7 Fun Yet Frugal Ideas for Christmas!
By John Schmoll, Contributor, U.S. News and World Report Dec. 15, 2014
It’s hard to believe, but the holiday season is upon us. In just a little over a week, people will begin to start taking time off from work to spend it with friends and family. Many will use that time to renew traditions they’ve enjoyed for years while others will be creating new ones.
There is a myth that you need to spend lots of money to have fun and that’s especially the case when it comes to the holidays. The good news is that there are plenty of frugal options to consider to bring a little bit more joy into the season. If you’re looking for some ideas, this list should give you a few ideas.
Gift giving goes hand in hand with the holiday season. The problem comes in when you have multiple friends or family to buy for and the cost really adds up. If you have a large family or group of friends who like to exchange gifts, consider doing a While Elephant exchange. You can make a party of it and get together in someone’s home. Set a reasonable price limit that allows everyone involved to get a gift without the obligation to spend more.
Judge Christmas Lights
Who doesn’t enjoy looking at Christmas lights? You can add a twist to this by going to different areas of your state or city to find some nice displays. As a family you can judge, for fun of course, the best house or best neighborhood. You can make it more festive by bringing some hot chocolate and your favorite snack. Best of all, your new tradition will cost little more than some gas money.
Make Your Own Ornament
If you like nice ornaments, you know they can get up in price. Instead of spending that money, why not make one for yourself? If your community has craft fairs, you can get some ideas by visiting a few and then going to a craft store to get the supplies you need. If you’re crafty this can be a nice way to create something nice yourself without spending as much money. If you have children, involve them in the fun as most little kids love making crafts.
See a Play
If you’re a fan of traditional Christmas movies like “A Christmas Carol” or “It’s A Wonderful Life,” then you’re likely watching them most years. Instead of watching the movie this year, add a little twist to it and go see a stage production of one of the movies. Many local communities and schools will often put on productions of holiday classics at this time of year for a reasonable price. Times will vary, of course, but this can be a great way to enjoy something you love in a new way.
Host a Cook-off
Parties and get-togethers are popular this time of the year, but they can get expensive for one family to host. Add a little twist to it by hosting a cook-off. The competition can be on anything you want – best soup, best chili, best apple cider and so on. It is a great way to have a potluck and lower the cost for all involved. You can even throw in singing Christmas carols.
Go to a Museum
Going to a museum might seem like the last thing you should do during the holidays. However, many offer lower prices during the holidays as they usually have considerably less foot traffic. Not only that, but many museums might even have holiday displays for you to enjoy as well.
Give Your Time
One of the best activities during the holidays requires little more than your time. Spreading holiday cheer at assisted living facilities, homeless shelters and retirement homes is a wonderful way to serve others who might be in need or a little lonely during the holidays. After all, this is the season of giving and by taking some time out to serve others you’ll likely be surprised at just how rewarding it’ll be. You never know, you might even find something you enjoy doing throughout the year.
The holidays can be expensive, but that doesn’t mean they have to be. With a little creativity you can enjoy time together with friends and family without breaking the bank.
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