The Ultimate Guide to a Budget Friendly Holiday Season

Holidays are the most wonderful, yet stressful time of the year. As the holidays approach people begin to feel their pockets shrink. If you are working towards financial freedom and paying off debt, your budget may suffer during the holiday season. Luckily, there are so many things you can do to have a enjoyable budget friendly holiday season.

Focus on Experiences, Not Material Things

The best part of the holiday season is the memories created with friends and family. If you are on a tight budget, you may not have a ton of extra money to spend on holiday activities. Here are some ideas of activities you can do to have an enjoyable budget friendly holiday season.

Budget Friendly Holiday Gatherings

You may have a group of friends or co-workers that you want to do something special with, but you don’t have extra money for gifts. Here are some ideas that can help you enjoy the holiday season with friends, co-workers, and family without breaking the bank.

1. Cookie Exchange

Invite friends over for cocktails and appetizers, than exchange cookies. The standard protocol, is that you bake 1/2 dozen cookies for every person attending. If there are 12 people attending the cookie exchange, you bake 6 dozen cookies of kind. You have a fun night, and return home with 6 dozen cookies of multiple kinds.  Since baking supplies are usually on sale this time of year, you can have an enjoyable night without spending a lot. Plus you get to try all sorts of different cookies!

2. Host a “Pinterest” Party Potluck

Invite friends or family over for a potluck. If you want to be creative, make it a “Pinterest” party potluck. The rules are that someone must bring a dish, an appetizer, or dessert, but they must try a new recipe they found on “Pinterest”. If you really want to go all out, make sure all the decorations and invitations are DIY ideas found on “Pinterest”.

A Pinterest Party Potluck is budget friendly, because you can make recipes using items on sale, and DIY decorations. Plus everyone brings something, so you aren’t obligated to feed everyone yourself. You also have a chance to use some of the ideas you “found” throughout the year and have a fun party!

For ideas or inspiration you can check out my Pinterest, make sure you follow to get great ideas all year round!

3. White Elephant

Originally a “White Elephant” party was a gift exchange, but the gifts you brought had to be something from your home (you couldn’t purchase the gift). In recent years, groups of people will have a “White Elephant” with a spending limit on the gift you bring (I.E. $5 or $10).

You can be really creative when hosting a White Elephant party, and decide whether you will have a pot luck dinner, or just serve appetizers.

You can also play fun games while exchanging gifts. Here are the official White Elephant Rules!

4. Board Game Holiday Party

Host a board game night. Have every family bring their favorite board games, and spend the night playing new, or favorite games. If there is a particular game that you love, you can host a tournament. My Mom and her friends love the game Carbles, they have several boards and will have “Carble’s” tournaments.

If you schedule your party for after dinner (like at 7pm) you can provide snacks and treats. Everyone will have fun, and you don’t have to spend a ton.

5. Christmas Movie Night

Another fun holiday gathering idea is to host a Holiday Movie night! If you have Netflix, or Amazon Prime there are a ton of random Christmas and holiday movies you can stream for free. Alternatively you can rent, or have your company bring their favorite holiday movies.

You can choose to have fun, budget friendly holiday snacks such as popcorn and candy. You can also do something creative like have a popcorn bar or a hot chocolate station.

Have everyone dress in their pajamas and provide extra pillows and blankets to make it a fun, casual, budget friendly holiday party.

Budget Friendly Activities

Activities and the experience of the holidays are way more memorable than any gifts. Here are some budget friendly ideas for fun activities to participate in during the holiday season.

1. Christmas Light Tours

I love Christmas lights, people spend a lot of time, energy, and money creating spectacular displays. Take an evening and go see them! Make a date out of it with a signifigant other, or your family. Listen to Christmas music in the car, and talk about the upcoming holidays. Before you go, research light displays in the area, because some people have spectacular displays that they advertise. Also, some towns light up their downtown areas, and have special events. Take time and drive through the more wealthy, or established neighborhoods. From my experience, the light displays in these neighborhoods are usually spectacular.

2. Christmas Lighting Ceremonies

Similarly with the light tours, towns, buildings, or organizations usually have “tree lighting” ceremonies. These events usually provide Christmas treats and have spectacular light shows. These events usually happen early in the season, so start looking for events now.

3. Christmas Farmer’s Markets

Many areas have special Christmas farmer’s markets around the holidays. These farmer’s markets usually offer a ton of interesting, homemade items, and winter foods. Even if you don’t have extra money, you can get ideas (and usually samples) for homemade gifts, and foods that are in season.

4. Christmas Craft Sales

Christmas craft sales are awesome because you get to see people using creativity to make products for a little extra income. If you can’t afford to purchase anything it is a good place to find inspiration for DIY gifts. If you are really good at making crafts consider renting a table next year (or selling your stuff on Etsy).

5. Church Plays

There are a ton of plays and theater productions during the holiday season. Some of the traditional Christmas theater productions such as the “Nutcracker” can be pricey, and may not possible to attend if your budget is tight. I have learned that many local churches will have free Christmas plays (they usually just ask for a small donation). A lot of protestant churches tend to have plays, but I would encourage you to do a search of churches in your area and check out their websites. Most church websites will have an event calendar or an advertisement promoting their Christmas play. If you have questions you can always call the church. From my experience most churches are extremely helpful and will volunteer information freely.

Give To Those Less Fortunate

The holiday season is a time to really be thankful for all that we have. Even if you don’t have a lot, chances are you have a roof over your head, and people that love you. Giving to your community not only helps those in need, but it also will make you feel happier, and more thankful about what you do have. If you don’t have a lot of extra money to give this holiday season, here are some ways you can give to those that need it.

1. Volunteer For Holiday Meal Events

Many communities offer free meals, or free food packages during the holiday season. Most of these events are hosted by churches (I know Catholics host a lot of events also). Even if you do not belong to these particular religious organizations, ask to volunteer. Help those that need to feed their families and provide a holiday meal.

2.Volunteer at Your Local Food Bank, or Donate Food

It is so sad that there are people that simply can’t afford food, clothing, or shelter. I encourage everyone to go through their pantry and find non perishable items they can donate (please make sure they are not expired). You can also contact your local Food Bank and ask if they need volunteers. You have the opportunity to help those less fortunate, so if you have any extra food or time please support your community food bank.

3. Go Caroling at the Nursing Home

If you love to sing, find a group of people to go caroling with. Contact your local nursing homes and ask them if you could go caroling there. Many elderly adults have lost their spouses and may not have the best family support. You have the opportunity to brighten their holidays by singing their favorite songs.

4. Donate Winter Wear

Winter weather can be frightful. There are people that sleep in the street every night, even during frigid winter months. I encourage you to go through all of your winter clothing and donate items you don’t absolutely need. If your coat is “out of style” or your kids out grew their winter clothing, donate it. Do you really need 10 hats and 5 pairs of gloves? Donate all your extra winter gear. You could help someone stay warmer this year!

5. Participate in a Toy Drive

I know that toys aren’t an absolute necessity, but many parents can’t afford to get their kids anything for Christmas. Whatever financial mistakes the parent’s made is irrelevant, kids should still have a magical holiday season. Even if you do not have a lot of extra money, you can go to the dollar store and pick up a few toys. If you have absolutely no money, contact your local toy drive or Toys for Tots and ask to volunteer your time. Help everyone have a great holiday season by giving what you can!

You Can Have an Amazing Budget Friendly Holiday Season

It can be so easy to get caught up in the materialism of the holidays. We often forget that memories made with loved ones are truly what is important. I can barely recall the gifts I received as a child, but I do remember the traditions, the laughter, and the magic of the holiday season.

This year I encourage everyone to spend less money on gifts, and more time creating wonderful memories with your family. Be creative and focus on experiences not material items.

Your budget friendly Holiday, could be the best one yet!

What are your favorite budget friendly holiday things to do this time of year?