Ah, Christmas – a season filled with traditions. We all want to make the most of the season, especially with our kids and family. But it’s also a season filled with gift giving, increased expenses, and all sorts of extras. Your budget might be tighter than Santa’s belt, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a wonderful celebration. This year, consider starting a frugal Christmas tradition, making memories in the midst of the holiday season without spending too much money.
Bake Cookies
Nothing says Merry Christmas like cookies coated with frosting, sprinkles, and love. Pull out your favorite family recipes or find a new one online. Box mix, from scratch, or somewhere in between, it matters not what you bake, just that you spend sweet time together. Don’t forget to play some Christmas music!
Watch a Holiday Movie
Last night we watched both White Christmas and Elf. Even though we’ve seen them dozens of times, our family just loves reliving our favorite moments together. Pull out the DVDs hiding in your cabinet or simply stream a holiday classic on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
Buy a New Christmas Book
If you love reading as a family, consider purchasing a new Christmas book to add to your collection. Some of our favorites include:
- Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- The Night Before the Night Before Christmas by Natasha Wing
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
If you don’t have the budget to buy, you can always check holiday books out from the library, too! Now through December 5th, you can get $5 off $15 qualifying book purchases with the code GIFTBOOK on Amazon.
Plan a Progressive Dinner
Want to open up your home but don’t have enough cash to host a dinner party for your friends? Consider planning a progressive dinner. Each household is responsible for a certain course of the meal: Appetizers, Salads, Side Dishes, Main Course, desserts, maybe even a hot cocoa bar! You can see your friends’ lovely holiday decorations and everyone will end the evening full without having to spend bundle.
Go Look at Christmas Lights
Taking in the lights of the Christmas season are the perfect way to celebrate and most displays don’t charge a dime. Indianapolis has so many great opportunities for your family to see the twinkling of sparkly lights, from the Soldier and Sailors Monument Circle of Lights to Reynolds Farm Equipment in Fishers. On the southside, we never miss a chance to visit Middle Street in Greenwood. Ask on your social media networks your friends’ favorite light spots!
Volunteer Together
Christmas caroling at a local nursing home, volunteering to ring bells for the Salvation Army, serving a food pantry, visiting an elderly couple who don’t get out much, helping in your child’s school – you can make a difference this holiday season. Check with a local congregation or make a phone call to a volunteer organization service today. Instead of spending money, spend time volunteering.
Christmas Card Party
Haven’t sent out your Christmas cards or holiday letter? Why not host an evening together with friends who are in the same boat? Instead of a tedious task, you can share an evening of coffee, tea, or cocoa and excellent company. Bonus: you don’t have to mail the cards to your friends who are in attendance.
There are far too many frugal Christmas traditions to list! I’d love to know your favorite ways to make memories while spending very little money. Leave them in the comments.
Check out my ebook Keep the Happy in Your Holidays: 21 Ways to Save Time, Money, and Your Sanity This Christmas for more money saving tips!
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
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