Christmas doesn't have to be all about big budgets, extravagant gifts and expensive days out. It is possible to create meaningful family Christmas traditions without spending big bucks.
We had this silly little tradition in our family before we moved house (6 years ago), where every year on Christmas day morning we would go and get a couple of sprigs of rosemary from our neighbour's front garden to use in our cooking (they allowed this, we weren't stealing, I promise!) We would go dressed in our slippers and pyjamas, armed with a pair of kitchen scissors, and it was always a fun adventure to see if we could go without bumping into a stranger (or neighbour) whilst wearing our festive sleepwear. When we moved, this obviously was no longer possible, but my kids still talk fondly about this tradition every single year.
That's the thing. Christmas is about those fun family traditions, way more than the big gestures. So I've created a list of some easy and free (or almost free) things to do at Christmas to give you all the festive fuzzy feels.
1- Christmas Day Walk
Pick a favourite local spot and head there first thing in the morning for some pre-partying fresh air. In our town, this spot is the local beach. Everyone dons their swimwear and several layers, packs a flask of hot chocolate and heads to the beach for a 10am sea swim. The atmosphere is incredible with kids and dogs and friends all gathering and running in and out of the sea. Of course, if you don't live near the beach, a woodland walk is an excellent choice, especially if you take a blanket and hot chocolate for a stop somewhere on the way.
2- Board Games on Boxing Day
I always make sure that someone gets a new board game for Christmas each year, so that we can spend time playing as a family on Boxing Day. Inevitably, we end up playing old board games and card games, and it's so much screen-free Christmas fun.
3- Visit Local Christmas Lights
Bonus points if you remember gloves and a flask of hot chocolate!
4- Go to a Christmas Craft Fair
Who doesn't love a Christmas craft fair? It's super festive, usually free to get in, AND it's the perfect opportunity to pick up some thoughtful, handmade and unique Christmas gifts and decorations. Every year in our house, we go to a craft fair and buy a new Christmas decoration each for the tree. We're building up quite the collection of unique and colourful decorations that perfectly tell the story of us. We even label each one (discreetly) with an initial and year, so that we can look back over our choices.
5- Christmas Baking
The perfect Christmas eve activity! Bake cookies, cakes and sweet treats during the day, and snuggle up with baked goods and a movie in the evening.
6- Christmas Movie Day (build a den!)
I'm not going to lie, our den-building game is pretty strong. There is nothing more fun than taking over the living room and building a huge den to watch Christmas movies. Our dens have grown in size over the years, from a blanket over the table to tying rope to the door and curtain pole and making a framework for every blanket and sheet in the house. You can even string up fairy lights inside and sit on beanbags and cushions.
7- Christmas Crafting
Make Christmas cards, tree ornaments or paper snowflakes to hang in your windows.
8- Decorate the Christmas Tree Whilst Listening To Christmas Music
Of course.
9- Have a Christmas Family Sleepover- set up camp in the living room
This works well if you've built an almighty blanket-fort (see number 6). Fun fact- we once pitched a tent in the living room and slept in there.
10- Charity Shop Christmas Jumper Challenge
Set a budget and see who can get the ugliest Christmas jumper from a local charity shop
11- Christmas Gift Challenge
We do this in various incarnations each year. Set a random but unusually specific budget and draw names out of a hat, so everyone has to buy a gift for their assigned recipient, sort of like a Secret Santa. Whoever gets closest to the exact budget wins (eternal glory, or perhaps a small prize, but the fun is in the challenge). Sometimes we set themes, or restrictions- for example, one year we all had to get our recipient a game and a hat, with a budget of £7.36. Receipts are essential. Vinted, Facebook Marketplace and eBay are useful.
What are your favourite budget-friendly Christmas traditions? I'd love to hear about them!