25 Free (or really cheap) Christmas Activities

2020 has been a difficult one for so many but a lack of money or not being able to do your normal movie theater night, or other activities during the holidays does not have to mean a sad lonely season.  We will give you many ideas that you can do for little to no cost during this crazy year and still have a jolly Christmas season.  You will be sure to have some laughs and make some deeper connections with your family as you go through the list.

1) The hunt for the local Griswolds 

"Grab a thermos of hot chocolate and load up the family and head out to find the gaudiest set of Christmas lights that you can.  This one can also be a game that you play through out the entire season.  You could even have a prize for the winner like they get to choose the movie you watch on family movie night.  Have fun and enjoy the hunt for your local "Griswold" family!

2) Read a book 

As a family you can have reading time each night.  Whether you are all reading the same book out loud or each reading your own.  It is good to disconnect and do some family reading time.  Allow for some time at the end to discuss your book(s) with each other to promote more connections and closeness with each other. Or take it one step further and build a fort and read in the fort which will surely get any child excited about reading. 

3) Create a Holiday Greeting Video

A lot of us have experienced the slow deliveries this year so if you haven't received your cards you ordered yet or just for fun; instead of paper cards try something new and make a video card to send to family and friends.  A quick google search will find you with plenty of options to make a video card for free.  Whether you are doing a more serious one with www.smilebox.com or a funny one with www.jibjab.com it will be a memorable experience for not only the family but those receiving the card.  

4) Make your own ornaments 

There are many types of ornaments you could make whether you make salt dough or paper ornaments or another kind it could be a great day of fun.  Take it to a whole other level and have your whole tree be of only homemade ornaments and garland.  Try making some for the birds for another fun activity and special winter treat for the birds.  Cookie cutters work great for this activity or print shapes and cut them out as templates if you don't have any Christmas cookie cutters.

5) Bake Holiday treats -  Take Joy to Others by Leaving on their Porch  

Bake the treats together as a family. For an extra special time put some on a paper plate and leave on the door step of a neighbor or friend.  Baking doesn't have to be difficult for a super simple recipe mix together 1 Cup of peanut butter with 1 cup of sugar and 1 egg.  bake at 350 Degrees for about 6-8 minutes for an extra treat add a Hershey Kiss as soon as they come out of the oven in the middle of the cookie.  Super simple quick treat.  Try them you won't be disappointed and bonus they are gluten free!!

6) Have a Family Slumber Party under the Christmas Tree

Bring out the sleeping bags and sleep under the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.  There is nothing prettier than turning all the lights off except the Christmas tree and seeing those beautiful lights why not sleep under them and have a wonderful family night.  

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7) Hot Cocoa Contest

Make up new hot cocoa flavorings and vote on which one is best.  Some examples would be orange hot chocolate, peppermint white hot chocolate, cherry hot chocolate.  We would love to hear the others you come up with the possibilities are only limited by your creativity.  Don't just think regular hot chocolate remember white chocolate opens up a lot more possibilities too. 

8) Go for a hike or a walk

Go for a fun hike, but be sure to check the weather before you go so you are prepared, also be sure that the trail is not icy if you live where it is cold.  Or you can even go for a walk in a your neighborhood or a new neighborhood who knows maybe you will find your local Griswold house while you are out on your walk!  Just get outside and enjoy the fresh air!

9) Make a playlist of your favorite Christmas songs

It is always fun having a reliable Christmas playlist so be sure to make one for the holiday season and be sure and try out a few new ones to see if there is something new that you want to add to the list.  This can be a fun family activity that you get to take turns naming your favorite song.  Make it a memory game and you can't name one someone else already did!  The key is to just have fun with it.  

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10) Make Holiday Gifts for Essential Workers 

Drop off a Mason Jar of homemade potpourri, a plate of cookies, or a mason jar of hot cocoa mix to your local nursing home, hospital, or even fire station to spread some holiday cheer.

11) Write Christmas cards to someone in the military.  

A wonderful way to spread Christmas cheer is to remind those who can't be with their families during the holidays that you appreciate them and are thinking of the during this time.  If you don't know where to send them check with the local recruiters office or Red Cross they should be able to help you.  

12) Go snowshoeing or sledding 

Even as an adult I love sledding.  It takes me back to when I was a kid again and always is sure to bring a smile to my face.  I have also learned to love snow shoeing.  If you have not tried that give it a try.  If you live somewhere where it is cold usually the big discount stores carry inexpensive snow shoes.  If you live where it is warm try surfing or a run on the beach if they aren't closed due to Covid.  

13) Roast Marshmallows

Whether you roast them inside by the fire or outside in your backyard roasting marshmallows is always a fun activity.  To make it even more fun build smores or have an entire smores bar with different kinds of chocolate and treats. This is sure to be a night of great memories and be sure to play that music from the playlist you made earlier to enjoy while you are roasting them.  Can you remember who chose what song when it came on?!! :)

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14) Video Chat Dinner with an out of town Relative(s)

Just because you aren't in the same town doesn't mean you have to be apart this holiday season.  Schedule a dinner date and set them a place setting and sit around the table and talk and enjoy a meal together.   It won't be the same as a face to face dinner but you might just find a really fun refreshing time together and sure to bring a smile to everyones face.  

15) Hang Mistletoe on Doorways of Bedrooms and Garage (or whatever door you leave out of).  

You could even take this one step further and put it in every doorway of the house!  Yes it might embarrass or even harass the kids a little but let's not miss an opportunity this season to let our loved ones know we love them even if it is a quick kiss on the cheek it is a great reminder of your love for them.

16) Build Gingerbread Houses

You don't have to buy those expensive kits to make a gingerbread house.  You can make this a two day activity and bake your own pieces the first day and decorate them the second or take a weekend and do it in one day.  Or for a quick and easy way use graham crackers left over from your smores night.  They are perfect for gingerbread houses.  

17) Donate Old Toys 

Many local charities are looking for toys this time of year and what a perfect time to clean out that toy box before Christmas comes.  It is also a good time to talk to kids about giving to others.  Same goes for adult clothes.

18) Family Fitness Class

Take a virtual family fitness class.  There are many free classes online.  You are sure to find one that will fit the skill level for your family.  It will be a fun way to spend time together and have fun and even get some fitness while connecting with your family that is a win-win!!

19) Sing Christmas carols around the neighborhood.  

Take a walk around your neighborhood and sing Christmas carols for your neighbors.  This is a fun activity that would bring joy to others all while still being able to be socially distanced from each other.  You can use some of your list of your favorite Christmas songs from above for this so you already have some songs identified now which ones are you going to sing!?

20) Christmas Movie Marathon Night

Make a list of all your favorite Christmas movies or pick your favorite series like a Harry Potter marathon,  pop the popcorn, get the treats ready,  and cuddle up for a movie marathon or watch one a night from the list.  The kids are sure to have a blast at just the thought of having a movie marathon but will probably fall fast asleep after the first movie and you can have a nice relaxing night.  

21) Take a Virtual Cooking Class

Many chefs have offered cooking classes online for free during the pandemic and since many states are going into a second lockdown many of them have opened them up again for free.  What better way to connect with your family then cooking together and teaching them a skillset at the same time.

22) Take a Virtual Trip 

Google Street view makes it feel like you are there.  Or you can visit Googles Arts and Culture Section and visit the Eiffel Tower or the Taj Mahal.  Get out there and explore there is so much good that you can do with the electronics besides games and social media.  Many zoos and aquariums across the globe are having virtual live sessions of their animals.  Have you ever been to the San Diego Zoo if not here is your chance to go for free and not leave your house!  Wildwatch Kenya is another amazing virtual Transportation to a wildlife conservation area that you are sure to enjoy.  NASA even has an app that allows you to take a free virtual tour.  Whatever your interests you are sure to be able to find a virtual trip that you can take this holiday season.

23) Family Game Night or Puzzle time

Get out the board games and have a family game night.  Or you could try your hand at completing a puzzle as a family.  Either option is sure to invoke some conversations and laughs as you work together to complete a puzzle or compete to see who gets Boardwalk in Monopoly.  There are so many fun board games out you are sure to be able to find one that the entire family will enjoy.

24) Cut Down Your Own Tree

Many Forest Services offer permits for cutting down your own Christmas tree so be sure and check with your local National Forest Service and have a fun adventure to set out and cut down your own family Christmas tree.  

25. Start a Gratitude Jar 

Start a gratitude jar.  First take any jar.  It can be anything from a leftover (clean) peanut butter jar to a mason jar or even some Tupperware.  Decorate it for an added touch of fun.  Then cut off strips of paper to have handy and everyone write down something they are grateful for each day and add it to the jar.  You will be amazed at how much this will do for not only your kids attitude but yours as well.  It helps for us to remember that despite our circumstances this year we still have a lot to be grateful for.  Keep the jar visible where you can begin to see if build up of all of the things you have to be grateful for.  Share the idea with others and help them get a daily dose of gratitude and happiness.

What other activities will you be doing this holiday season we would love to read your thoughts and comments below!

We hope this list has inspired you to spend time with your family enjoying the holidays together this holiday season.  Don't let the circumstances of 2020 steal your joy of Christmas.  Enjoy it!!  Thank you for being here we are sincerely grateful for each and everyone of you!  We want to wish each and everyone of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.