Ahhh, Christmas- the most wonderful time of the year. Or so it seems, until the number in our bank account starts declining due to all the gifts we’re buying. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other type of gift-giving holiday this time of year, check out the ideas below for celebrating your loved ones without spending tons of cash.
Check Out a Local Landmark or Museum
Every town has at least one famous landmark or museum that’s worth visiting. And trust me, not all museums are boring. Have you ever been to the MET or San Francisco’s Museum of Ice Cream? If your city has anything remotely similar to those two, it’s definitely worth taking a look. Not only is admission cheap, but a lot of times you can score free or reduced ticket prices on certain days of the week or for being a student, senior, etc. If you need help getting started, check out a travel blog or Tripadvisor for your town’s top rated attractions. Sometimes it’s fun to switch it up and pretend to be a tourist in your hometown.
Bake Together
It’s not the holidays without some gingerbread men and sugar cookies. Gather together your closest friends or mom and siblings and get baking ASAP. The holidays are the perfect time to snuggle up to the TV with a plate full of cookies and a glass of milk. If cookies aren’t your thing, try making a big batch of reindeer chow or chocolate dipped pretzels. This is an activity that’s relatively cheap and not incredibly time consuming. Plus, you get to spend time with your loved ones whipping up something delicious to share together.
Craft Something
I know, I know. Making something seems like so much effort, especially when you’re lazy or not the “creative” type. Luckily for you, Pinterest has tons of easy DIY crafts. If you don’t feel like browsing through Pinterest for ideas, try asking around. Even if you’re not artistically talented, you’re sure to have at least one friend or family member who would be able to help you out. Can they trace the letters while you fill them in? Can you supply the mason jars and glitter while they do the actual assembling? While this is technically gift-giving, it won’t hurt your wallet too bad.
Take a Walk
Gloomy skies, cold weather, and an early sunset will keep you indoors all day. As comforting as it is to lounge on the couch, sometimes you need to clear your head and get your muscles working. This is a great choice because it can be tailored to your group’s activity level. Whether you want to take a casual stroll around the neighborhood or embark on a strenuous hike, everyone involved is sure to feel much more refreshed afterward.
Now that you have some fresh ideas, get that group chat going and invite those closest to you to try something new this season. Not only will they appreciate the time you’re willing to spend with them, but you’ll have memories together that will last much longer than that overpriced hand cream ever will.