25 Budget-Friendly Family Activities for a Joyful December Countdown

The holiday season is a time for joy, love, and creating lasting memories with family. However, it can also be a season of financial strain, especially for busy parents. The good news is that you don't need to spend a lot of money to enjoy the festive season. With a little creativity and planning, you can make December magical with budget-friendly activities that bring your family closer together.

Here’s a list of 25 frugal and fun family activities to create a memorable holiday countdown.

Decorate the Christmas Tree-Kick off the holiday season by decorating the Christmas tree together. Use existing ornaments or consider making new ones with items you already have at home, like paper, glitter, and markers. Most of my absolute favorite and most precious ornaments are the ones my children made when they were itty bitty or made at school. I know A LOT of people strive for gorgeous, impressive trees, but I strive for memories. Those are what matter. At least to me.

Create a Christmas Countdown Chain- Create a paper chain to count down the days until Christmas. Each link can contain a small activity or treat, or you can go old school, with classic red and green construction paper, and just have your children write numbers on them counting the days until Christmas. Whatever floats your Jolly Boat.

Write Letters to Santa Have your children write letters to Santa. It's a fun activity that sparks their imagination and excitement. I will not lie, normally we do this right after Thanksgiving. But this year has been especially busy with work. So, everything is getting done a little later than usual.

Make Family Christmas Cards- Create homemade Christmas cards with paper, markers, and stickers. It's a heartfelt way to send season's greetings without spending much, and the children will love it! They might not turn out the neatest, but the recipients will find them to be adorable and from the heart, (especially grandparents).

Create a DIY Ornament Make your own Christmas ornaments using materials you have at home. Try making salt dough ornaments or using recycled materials like old greeting cards. My kids love using cookie cutters with the salt dough recipe.

Salt dough ornaments are a fun and easy holiday craft that you can make with your family. Here's a simple recipe:

Salt Dough Ornaments Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup salt

• 1/2 cup water

Instructions:

1. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add the water and mix until it forms a dough. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour; if it's too dry, add a bit more water.

2. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5-10 minutes until it's smooth and elastic.

3. Roll Out the Dough: Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness.

4. Cut Out Shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. You can make stars, trees, snowflakes, or any holiday-themed shapes you like. Don't forget to use a straw or a small skewer to make a hole at the top of each ornament for hanging.

5. Bake the Ornaments: Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). Place the ornaments on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 2-3 hours, or until they are completely dry and hard. You can also let them air dry for several days if you prefer.

6. Cool and Decorate: Once the ornaments are dry and cool, you can decorate them with acrylic paints, glitter, markers, or any other craft supplies you have on hand. Seal with a clear varnish or mod podge if you want to keep them for years to come.

7. Hang Your Ornaments: Thread a ribbon or string through the hole and hang your beautiful creations on the Christmas tree.

Enjoy making these festive salt dough ornaments with your family! They are a great way to add a personal touch to your holiday decorations and create lasting memories.

Craft Holiday Decorations- Make simple holiday decorations like paper snowflakes, garlands, or wreaths. Use items you already have at home to keep costs down. Seriously, so easy, so fun, and so festive. Printer paper is perfect for snowflakes. Add some glue and silver glitter, and they turn out just gorgeous.

Family Puzzle Night- Work on a holiday-themed jigsaw puzzle together. It’s a relaxing and enjoyable activity for all ages. Not to mention, great for little brains and gets them away from the screen time. Us "big kids" too.

Make a Hot Chocolate Bar- Set up a hot chocolate bar with various toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, and candy canes. It’s a special treat that kids will love. We do this every year, and it's always a win!

Christmas Craft Kit- Use a pre-made craft kit to create festive items together. Look for affordable options at dollar stores or use materials you already have. I find super cute ones at our local Dollar Tree, and then either buy a few extra items, or use whatever extra craft items we have left over from other projects. Let their creative little minds just go for it!

Holiday Music Dance Party- Have a dance party at home with your favorite holiday songs. It’s a fun way to get moving and enjoy the season. Not to mention, wear them out before bedtime. 

Make a Gingerbread House Use a gingerbread house kit or make your own with graham crackers, icing, and candies. It’s a creative activity that doubles as a delicious treat. We have done this both ways, and I am here to tell you, you don't have to buy the expensive kits for the kids to enjoy it. You can easily piece this project together for under $15.

Watch a Christmas Movie- Have a cozy movie night at home with a classic holiday film. Make popcorn and hot cocoa to complete the experience.

Make a homemade gift for someone- Grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, teachers, they all EAT THIS UP. Homemade gifts are more personable and always come from the heart and tend to be much more budget friendly.

Volunteer Together- Give back to the community by volunteering at a local charity or food bank. It’s a meaningful way to teach your kids about generosity. After all, it is the season of giving.

Host a Mini Family Party- Host a mini family party with music, games, and festive snacks. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—just a fun way to celebrate together!

Visit a Christmas Market- Explore a local Christmas market, fair, or parade. Enjoy the festive atmosphere and free activities, even if you don’t buy anything. Our little town always has some type of free event going on for the littles to enjoy.

Create a Holiday Photo Booth- This one is so much fun! We have done this for birthdays too! Set up a DIY photo booth with props and take fun family photos. Use items you already have or print free props from the internet.

Read a Christmas Story- Gather around and read a favorite Christmas story. The options here are endless. You can borrow holiday books from the library if you don't have any at home, or there are many free downloadable options online.

Holiday Lights Tour Take a drive around your neighborhood to admire the festive holiday lights. It’s a magical experience that costs nothing but a little gas.

Bake Christmas Cookies Baking cookies is a fun and inexpensive way to bond with your kids. Use simple ingredients and let the kids help with decorating. I save this project for 5 days until Christmas, because if I don't, they are all gone before Ol' Saint Nick comes. We also make about 10-12 dozen cookies every year. 

Neighborhood Caroling Go caroling in your neighborhood or attend a local caroling event. It’s a fun way to spread holiday cheer. Be careful obviously, choose the right neighborhood, maybe try a nursing home!

Christmas Eve Box Prepare a box with pajamas, a book, and a treat to open on Christmas Eve. It’s a simple tradition that adds to the holiday magic. My kiddos LOVE this tradition. They look forward to it every single year.

Visit Santa Claus Take the kids to visit Santa at a local mall or event. Many places offer free visits or allow you to take your own photos.

Read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Share this classic Christmas story before bedtime. It’s a wonderful way to build excitement for the big day. 

Merry Christmas! Take a Family Photo!  After all the chaos of opening presents, and stockings I gather everyone around the tree and take a picture. This is my favorite part honestly. Then I compare it to the years before. I love seeing their growth, and how much they have all changed. From losing teeth, to hairstyles, to height changes. It always makes my mama heart happy.

The holiday season doesn’t have to be expensive to be memorable. By incorporating these budget-friendly activities into your December countdown, you can create a magical and stress-free holiday experience for your family. Enjoy the simple pleasures and make lasting memories that your children will cherish for years to come.