Don’t get caught up in the chaos of holiday spending. It even extends into activities, with Christmas shows, holiday photos with Santa, ice skating at the rink, etc. Instead, vow to spend zero on Christmas activities, here is how.
1.Check your local area for free Christmas events. Just looking at one website and one local paper, I’ve seen more than 40 free family holiday events, from a tree lighting that include free snacks and hot chocolate, to a living manger show, to free Christmas crafts for the kids to free holiday pops concerts.
2. Organize a Christmas carol with your neighbors and friends. You’ll meet a lot of great people, get to know your neighbors better and have a lot of fun.
3. Reflect on the season with prayer at home. Pray for the people that send you Christmas cards, for the people you meet each day, for the people who give you good service throughout the year.
4. Take the Christmas lights tour. Map out where the best Christmas lights generally are in your area, or venture out to a neighboring town. Take a walk or head out in your car. Don’t forget the Christmas music and some hot chocolate and snacks.
5. Decorate with paper snowflakes. Do you remember how much fun making paper snowflakes was when you were a child? Relive the magic. You can even host a paper snowflake party and serve some light refreshments.
6. Do the commercial activities for free. Take your holiday portrait in your living room instead of the mall. Go ice skating at the pond instead of the rink. Put on your own Christmas play or pageant in your living room this year.
7. Have a holiday movie marathon. Some television stations host holiday movie marathons, but you can also check out a number of holiday movies from your local library, if you don’t have any at home. Include some classics as well as newer movies to keep everyone entertained.
Click here for more articles by Mary Ann Romans.
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