30 Fabulous (and Practically Free) Things to Do with Your Family This Holiday Season
Hooray! It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Get your whole brood in the holiday spirit with these 30 festive (and pretty much free) family activities.
1.
Visit the local spot with the best lights
Go for a stroll or a drive-by—it's delightful either way.
2.
Then string twinklies outside your own home
Let the kids art direct.
3.
Bake sugar cookies
One adorable army of sugary snowmen, comin' right up.
4.
Visit a Christmas tree farm
Or you know, an evergreen forest.
5.
Drink hot cocoa with marshmallows
Preferably while wearing festive pajamas.
6.
Send holiday cards
Bonus points for enclosing confetti in the envelopes.
7.
Attend a community play or concert
Warm fuzzies, guaranteed.
8.
Go to a local tree-lighting ceremony
Hot ciders in hand.
9.
Scrapbook your family recipes
And let the kids pick one to make.
10.
Look at old holiday photos and family movies
“See how little Nana was!”
11.
Read favorite holiday books together
Aka The Nutcracker and The Polar Express on repeat.
12.
Have a holiday karaoke night
Be prepared to have "Jingle Bells" stuck in your head until March.
13.
Make homemade eggnog
Let the little ones take turns stirring.
14.
Decorate a winter wreath for the front door
The more baubles, the merrier.
15.
Have the kids collect clothing and toys to donate
Teach them the meaning of giving.
16.
Make a gingerbread house
Totally OK to use a store-bought kit.
17.
Have a family movie marathon
Nothing better than Home Alone on a crappy winter’s day.
18.
Go ice-skating
Don’t forget the woolly mittens.
19.
Take out holiday books from the library
And learn about how other cultures celebrate the season.
20.
Then make a recipe you learned about
Latke party!
21.
DIY this year’s wrapping paper
How special?
22.
Make ornaments together
With backyard treasures like pinecones and acorns.
23.
Go see your local 'Santa Claus'
And be sure to document the hilarity.
24.
Make a fire
And have a cozy day of holiday tunes and hangin’.
25.
Play in the snow
If you’re lucky enough to have some. (Sledding! Snow angels! Snowmen!)
26.
Help the kids write letters to Santa
And do your best to manage their expectations.
27.
Make outdoor decor for birds
Popcorn cranberry garland time.
28.
Go caroling
And be sure to visit your elderly neighbors.
29.
Pick out the tree
Go ahead, buy the big guy.
30.
Then trim it.
Downright magical—no matter your age.