39 Holiday Activities For The Family That Won’t Break The Bank
As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to slow down and embrace the simple joys that make this time of year so special. We want to remind you that creating a magical and memorable holiday doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Some of my fondest holiday memories are from the simple, inexpensive yet fun activities we’d do as a family. Let’s explore some budget-friendly ways to celebrate this season without the stress of spending a lot of money!
1. Scenic Drive
One of my favorite parts of this time of year is the changing of seasons. A great way to enjoy the beauty of this chilly holiday season is a scenic drive with the family while jamming to your favorite holiday tunes!
2. Host a Potluck Dinner
If your family is anything like mine, it’s not a party without food. Invite friends and family over for a potluck where everyone brings a dish to share. Potluck dinners are a great way to spend time with loved ones without having to buy food for everyone.
3. DIY Holiday Décor
Get crafty as a family and create your own winter decorations using materials you have at home or from nature. Making your own décor is a great way to make your home festive without buying all this expensive décor.
4. Movie Marathon
Settle in for a cozy movie marathon with seasonal favorites, complete with popcorn and snacks. This could be a great opportunity to show your family your favorite festive movie from your childhood. If you’re looking for a holiday movie list, check out our guide for the ultimate top 10 movies you need to watch yearly!
5. Make Homemade Apple Cider
I love a good cup of apple cider, especially around the holidays. Making your own cider is a delicious way to celebrate the holidays as a family. It’s also a great opportunity to learn a new skill!
6. Volunteer at a Local Charity
A great way to show gratitude for what we’ve been given is to give back. Spend time giving back to your community by volunteering at a local charity or soup kitchen. This also provides an opportunity for children to experience the joy that comes from serving others!
7. Photo Scavenger Hunt
If your family is competitive this will be a hit. Create a list of items to photograph and split the family into teams. The first team back home with all the necessary items photographed, wins a prize!
8. Family Game Night
Gather the family for an exciting game night! Pull out your favorite board games or card games and enjoy some friendly competition. It’s a great way to bond, laugh, and create lasting memories.
9. Create a Gratitude Tree
Creating a gratitude tree is a creative and fun way to express appreciation. Place branches in a vase and cut out colorful paper leaves. Each family member can write down something they’re thankful for and hang it on the tree.
10. Build a Snowman
Playing in the snow is such a great and free family activity. Spend a few hours building a snowman together and see the creature your creative minds create. I have many fond childhood memories of building snowmen with my family!
11. Create an Igloo
I’ve only made one igloo in all my years of playing in the snow. It took many hours and was quite the accomplishment for my siblings and me. The best part is, even when the fun of building the igloo is over, it keeps on giving. The igloo can be the host of many more fun activities!
12. Make DIY Ornaments
Spend an afternoon crafting homemade ornaments for your tree. Use supplies like paper, glue, and glitter, or repurpose old items around the house. This is a fun way to personalize your holiday décor and can become a cherished tradition!
13. Winter Walks
When the weather is cold and snow is falling, it can be tempting to stay inside all day. However, winter walks are a refreshing way to spend time together and a great form of exercise. So, bundle the family up and walk around the neighborhood enjoying the winter scenery!
14. Homemade Holiday Gifts
Get creative and make homemade gifts for friends and family. This can include baked goods, crafted items, or personalized notes. Some of my favorite gifts as a child, and to this day, are homemade!
15. Neighborhood Christmas Light Tour
Gather the family for a festive outing to admire holiday lights in your neighborhood. This was a tradition at my house and it was easily one of my favorite things we did. I loved being huddled in a car together admiring the twinkling lights. There’s just something magical about Christmas lights, isn't there?
16. Read Holiday Stories Together
Create a cozy reading nook and spend an evening reading holiday stories together. You can choose classics or new favorites that reflect the spirit of the season. This is a lovely way to unwind screen free and connect with one another.
17. Visit a Local Museum
Check for free admission days at local museums and spend a day exploring. Many museums have family-friendly exhibits that can be both fun and educational!
18. Make a Scrapbook of the Year
Gather photos and mementos from the past year to create a family scrapbook. This creative project can spark wonderful conversations as you reminisce about the favorite parts of your year!
19. Dinner Dress Up
Make a regular dinner feel special by having a themed dress-up night. Everyone can wear their finest clothes or themed costumes. My family has done this throughout the years for Valentine’s Day dinner and it’s been such a fun tradition!
20. Winter Picnic
Pack a warm meal and head to a local park for a winter picnic. I’d recommend bringing some blankets to help keep you cozy. It’s a unique twist on traditional picnics and a great opportunity to spend time outdoors!
21. Visit the Local Library
When the weather is cold and outdoor activities are limited, reading is a great alternative. Spend a day at your local library letting the family explore new books. Visiting the library could even become a weekly or biweekly outing that everyone can look forward too!
22. DIY Family Photoshoot
Using, props, costumes, and creative backgrounds, set up a fun DIY photoshoot in your home or backyard. Just think how much fun your family would have getting to dress up and showing off their best poses.
23. Weekend Game Tournament
Hosting a weekend long game tournament is a fantastic way to bring some friendly competition to the holiday season. This could even become an exciting family tradition to look forward to each year!
24. Create a Holiday Playlist
Gather together to curate a playlist of all your favorite holiday songs. Play it while you're cooking, cleaning or decorating, and let the music fill your home with festive cheer!
25. Have a Dance Party
Clear some space in the living room and have a family dance party with your newly created holiday playlist. Dance parties are a fun way to get moving and bring some upbeat energy to your home!
26. Reflection Night
Set aside an evening to gather as a family and reflect on the past year. Share memories, achievements and lessons learned from the past year. Then let everyone share their hopes and goals for the upcoming year.
27. Backyard Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of items that could be found in your backyard and use it to create a scavenger hunt. While it can be hard to want to spend time outdoors in the cold, it’s good for us to get outside. An outdoor scavenger hunt could be just the thing to convince your family to go out and enjoy the outdoors for a bit. If you do enjoy being outside with your family, check out our other blog for more inspiration!
28. Family Talent Show
Encourage family members to showcase unique talents in a fun talent show. This is a great way to celebrate each other’s skills, foster creativity and have some good laughs!
29. Start a Book Club
At the beginning of the month, choose a book for the group to read. At the end of the month, hold a discussion where people can share their insights on the book. If you are book lovers, this could be a great tradition for you family!
30. Caroling
Gather friends or family and go caroling around your neighborhood. When I was younger, we would go caroling with a few of our next-door neighbors, so believe me when I say, caroling can be so much fun. It’s even more fun if you have an after party and hot cocoa is being served!
31. New Year Vision Boards
Gather magazines and craft supplies to create vision boards for the upcoming year. This is a create way to add some extra fun and creativity to the normal goal-setting style of New Year Resolutions.
32. Winter Hike
I often think of hiking as a warm weather sport but who says it can’t be just as fun or even better in the winter? Explore local trails during winter to enjoy the beauty from a new perspective. Dress warmly, and don’t forget to bring snacks for a mini picnic along the way!
33. Create a Christmas Countdown Paper Chain
Make a colorful paper chain as a family to count down the days until Christmas or the New Year. I’m obsessed with paper chain countdowns. We would make them all the time growing up. They are so easy to make and help bring added excitement to any event!
34. Indoor Camping
If you are fans of camping in the summer, why not keep the camping tradition alive in the winter? Set up a tent or fort in the living room for an indoor camping experience!
35. Snow Art
Building snowmen and igloos can only get you so far. Why not get a little more creative and make some snow art? Use food coloring or spray bottles to create colorful designs and turn your snow-covered yard into an outdoor canvas!
36. Holiday Swap Party
Organize a holiday swap party where friends and family can exchange gently used items or homemade gifts. It’s a great way to refresh your belongings without creating a bunch of waste. This is a great idea if you are looking for cheaper Christmas presents for your kids!
37. Trivia Night
Host a fun trivia night with questions from various categories. You can keep it light and casual or make it competitive with teams, time limits, and prizes. It’s a great way to test knowledge and have fun with friends or family.
38. Time Capsule
Create a family time capsule filled with memories from the past year. Seal it up and decide on a date to open it in the future. It’s a fun way to capture a snippet of your family's life at this moment. When you finally open it, you’ll get to relive the past and reflect on how far you’ve come.
39. Staycation Day
Plan a special day at home filled with activities, games, and meals that feel unique and festive. Turn your home into a mini-vacation destination without the travel costs. This is a great reminder that you don’t have to go far to have a good time!
The holidays are all about spending quality time with the people you love, and the activities we’ve listed are perfect for creating meaningful moments without a hefty price tag. Whether you’re baking homemade treats, volunteering, or just enjoying a snowball fight in the backyard, it’s the simple things that make the season so magical. So, grab your loved ones, pick your favorite activity, and make this holiday season one to remember!
Related Resources:
Creating Lasting Holiday Traditions as Newlyweds: A Guide to Building Your Unique Celebration Style
Get Cozy: 10 Holiday Movies to Watch This Winter!
Justin Fague reviewed this article. To reach out, please email healthyrelationships@usu.edu.