These Budget-Friendly Activities Are Perfect For Your Family

You don’t always have to break the bank to have fun

Samaria M
ILLUMINATION
3 min readDec 21, 2023

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Photo by Erwan Hesry on Unsplash

You may be thinking to yourself, is this holiday all about spending? Let me be the one to tell you that you do not have to break the bank to have fun on the holidays. These activities are perfect if you’re on a tight budget but still want to enjoy time with your family.

  1. Make a Gingerbread House
Photo by Randalyn Hill on Unsplash

This is a great way to have fun with the family at home on Christmas Eve or Day. It is a super easy activity to do. There are premade kits for gingerbread houses at the store. You can also just individually buy the ingredients for this activity too. Personally, I enjoy purchasing the ingredients because I dislike the candy the kits come with. The Dollar Tree is key when you want cheap candy, sprinkles, and other decor.

2. Matching Pajamas and Movie Night

Photo by Corina Rainer on Unsplash

Who doesn’t like matching Pjs with their family? This is a cool way to just relax and enjoy your family's company. Put on a good Christmas movie. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and more all have good holiday shows to watch. You can watch the classic “ Home Alone” movies too. I do that whenever I can’t find a good show. Taking pictures of you and your family in your pajamas can make awesome memories.

3. Take A Drive and Look At Christmas Lights

Photo by Juliana Malta on Unsplash

I understand gas prices are rising high and temperatures are getting cooler. Plan as you please and whatever works best for you do so. Create a list of the coolest neighborhoods with amazing Christmas lights. Decide as a family which one you would like to check out. Hop inside your vehicle and drive to the place of your choosing. Make sure you have an awesome Christmas playlist if you are planning to drive around. If you are deciding to take a walk through the neighborhoods. Dress warm. Take your time to enjoy the Christmas lights and take some pictures.

4. Give Back To Your Community

Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

You may be thinking, how will I give back if I am already on a budget? Giving back can mean different for everyone. You can give back by volunteering at a local food bank or toy drive. You can donate to these organizations if you have the funds. You can spread the word around helping others know more ways to receive aid. There are so many ways to give back to your community just by showing love and time.

5. Homemade Decorations

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Who needs store-bought items when you can just create memories at home making them? You can turn your home into a Winter Wonderland without losing so much money. Creations can include paper snowflakes, pinecones, and homemade ornaments. This can bring happiness knowing your home is full of unique decor.

When considering these activities just know that reducing cost doesn’t mean reducing joy. Memories last forever and they can start from your home.

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