30 Fabulous (and Practically Free) Things to Do with Your Family This Holiday Season

Visit the local spot with the best lights 

Go for a stroll or a drive-by—it's delightful either way. 

Then string twinklies outside your own home 

Let the kids art direct. 

Bake sugar cookies

One adorable army of sugary snowmen, comin' right up. 

Visit a Christmas tree farm 

Or you know, an evergreen forest. 

Drink hot cocoa with marshmallows 

Preferably while wearing festive pajamas. 

Send holiday cards 

Bonus points for enclosing confetti in the envelopes. 

Attend a community play or concert 

Warm fuzzies, guaranteed. 

Go to a local tree-lighting ceremony 

Hot ciders in hand. 

Scrapbook your family recipes 

And let the kids pick one to make. 

Look at old holiday photos and family movies  

“See how little Nana was!”

Read favorite holiday books together 

Aka The Nutcracker and The Polar Express on repeat. 

Have a holiday karaoke night

Be prepared to have "Jingle Bells" stuck in your head until March. 

Make homemade eggnog 

Let the little ones take turns stirring. 

Decorate a winter wreath for the front door 

The more baubles, the merrier.

Have the kids collect clothing and toys to donate 

Teach them the meaning of giving. 

Make a gingerbread house

Totally OK to use a store-bought kit. 

Have a family movie marathon 

Nothing better than Home Alone on a crappy winter’s day. 

Go ice-skating 

Don’t forget the woolly mittens. 

Take out holiday books from the library 

And learn about how other cultures celebrate the season. 

Then make a recipe you learned about 

Latke party! 

DIY this year’s wrapping paper 

How special? 

Make ornaments together 

With backyard treasures like pinecones and acorns. 

 Go see your local 'Santa Claus'

And be sure to document the hilarity.  

Make a fire 

And have a cozy day of holiday tunes and hangin’. 

Play in the snow

If you’re lucky enough to have some. (Sledding! Snow angels! Snowmen!)

Help the kids write letters to Santa

And do your best to manage their expectations.  

Make outdoor decor for birds 

Popcorn cranberry garland time. 

Go caroling 

And be sure to visit your elderly neighbors. 

Pick out the tree 

Go ahead, buy the big guy. 

Then trim it. 

Downright magical—no matter your age.