along to holiday tunes while working? This is one of the top picks for free Christmas activities kids will enjoy. It doesn’t have to cost you anything. Put up your Christmas decorations from last year or try making your own Christmas decorations.
Watch Christmas films.
Bringing your family together to watch Christmas films can start a family tradition while providing entertainment. Top Christmas movies for kids can be rented or purchased at a thrift store for only a few dollars. Or, watch them on television for free. Films range from a modern Charlie Brown Christmas to more traditional films such as “It’s a Wonderful Life”. With so many films available, there is bound to be one or two your family will love. Make some popcorn, put out a plate of home-baked Christmas cookies and enjoy some eggnog while partaking in this fun Christmas festivity.
Read some Christmas Books Together
We love to read and re-read old favorites each year as a family. So go ahead and get out some of the best Christmas books for children and enjoy an evening on the couch with hot cocoa.
More Free Fun Christmas Activities:
- Check Pinterest for free Christmas Printables
- Story time with Mr. and/or Mrs. Claus (often host my libraries or book retailers)
- Christmas parade (often put on by the city)
- Winter walk
- Natural decor collection- if there is a resource near you such as a family farm, you may be able to go collect things like holly berries, pine cones, and other natural decor
- Winter crafts, like paper snowflakes or a simple Christmas rope wreath
- Volunteer opportunities (these may not sound fun at first but it feels really great to do something nice for others- help out at a soup kitchen, sort food donations at a food bank, walk animals at a shelter, whatever you like)
- Make homemade Christmas cards and hand deliver them when possible
- Make homemade hot cocoa and sway stories about Christmases past
- Start some new Christmas traditions
- Check our town for free holiday events like Candy Cane Village on Main street or Winter Wonderland at the park
- Your local home improvement store may be offering a DIY class for kids or families and they are often free and complete with supplies
- Check local museums for free hours and events
- Christmas charades (play using Christmas songs)
- Make an advent calendar with a different inspirational bible verse or quote for each day
- Take holiday photos of each the family all together
- Decorate gingerbread houses
- Make hot chocolate together
- Attend a church service
Conclusion
I hope you get into the holiday spirit and enjoy these free Christmas activities with your family. Do not let your lack of funds keep you and your family from enjoying the festive Christmas season. That is not the true meaning of Christmas. Fun, family and sharing to celebrate the birth of Christ is what matters.
Planning and looking forward to holiday activities can enhance the festive spirit and create a sense of joy and anticipation leading up to Christmas. Shared activities create opportunities for family members to connect, fostering stronger relationships and creating lasting memories. Many Christmas activities involve crafts, games, and other creative pursuits that can be fun and engaging for all ages, promoting creativity and laughter. Furthermore, holiday activities can be an excellent way to teach children about the values of giving, gratitude, and community. This can be done through volunteer work, charitable activities, or simply sharing moments of appreciation.
The festive atmosphere and shared enjoyment can enhance the overall happiness and joy of the season. What are your favorite family Christmas activities during the holiday season?
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