Holidays on a Budget: How to Make Memories Without Breaking the Bank

In the famous words of Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch, the holiday season is more than just ribbons, tags, packages, boxes, or bags. The holidays aren't just what you get — or what expensive experiences you can give your kids. Many parents are struggling financially this year with rising costs. When it’s hard to even buy groceries, how do we plan for presents, too? With the influx of picture-perfect holidays on social media, it feels like a lot of pressure. But it doesn’t have to be!

In my experience as a mom of three, it’s the little moments that mean the most to kids. If you’ve ever bought your kid a present and they played with the box instead, then you know exactly what I mean. As you prepare for the holidays, simply walking around the neighborhood or watching a cozy Christmas movie at home is enough to create lasting, beautiful memories for your family.

Sure, giving gifts is a fun part, but it's not the only part of the holiday season. In fact, the days leading up to Christmas are some of my favorite all year, which proves you can find magic in the little things. Below, you’ll find 10 of my favorite things to do with my family during the holiday season. Try a few out for yourself, or get creative and make up your own traditions.

1. Christmas Light Walks With Hot Cocoa

There's nothing hot cocoa can't fix, especially when it's topped with creamy marshmallows or whipped cream. Make some for you and your kids in travel mugs, then bundle up and walk or drive around your neighborhood to admire the Christmas lights. Play holiday music in the car and let the beauty of the season engulf you.

Ever since I was little, this has always been my favorite holiday tradition. Simply driving around to find new decorations and houses is so much fun — especially when the kids get so excited to point out things they see. And the best part? You can do this multiple times throughout the Advent season, exploring different neighborhoods to discover the best lights!

2. Make a Gingerbread House

Gingerbread houses are the bane of my existence — I can never keep the structure sound or the pieces from falling apart. But my kids love it, even if it is just an excuse to eat icing and candy.

If you really want to level up your gingerbread-making skills, use hot glue to assemble the pieces before decorating. Just don’t let the kids eat those pieces afterward! Even if (when) it's not perfect, everyone will have a lot of fun. It's a holiday staple for a reason.

3. Bake Cookies

No need to wait for Santa before you bake cookies this holiday season. You can bake and decorate cookies all month long!

Let kids practice rolling out the dough and using fun cookie cutters to cut out holiday shapes. Once they cool, decorate with icing and sprinkles for fun that lasts for hours! This is a great chance to try new recipes and bring out old family favorites. Remember, it's about making memories. With kids, even using a break-and-bake package of cookies is just as fun as baking cookies from scratch.

4. Watch Holiday Classics

What’s your favorite holiday movie? My family loves watching Home Alone, Elf, The Santa Clause, and, of course, The Grinch during the holidays. Turning off all the lights (except the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree), making some popcorn, and cuddling up in holiday PJs with your favorite film makes for a cozy night in. There’s nothing better during the holiday season.

5. Write Letters to Santa

Have your kids circle items on their wish list in toy catalogs, then write letters to Santa. It’s a beloved holiday tradition! After they write down their wishes, they can decorate their letters with stickers, glitter, crayons, and more. It’s part of the magic of Christmas!

6. Festive Story Time at the Library

Looking for some free holiday fun? Check out your local library! They often host free story times, movies, and other crafts for kids of all ages to enjoy. Not to mention, they have books for every holiday, so kids can learn more about what others celebrate and have fun reading stories about their holiday as well.

7. Christmas Crafting

It’s crafting season! For every age group, you can find something fun for the kids to make. Paint your baby’s feet green and press them onto a canvas to create a pair of “mistletoes,” which also makes a cute and heartfelt gift for grandparents. Toddlers can paint or color pictures, which you could turn into holiday cards for loved ones.

Older kids might enjoy folding pieces of paper and cutting shapes into them, then opening them to reveal stunning snowflakes that can be hung around the house. I also loved creating countdown chains as a kid to hang around the house. Just tear one link off every day until the holiday.

8. Volunteer at a Food Pantry

‘Tis the season for giving back! Many local food pantries allow supervised children to volunteer by helping sort and distribute food to those in need. It’s a great way to teach your kids the joy of helping others and the spirit of the holiday season. Be sure to check age requirements and policies, which vary by location, for specific guidelines.

If you do have the funds, you could also donate new toys to a toy drive, sign up to buy gifts for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, or donate money to a worthy cause with your kids.

9. Host a Game Night

Family game nights are my favorite. I never laugh so hard as I do when everyone is gathered around the dining table over a board game or a puzzle. Sure, getting a Draw 4 in Uno or losing in Phase 10 can sour the mood, but the moments of connection, joy, and laughter usually outweigh all of that. Plus, it’s a great way to focus on the present moment (and a chance to eat up all those Christmas cookies you baked!).

10. Involve the Kids in Holiday Shopping and Wrapping Presents

OK, this one might sound a little unhinged. I don’t mean bring the kids along to shop for their own presents (and spoil the surprise); instead, involve the kids in shopping for siblings, cousins, friends, or others. You can take them to a thrift store or dollar store if the budget is tight, or draw names so your child only has to focus on one gift for a loved one. Then, let them come up with an idea for their person and go with you to shop for it. When you get home, teach them how to wrap the present and write their recipient’s name on the tag.

My kids do this every year, and the joy on their faces every step of the way — from thinking of ideas to watching their person open the present they picked and wrapped — is what the holiday season is all about.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©FamVeld/ via Getty Images