Over My Dad Body

The holidays are coming. That magical, wonderful time of the year when everything glows and sparkles. But, let’s be real, it can also be a bit expensive and heavy on the pocket.

Fear not! Just because we are on a budget doesn’t mean we have to say goodbye to the joyful and festive vibe. In fact, it’s our chance to flex those creative muscles and create memories without breaking the bank.

Here are 12 (one for each day) awesome, wallet-friendly ways to sprinkle some magic into your kid’s Christmas:

Get Crafty

Whenever I’m looking for some fun Christmas activities that won’t burn a hole in my pocket and bore my daughter to tears, my go-to move is busting out a day of holiday arts and crafts. I mean, what kid doesn’t love making things, right?

Getting into the holiday spirit doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. It’s the perfect excuse to get into some do-it-yourself fun. Check out these holiday craft ideas for starters:

Paper Snowflakes

• Grab some white paper and your trusty scissors.
• Fold that paper into a square and start snipping all sorts of shapes along the folds.
• Unfold to unveil your very own collection of unique and intricate snowflakes.
• Deck out your windows with these little wonders, or get fancy by stringing them together to make a gorgeous snowflake garland.

Handmade Ornaments

• Grab some salt dough and air-dry clay, or go a bit fancy with polymer clay.
• Time to get your hands dirty by painting, glitter-bombing, and decking those ornaments out with all the cool decorations your child can find.
• Add family members’ names, sneak in some special dates, or throw in a memorable quote. Turn those ornaments into little time capsules of unforgettable memories.

Mason Jar Lanterns

• Gather those empty jars—the more, the merrier.
• Break out the paint and give them a festive makeover, or, if you’re feeling extra sparkly, slather on some glue and roll them in glitter.
• Once your jars are decked out and looking snazzy, pop in some tea lights or battery-operated candles to instantly make any space warm and cozy.

Cookie Cutter Ornaments

• Grab your favorite holiday-themed cookie cutters and trace those festive shapes onto colorful paper or cardboard.
• Give those shapes a makeover that screams holiday cheer by decorating them with glitter, paint, or markers.
• Finish up by punching a hole in each masterpiece and threading some ribbon through. Ta-da! You’ve just created personalized and festive ornaments ready to rock the tree.

DIY Wreaths

• Raid your stash for fabric scraps or burlap, or maybe repurpose that old sweater you rarely wear.
• Deck out your wreath with all the extras! Think pinecones, bows, or tiny ornaments.
• Hang it proudly on your door or wall when ready for an instant warm and welcoming vibe for anyone who passes by.

Crafting your own decorations not only adds your personal touch but is also a blast. So, why not sprinkle a bit of homemade charm and keep those costs in check?

Whip Up Some Christmas Cookies

Let’s get into the sweetest part of the holidays—baking cookies! I mean, giving in to our sweet tooth is a blast any time of the year, but more so during the holidays. And guess what? It’s totally a family affair. From mixing the dough to going wild with its decorations to licking the bowl clean, kids, big and small, are all in when churning out some cookie treats.

Penny-wise Tip: Whip up a big batch of your favorite cookies. They are a treat for your little one’s taste buds and double as a budget-friendly Christmas gift for friends and family.

Allow your kids to get into the action. They can write a special note or even create their Christmas gift cards with the cookies. Loved ones would swoon at these treats even more, especially because your kids put their hearts into them.

To further save on money and time, you can try making batches ahead, freeze ‘em, and have cookie goodness on demand. No need to stress-bake with the kids at the last minute.

Cruise Around and Check Out the Christmas Lights

You know what could effortlessly add some sparkle to the holiday season? Starting a new tradition that is my daughter’s absolute favorite – walking around our neighborhood and basking in the glorious glow of everyone’s Christmas displays and lighting.

Find a fantastic street, park the car, and get those legs moving for the best views. Walking gives you a front-row seat to all the holiday magic. There’s just something enchanting about strolling past those colorful decorations, lights, and figures your neighbors have poured their hearts into creating.

Trust me, it’s a whole different level of festive when you soak it in step by step.

Explore Community Events and Activities

Various communities and towns know how to throw a proper Christmas bash. These events are brimming with free (or cheap) Christmas activities for kids and their parents. Budget-friendly Yuletide activities like Santa meet-and-greets, face painting booths, crafting cute Christmas masterpieces, and singing Christmas carols.

Most of these events combine their activities with small holiday treats, such as handing candy canes to kids from Santa to the warm embrace of hot cocoa for the grown-ups to help them soak up the festive vibe. Going to community events is an ideal way to relish some quality family time and make memories that will warm your child’s heart long after the Christmas decorations come down.

Set Up a Christmas Carol Night

Who doesn’t love a good sing-along? And let’s be honest, nothing gets everyone into a festive, feel-good vibe better than Christmas carols.

The best part? All it requires to get this budget-friendly Christmas activity rolling is some holiday music, whether online, through apps, or from your good ‘ol CD collection. Dive into YouTube, where holiday music videos come with lyrics as subtitles, making Christmas carol night easier.

Fear not if you don’t have a fancy microphone at home. That wooden spoon you’ve used to stir up your Christmas cookies can double as a makeshift mic. Who knew that kitchen utensils had hidden talents?

Hold a Christmas Movie Marathon

Nothing gets you into the festive mood better than a Christmas-themed movie night. Get cozy, put on your go-to holiday flicks, and indulge in those movie snacks you usually reserve for special occasions.

Movie nights are the best way to get the kids to settle down when they bounce off the walls excitedly. Plus, they come to the rescue on days when the budget requires a little more stretching.

No worries if your DVD collection is short of spreading the Christmas cheer. A trove of holiday movies is waiting for you on your favorite streaming service. So, grab that blanket, tuck your child in, hit play, and let the festive movie marathon begin.

Invite Friends for a Holiday Potluck Dinner

Cut down on the cost of hosting by inviting friends and family to a potluck Christmas party. Ask each guest to bring their all-time favorite Christmas dish, or you can assign them to bring an appetizer, main course, or dessert. It’s like spreading the culinary love around, giving our kids a chance to sample dishes prepared by everyone.

From prepping and serving to tackling the cleanup, hosting Christmas dinners can be a bit of a financial and time crunch. But with this game plan, you’re not shouldering the entire load, and it keeps the costs friendly and manageable for everyone involved.

Feeling the Christmas potluck spirit? Drop your favorite Christmas dishes in the comments below, and let’s get the menu planning party started!

Wrap Everything Up

Sometimes, tearing through the wrapping paper is what makes Christmas mornings memorable. And you know who totally gets that? Your little ones, especially during the holiday season.

Even if you’re keeping it low-key with the presents this year, go all out on the wrapping. I’m talking about wrapping up every little thing, from candy bars, underwear, and socks down to the stocking stuffers. It may require extra time and work, but it helps turn every tiny item into a mini surprise.

Get your little ones on board if the whole wrapping thing feels impossible to pull off. It’s not just about getting all the gifts prepped, but that one-on-one time makes it more of a blast. It stretches out the joy of Christmas mornings and adds a new layer of fun and excitement to Christmas Day gift-openings.

Mail a Letter to Santa

Help your little ones send their Christmas wish list to Santa!

Here’s a list of places where you can send your child’s letter to ensure they receive a special response from the man in red:

Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ

Grab your pen and paper, and compose a letter to Santa that’s brimming with holiday cheer. Make sure to toss in your full name and address because Santa’s got to know where to send your gift!

A special card straight from the North Pole awaits, featuring a big “Greetings!” and a heartfelt thank you for your letter. Inside, your child will find messages from Santa and Mrs. Claus, the reindeer, and those hardworking elves. Oh, and as a bonus, a gingerbread buddy recipe to help sweeten the holiday vibes.

North Pole Postmark, Postmaster, 4141 Postmark Drive, Anchorage, AK 99530-9998

Encourage your kids to show off their writing skills with a sincere one-page letter to Santa. After your little one scribbles their list into the letter, flip the page and create a personalized response right on the back (complete with a jolly “From Santa” signature). Tuck the letters into an envelope addressed to the North Pole.

Then slip in a second pre-addressed envelope, this time with your child’s details and a return address that says “Santa, North Pole” in the upper left corner. Don’t forget to stick a first-class mail stamp on this envelope. This exchange should make its way back to your home by Christmas Eve, just in time for the big day on December 25.

Santa Claus, PO Box 1, Santa Claus, Indiana, 47579

No worries if you sent your letter out a little late. The elves over at the Santa Claus Village and Museum have got your back. They’re ready to sprinkle some holiday cheer on any note you send Santa. Just make sure it lands in their mailbox 5 days before Christmas.

Simply jot down your Christmas wishes, pop them in an envelope with a clear return address, and ship them to the address above. Do this right, and your kid will be unwrapping a response from Santa himself before Christmas Day rolls around.

Be sure to photocopy your child’s letter before sending it off. It will be a sweet addition to your yearly scrapbook, perfect for reliving those precious moments.

Also, the USPS Santa Mail program lets kids receive a reply from Santa himself when they share their Christmas list in a letter. While you must add a personalized touch to your kid’s letter, USPS will take care of the rest. Your little one will soon receive the letter back from Santa, complete with a North Pole, Alaska, postmark.

Say “Hi!” to Santa

Nothing will lighten up your little one’s face more than meeting the big guy himself. I get it; the holiday season is incredibly busy, and visiting Santa might not always be on the cards. However, there are other tricks you can do to arrange a festive meet-and-greet.

If you’re running low on time and budget amidst the Christmas rush, here’s a handy solution. Check out Video Call Santa, a nifty free app that plays pre-recorded messages for your child.

And, much like when you were a kid, a quick visit to the mall shows that Father Christmas is still totally in on the action. Sure, you might have to turn down the pricey photo op, but sitting on Santa’s lap is still free, and most kids absolutely love it.

Practice Your Elf Skills

While ’tis the season to be jolly, why not mark this time to spread love and give back? Discuss with your kids the issues that really tug at their heartstrings, and find ways you can volunteer as a family. Who knows, you might like how it feels too much and make volunteering a regular family affair, not just something you do during the holidays.

To help cultivate the spirit of giving, I would usually urge my daughter to donate her still-playable toys to charity or share food with some of the people in our community. It’s simple yet very meaningful, as one thoughtful gift is enough to keep the warmth of the holidays flowing.

Think Christmas

Remember that Christmas is all about giving and soaking in quality family time. Forget the holiday hustle and bustle. Tell your kids that the real heart of the season isn’t wrapped up underneath Christmas trees but the celebration of the birth of baby Jesus.

Tell them to cheer up, even if the presents under your tree are on the lighter side. I always reminded my young daughter that the true spirit of Christmas goes way beyond the gifts she unwraps. It’s about that wondrous moment in the manger and the precious time that we share.

Keep It Simple

The holidays tend to bring out the extra in all of us, but here’s my friendly reminder: you don’t really need a house decked out like a winter wonderland, a mountain of gifts for the kids, or an expensive feast to make Christmas special. Keep it simple and focus on the simple joys. Trust me, that’s where the true meaning of Christmas lies. Remember that it’s not about breaking the bank but being fully present with your little ones during this festive season.