AndiI’ve come up with free fun things to enjoy with the family during the holiday season. If you’re like me and most of the general population, then you’ll appreciate this post! Plus spending time with friends and family is what this season is all about. Here’s a list of Free Christmas Activities that you can enjoy this month.
Read Christmas Books
We used to read a different Christmas book each night during December. While I was building my collection, I would borrow books from the library to make it easier on my wallet the first few years.
Watch A Christmas Movie
There are so many Christmas movies to choose from that you could watch a different one each night. Hallmark shows Christmas movies all season, plus there’s Netflix and Amazon Prime. The library is good resource for this as well.
Christmas Movie Marathon
Why not turn it into an all day event?! Christmas pajamas, popcorn, hot cocoa and snuggling together under the blanket make for a fun relaxing day! If you don’t have your own Christmas movie collection, borrow from friends or the library. Some TV Channels will show Christmas movies all day too.
Dance to Christmas Music
Crank up your Christmas playlist and dance around with the family! If you’ve got teens have them teach you a new dance. Bonus video it for Tik Tok!
Sing Christmas Songs
“The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is Singing Loud for ALL to Hear!” -Elf. Enough said.
Email a Letter To a Soldier
Did you know that some soldiers do not receive any letters? Even over the holidays! Go to this site to send them a message.
Make Cards for Residents at a Nursing Home
There are many elderly that no longer have friends or family around. It means the world to them to get a homemade card and know someone is thinking about them. All you need is paper and pen. If you want to get fancier, construction paper, card stock, colored pens and markers make great cards.
Decorate the Christmas Tree
We make this a special event every year. It’s usually our first holiday activity either Thanksgiving weekend or December 1st. We watch the Polar Express and drink hot cocoa while hanging ornaments. Plus we collect ornaments from our family travels, so we can relive the memories with each other.
Host a White Elephant Exchange
These are so much fun!! Everyone has a different spin on this fun game. To keep it completely free, everyone must wrap something they already own. I’ve seen clothes with tags still on to holiday decor and used gift cards with money still left on them.
Donate Toys To a Charity
It’s a great time of year to clean out the toys no longer being played with to make room for the new ones. In fact a good time to go through the closets as well! Pick your favorite charity or a family in need.
Watch The Hallmark Channel
Seriously ALL day long Christmas movies!!! This is definitely more for the moms. Check out the schedule here.
Family Game Night
Family game night by the tree or fireplace will build some lasting memories! We have a couple Christmas games, but any and all will make for a fun evening.
Picnic Underneath The Christmas Tree
Dinner in front of the Christmas tree! Grab a blanket and your favorite picnic foods. The Christmas tree lights will be the perfect ambiance.
Read The Nativity Story
We read this once every season to remind us of the real reason we celebrate Christmas.
Drive Around to Look at Christmas Lights
This is one of my kids favorite traditions. We get in our pajamas, grab hot cocoa and head out to see all the lights. This will cost gas, so there’s that.
Attend a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
One of my favorite free Christmas activities! I think every city and town offers a free Tree Lighting Ceremony. We have several in the DFW area and most of them are free.
Visit a Live Nativity
I’ve been to a couple of these put on by different churches. They go all out! They recreated the town of Bethlehem with different shops and bakeries. Plus they had live animals with even a camel.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Churches will also host Candlelight Services on Christmas Eve. There’s something magical about singing Christmas music with candles.
Christmas Movies in the Park
Check and see if there are any local places that offer free Christmas movies in the park. There’s a couple places around here that are showing Elf and Polar Express. Also check the movie theater for $1 Christmas movie showings.
Attend a Christmas Parade
Everyone seems to hold a Christmas parade even the small towns. The big cities will have the big balloons that kids love. Small town parades are pretty awesome too. There’s a chance to actually be in the parade and they also throw out candy.
Make Paper Snowflakes
The perfect crafty decoration that’s so easy to make. Bonus, they go with most Christmas decor.
Camp Out By The Christmas Tree
This was one of our favorite kids experiences when they were younger. Sleeping by the Christmas Tree makes for a fun magical night.
Check out the Store Front Window Decorations
The department store front windows are usually really awesome with their Christmas decorations. Window shopping at it’s finest.
Indoor Snowball Fight
If you don’t have a set of indoor snowballs, you can be cheap and roll up your white socks.
Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Stroll through the neighborhood.
Do A Random Act of Kindness
For a ideas go HERE. Not all of them are free, but a lot can be accomplished for no money.
Go Caroling
Organize a few friends to stroll around the neighborhood to sing. Better yet, sing for the residents at a local nursing home or senior center.
Visit Santa
Usually you can visit Santa for free and only have to pay for the picture if you choose to get it. We have a few local events that have a completely free Santa experience. Picture and all! Bass Pro Shops offers free Santa pics too! Check out there site HERE.
Create a Holiday Greeting Video
Videos are all the rage right now. What better way to spread cheer than with a video greeting from your family?! Plus emailing the video to everyone saves a ton of money on postage if you usually go the traditional card route!
Volunteer
Another one my favorite free Christmas activities. What better way to give back than serving your community! Check the local food banks, soup kitchens and homeless shelters. You can also ring the bell for the Salvation Army! This requires nothing but time.
Did I miss anything in my list of 30 Free Christmas Activities?
For more Christmas Activity Ideas checkout this post!
