Ah Christmas… The most expensive time of the year! It’s all too easy to get bogged down in the pressure and stress of the season. If you’re looking to slow down this month and have some inexpensive Christmas fun, this post is for you!
Start with some atmosphere! Play Christmas carols in the background, put a fireplace channel on the tv, boil some spices on the stove. There’s nothing that will put you in a festive mood faster than setting the stage.
Decorate. If you want to add a few new decorations but don’t have much of a budget, then you can always fall back on traditional decorations. String popcorn, make a paper chain, or dry some orange slices. All of these things are simple to do, and cost almost nothing. They are classics for a reason.
Try some Christmas crafts if you are feeling adventurous. I bet you have all of the ingredients for salt dough in your cupboard already. Or if you want a different look and a lovely smelling ornament to boot, try cinnamon dough as a variation. Trim any trees or bushes lately? I have made some surprisingly nice looking wreaths from what was basically yard waste.
Find some free community events. Who knows what sort of thing is going on locally? Parades, tree lightings, Christmas markets. Not much going on? Try setting up some events of your own! No need for it to be complicated, it can be as simple as caroling.
Volunteer. This is by far the easiest time of year to find places to make a difference. If you can’t afford to donate to a toy drive, you could send Christmas cards. There are plenty of people who would be touched to receive a card. Everyone from soldiers overseas to residents of your local nursing home could use a bit of cheer (and a local place wouldn’t need postage).
See the lights. Walk or drive, whichever you prefer. Fill a thermos with tea or hot chocolate and go around one evening and enjoy the decorations put up by your neighbors. Some neighborhoods are well known for going all out. Some communities put on shows of their own, often in local parks. They are usually free or by donation.
Play in the snow. Go ahead, be a kid again! Make a snowman, or even just go for a walk on a snowy day.
Read Christmas books. A lovely tradition if you have children, but one you shouldn’t give up as an adult either! The library has stacks for you to choose from. Or you could start your collection the way I did when my kids were younger. I kept my eye out at thrift stores and bought a new book or two every year. Now we have a small stack of well loved favorites that we look forward to every December.
Did anything on this list strike your fancy? I know it was all fairly simple, but that was the whole point. When we are being bombarded by ads and by picture perfect versions of other people’s Christmases, it can be good to remember that there is plenty of Christmas magic in the little things.
Now, go forth and enjoy your December!
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