The holidays present the perfect opportunity for families to unite and do fun things together. Our busy lifestyles leave little time for bonding, but the holiday season is a wonderful excuse for making fun family memories.
As wonderful as the holidays are, they are also a massive source of money stress for many of us. Just look at the waterfall of ads that air in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas Day. We are constantly under pressure to spend vast amounts of money on gifts for our loved ones. And if your holiday tradition includes flying the entire family to a vacation destination, buying gifts for everyone under the sun, and/or hosting an elaborate meal, your budget can become overwhelming.
But it doesn’t have to be like this. The amount of money you spend on a holiday is never proportional to the joy you get out of it. I think it’s time to re-think the commercialization of holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukah. Are you ready to make this a memorable and joy-filled holiday season without blowing through your bank account and going into debt? I’ve got you covered! Here are some budget-friendly holiday traditions that are sure to make the season a little brighter.
GIVE BACK
The holidays present a fantastic opportunity to give back to society and help those in need. If your kids can learn this early, it’s a tradition they’ll observe even when they leave home. There are countless ways to do this, including donating items you no longer use or want, volunteering at a local food pantry, or adopting a family and providing them with a holiday meal and gifts.
PREPARE SPECIAL TREATS TO SHARE WITH OTHERS
Preparing special holiday treats like cookies will cost you little, and you can make enough for family and friends plus a little extra to give to a local home for families in need. Moreover, you can share the homemade sweets and treats with people involved in public services, such as your local police officers, firefighters, and other essential workers. Crank up the holiday tunes and get the kids involved as well. Our kiddos enjoy spending time in the kitchen crafting yummy treats for their grandparents every year.
TAKE THE FAMILY TO A LIVE SHOW
Your family’s primary entertainment source is probably Netflix, but have you ever considered heading to the theater for a Christmas play? Not feeling the theater vibe this year- then what about attending a holiday light show or tree-lighting in your town? If COVID has you in quarantine mode this holiday season then cozy up with one of the many virtual events being hosted from around the globe. Regardless of where you find yourself over the holidays, there are many festive events to help get your family into the holiday spirit.
ENJOY A CHRISTMAS MOVIE MARATHON
If heading into town is too much of a hassle, how about stocking up on Christmas movies and having a family movie night, complete with popcorn and hot cocoa? Don’t forget the mini-marshmallows! There are so many beloved classic movies to choose from, and even if you’ve seen them all, there’s always magic in introducing them to your favorite humans.
WRITE AND SEND HANDWRITTEN LETTERS OR CARDS
Modern communication is so digitized that some people can no longer craft a letter like people used to do in the past. Wouldn’t it be a great holiday tradition to put the smartphones and laptops aside for a few minutes to write a traditional letter to friends and relatives? Unlike an impersonal text message or email, a handwritten note is unique and tells the recipient that they are on your mind. This is a low-cost and simple way to spread a little holiday cheer.
CAMP OUT AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Christmas is all about being together, and a fun and unique way to create a sense of togetherness is by camping out around the Christmas tree. How about abandoning the beds and having a family sleepover around the tree one night this holiday season?
So, there you have it – you don’t need to spend tons of cash over the holidays to make them memorable. Consider kicking out the overpriced hustle and bustle that comes with the holidays by creating your own budget-friendly holiday traditions.