10 INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH YOUR FAMILY

I’ve been trying to come up with some new traditions we can start with our new little family of three. The first one we’ve instilled this year is going to pick out the tree together. I’ve come across a few other really cute ideas that I thought I’d share. Most are free, and nothing is too expensive…

1. Wrap 12 Christmas movies (or however many you like, I just like the 12 days of Christmas theme) and let your little ones unwrap one per movie night. You can always go out and buy more – but these can just be movies you already own! If you need help: here’s a list of the 40 best Christmas movies of all time!
2. Drive around looking at Christmas lights. There are always those neighborhoods that do it up big. Why not hop in the car, blast some Christmas music and go check out the beautifully lit homes?
3. Have a Christmas Pajama party! I love matching PJs (I’m actually sitting here wearing matching jammies with Mike and Ollie as I type this – ha!) It’s such a cute little way to get into the holiday spirit.
4. Bake Christmas cookies. We make buckeyes every year, but pick any cookie you like and make it your new tradition to bake a bunch before the big day.
5. Read about Christmas customs in other countries and try to include them in your holiday celebration. I found this website that allows you to click on the country and learn about the local traditions. Our family is mostly German and Irish… so it would be fun to incorporate something from our heritage.
6. Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen. It doesn’t even have to be on Christmas Day. Any day during the holiday season will do. Most churches also offer services for the displaced or disadvantaged. They’d be happy to have your help!
7. Make homemade ornaments. They can be as easy as writing on a bulb in  gold sharpie or as intricate as recreating those vintage style ornaments. I love how this blogger created an ornament to commemorate her baby’s first Christmas. I want to do this!!!
8. Have your kiddos draw Christmas pictures and deliver them to a local nursing home. I volunteered at a nursing home back in high school and it’s sad to see how many people are alone without family. Receiving a picture would brighten their day!
9. Make a DIY Advent Calendar. This video shows you how to make one using Dollar Store finds! Super cheap and really cute!
10. Create a “Grateful” box and have everyone write down one thing they’re grateful for that year. Put them all in the box and make sure to keep adding to the box throughout the years. How fun would it be to read over everyone’s notes through the years?

*Special thank you to Anne Jackson (@awjackson) for taking these beautiful family photos.

Love, Lindsey