Find Free Christmastime Activities for You and the Kids.
The holiday season is a time of fun, frivolity and family - and lots of spending. If you are seeking free activities for you and your family, or if your credit cards are stretched to the limit and your wallet is suffering from fatigue, it is time to take a step back and think about what the holiday as well as Christmas season is really all about.
You do not have to spend a lot of money or run up the bills to enjoy a wonderful holiday season and make memories your kids will enjoy for a lifetime. With a little bit of creativity, you can enjoy the holiday season for free and still have money left over for a great new year. Here are some fun free (or almost free) activities you and the kids can enjoy this holiday season.
If you are struggling, there are a number of free Christmas activities that you and your family can do. Having a low income, being unemployed, or living on disability or a strict budget should never be a reason for not having a wonderful holiday season.
Christmas has always been a traditional time for family, giving and sharing which can be costly if you are on a budget or trying to make ends meet. However, there are many inexpensive things families can to have a wonderful holiday season. Below are some fun and creative ways to keep the Christmas magic in your family.
Local or at home holiday activities that do not cost anything
Go caroling in your neighborhood. Singing Christmas carols costs nothing at all, and it is a great way to spread holiday cheer to those you know while not costing a dollar. It is 100% free!
Visit a local hospital, community clinic or nursing home. Spreading Christmas cheer to those who may be feeling down this time of year, including the elderly or sick, will make you, and your kids, really appreciate the blessings they have. See how others struggle to pay the bills.
Check out the Christmas lights. This one will cost you a bit of gas (if you need to drive), but the fun you have will be well worth the small expense. Just brew a thermos of hot chocolate, warm up the car and check out the Christmas lights throughout the area, which is free to do.
Go on a holiday light tour. Walk or drive your kids around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights display. There is no cost to do this (if you walk) and only a small expense if you drive. This is a fun Christmas activity, and your kids can judge which homes have the “best lights,” and they can decide on a winner.
Tell stories. Sit around the table and talk. Whether it is over the Christmas meal or opening presents, or anytime during the day, it is a great time to catch up. People tend to be in a better mood on Christmas, and it is a great time to just bond and enjoy each other.
Visit Santa Claus in the mall or another free location. The mall or wherever you go to see Santa might push those pricey picture packages to buy a picture, but you do not have to buy. Taking the kids to see Santa Claus is an annual rite of passage, and a great way to get an inside look at your kids' holiday wish lists.
Make homemade Christmas cookies and other holiday goodies, and even use a food pantry for the ingredients. Making your own Christmas cookies from scratch costs far less than buying the premade ones at the grocery store, and passing on your baking skills to the kids feels great. Locate more information on free food pantries near you.
Take a free walk in the winter woods or somewhere outside. If the only trees your kids see are decorated with tinsel and twinkling lights, it is time for a walk in the woods. A brisk hike in the cold winter air will feel great, costs nothing, and your kids can enjoy some healthy exercise.
Games: Christmas games are a great way to bond with family. According to various research studies, doing family activities like having a dinner together and playing games have been shown to increase kids performance at school.
There are many benefits to this activity. Children are energetic and curious and want to learn. Scavenger hunt games that involve clues and hiding presents would be a fun and exciting Christmas game activity, and those can be done for free. Christmas carol games, board games, and musical chairs are also fun Christmas activities that kids would love.
Volunteer at a soup kitchen. This is free to do and is a great bonding activity for the kids. It also help them appreciate how difficult it is for some families to pay the bills, or it may make them gain empathy for the lonely or those without a family at Christmastime.
Go ice skating. This one is only free if you live in a place where the pond water freezes solid, but ice skating is a fun and inexpensive activity even at the local rink.
Donate or volunteer at Angel Tree or Toys for Tots. This is generally run by the Salvation Army. The charity gives free toys to needy children, the poor, and struggling. Charities need people to collect toys, wrap gifts, and generally help in any way possible. There are many ways for your family to give back, including Toys for Tots, Angel tree, and others.
Make homemade Christmas cards. All you need is some construction paper, maybe a pencil or a couple of markers and the creativity of your kids. When the job is done, you will have a stack of Christmas cards you will be proud to send.
Make homemade Christmas ornaments. This nearly free kid-friendly activity is sure to become an annual holiday tradition. Just stock up on craft supplies and let the kids create their own special Christmas ornaments and decorations.
Free classic Christmas movies to watch
Christmas Movies: Spend the day watching Christmas movies on your already paid for TV service. Or get a show at a local library. Many subscription services like Netflix, HBO, and Amazon prime offers on-demand Christmas movies. Or try a free local network station, such as ABC, NBC, or CBS. Below are some Christmas movies suggestions that can also be rented for free at your local library.
The holiday season is filled with classic films, and some great modern ones too. Gather your favorites, pop some popcorn and get ready for a Christmas movie marathon.
- It’s A Wonderful Life (1946): This movie is a bit old but has a powerful message for those struggling. George Bailey is the main character who is facing financial difficulties. He soon wishes he was never born and was considering suicide. His wish was granted by an angel and he soon realizes that his life has changed and impacted many lives around him and people would be different if he was never there.
- Surviving Christmas (2003):This is a funny Christmas comedy movie about a young millionaire who paid a family to spend Christmas with him.
- Jack Frost (1998): This heartwarming movie is about a young boy trying to cope with the death of his father. He befriended a snowman that turns out to be his reincarnated father.
- A Season for Miracles (1999): This classic Christmas movie is about a struggling homeless family. With an incarcerated mother, a protective aunt goes out all her way to keep her niece and nephew out of foster care with the help of an angel. This movie portrayed the importance of having faith when things seem to be out of control and the joy of helping others.
- Santa Switch (2013): The main character Dan Ryebeck, is facing unemployment and struggling to buy gifts for his two kids. Dan had an unstable career all year and hasn’t had time for family, but his luck was about to turn after he audition for a small job at the mall.
The holiday season is a perfect time for families to get together and enjoy the abundance of the season. Luckily there are many free things to do to save money. You do not have to spend a fortune to enjoy a wonderful holiday season, and in the end it is the little things, like caroling for the neighbors or ice skating at the local pond, that your kids will remember.
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