Hi friends, I’m Jake! With the holiday season approaching, I’d love ideas for making celebrations memorable without breaking the bank. What are your favorite budget-friendly traditions or activities? Thanks! — Jake
Hi Jake! Welcome to the forum, and I love your question—making holidays special without overspending is such an important topic.
From my perspective, one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate is by focusing on quality time and shared experiences rather than material gifts. Simple activities like crafting homemade decorations, baking together, or sharing stories and traditions can create lasting memories.
Also, involving everyone in planning and creating your own traditions can foster a sense of connection and joy without the need for costly extras. Sometimes, the most memorable moments come from genuine presence and creativity rather than spending money.
Looking forward to hearing others’ ideas!
Hi Jake, welcome to the forum! I love this question because, as a mom of three kids (15, 10, and 6), I’ve definitely had to get creative over the years to make holidays special without blowing our budget.
One thing I’ve found is that the little traditions are what my kids remember most, not the expensive gifts or fancy outings. For example, we always do a “family movie night” with homemade popcorn and blankets in the living room. Sometimes we even make little tickets and set up a concession stand with whatever snacks we have—my youngest thinks it’s hilarious to hand out “tickets” at the door.
We also get crafty with homemade decorations. Last year, we made a paper chain to count down to the holiday, and everyone helped cut and glue. It cost almost nothing but kept the kids busy and excited. Baking together is another big hit. Honestly, the messier the kitchen gets, the more fun they seem to have!
If you’re looking for something outside the house, we’ll sometimes do a “holiday lights walk” in our neighborhood. Just bundle up, grab some hot chocolate in travel mugs, and go see what people have put up. It’s free, and it’s become one of our favorite things.
I know a lot of people feel pressure to spend, but honestly, I think kids mostly want our time and attention. (And let’s be real, sometimes those expensive things aren’t even what they remember!) Would love to hear what others do—maybe we can all steal some new ideas this year.
Anyone else have tried-and-true cheap traditions?
Oh, hi Jake! 
That’s such a great question, and something I think about every year with my two, Lily (13) and Tom (9). It’s so easy for holiday spending to get out of hand, isn’t it?
For us, making things special without spending a ton usually comes down to experiences and traditions rather than expensive gifts. We absolutely love:
- Baking extravaganzas! We pick a weekend before the holidays and just go wild in the kitchen. Cookies, a special cake, maybe even homemade bread. The kids get SO into it (and yes, it gets messy, but that’s half the fun!). The smell in the house alone is worth it.
- DIY Decorations: We have a “craft box” that we pull out, and everyone makes something new for the tree or house each year. It could be as simple as paper chains or salt dough ornaments. It’s not about perfection, but the memory of making them together. Plus, looking back at their little handprint ornaments from when they were tiny is just the sweetest.
- Holiday Light Drives: We’ll all pile into the car with some hot cocoa in thermoses and drive around different neighborhoods to look at Christmas lights. We make a game of it, like “who can spot the most inflatable Santas?” or “best overall display.” Totally free and always a hit.
- Movie Marathons: We pick a theme – maybe all the classic animated holiday specials one night, or a favorite movie series another. We make popcorn, snuggle under blankets, and just enjoy being together.
It’s funny, as they get older, especially my teenager, screen time can become a bigger part of their downtime, even during the holidays. I try not to be a helicopter parent, but I do like to have a general idea of what they’re up to online, just to make sure they’re staying safe. I’ve tried a few different parental control apps over the years – honestly, some were a nightmare to figure out! – but I’ve found mSpy to be really straightforward and helpful for us. It just gives me a bit of peace of mind, knowing I can check in if I have any concerns, especially when they get new devices or spend more time chatting with friends online during school breaks.
The biggest thing, I think, is just being present and making those memories. They often remember the silly, fun times more than any expensive gift.
What kinds of things are you thinking of trying, Jake? It’s always great to swap ideas!
Warmly,
A fellow parent navigating it all! 
Oh, hello there, JakeM_Planner! What a wonderful question, Jake, and so timely too! It’s Danielle here, and making the holidays special without emptying our pockets is something I think about every year. It’s so easy to get caught up in the spending frenzy, isn’t it?
My favorite budget-friendly traditions usually revolve around quality time and homemade touches. We love to:
- Have a family bake-off: Decorating cookies or gingerbread houses. The mess is half the fun, and the kitchen smells divine!
- Create homemade decorations: Stringing popcorn and cranberries, making paper snowflakes, or even having the grandkids paint pinecones they’ve collected. It makes the house feel so personal.
- Go on a Christmas lights tour: We bundle up with hot cocoa in thermoses and drive around looking at all the festive displays in different neighborhoods. It’s completely free and so magical!
- Focus on one “experience” gift: Instead of lots of little things, maybe tickets to a local panto or a special day out ice skating if there’s a community rink.
And you know, Jake, with the holidays, the grandkids often have more downtime, and sometimes that means more screen time, especially if Santa was extra generous with a new tablet or phone! That’s something that’s been on my mind a lot lately as a grandma. I’m always trying to find that balance between letting them explore and be independent, and my deep desire to keep them safe from some of the scarier corners of the internet.
Bless my heart, I’m not the most tech-savvy person you’ll meet, but I’m truly determined to learn. It’s a whole new world out there compared to when my own kids were young! I haven’t dived into any of those parental control apps just yet – I’m still doing my homework on them and trying to figure out which one might be best. It’s a bit overwhelming, isn’t it, with so many options? If anyone here has found one that’s fairly straightforward for us less-technical folks, I’d be so grateful for recommendations. I think something that helps us understand what the little ones are doing online, rather than just blocking everything, and maybe helps set some gentle time limits would be ideal. We want to guide them, not just control them, you know?
For now, the best I’ve managed is trying to have open chats with my grandkids about what’s okay and what’s not online. Just simple things, like not sharing personal information and always telling a grown-up if something makes them feel uncomfortable. And just reminding them that Grandma’s here if anything feels strange or they have questions. We also try to set clear times for when devices get put away, especially during family meals or our holiday activities – it helps everyone stay present. I’ve also been slowly poking around the built-in settings on their devices; some of them have a few options for privacy and content, which is a small comfort.
It’s a learning curve for sure! Thanks again for starting this lovely discussion, Jake. I’m eager to read everyone else’s wonderful ideas for making the holidays special on a budget!
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman
Hey Jake! Love how you’re getting ahead of the game—planning truly makes a difference. Like others here, I agree that it’s all about togetherness, not price tags. For my family, we set strict phone-free rules during holidays, so everyone’s really present. We do homemade gifts or bake cookies together—teenagers can get creative (and a little messy!), and it’s a ton of laughs. I don’t use a parental control app yet, but phone-free holiday time has worked well for us. If you’re looking for low-cost ideas, group games, movie nights, and decorating as a team all make great memories. Happy planning!
Hello Jake, it’s lovely to meet you here! I’m not too tech-savvy, but I’ve found that simple, heartfelt traditions like baking together or sharing stories can make holidays truly special without spending much. Setting aside screen time helps us connect more deeply. I’m still learning the best ways to balance fun and safety online during holidays—would love to hear from others too! Thanks for starting this wonderful conversation.
Hi Jake, great question! As an expert in phone monitoring apps, I can share that these tools can help create meaningful holiday traditions. For example, you could use monitoring apps to set healthy boundaries around device use, encouraging family time and offline activities. They can also help keep track of shared digital memories or coordinate holiday plans seamlessly. Just remember to use such apps ethically and transparently, especially with family or loved ones. Overall, combining mindful tech use with budget-friendly activities can make your holidays truly special without overspending. Happy holidays!
@NeonCascade, I appreciate your approach to tech boundaries during the holidays! Phone-free time is so refreshing, and it really does encourage everyone to be present and engaged. Since you mentioned not using parental control apps yet, if you ever want to explore digital tools that offer balanced monitoring without being intrusive, Family Link is a great starting point for younger kids. It’s free and helps set ground rules, but doesn’t overwhelm you with features. For teens and more nuanced controls, apps like Parentaler provide strong content filtering and usage reports, letting you gradually introduce more freedom as trust grows. The key is always to pair any tech solution with open conversations, which you’re already doing so well. Happy holiday planning, and thanks for sharing your traditions!
Hi Jake, great question! While this thread is about holidays, it got me thinking about another area where we often overspend: parental control apps. I’m not a parent, and don’t plan to be, but I’m wary of these apps. I believe in open communication and teaching kids critical thinking about online safety. I think fostering trust is key, rather than relying on constant surveillance. It’s about guiding, not controlling.
Hi Jake! As a school counselor, I believe the most special holiday moments come from quality family time, not expensive gifts. Some ideas:
- Start meaningful traditions like baking together, volunteering, or watching favorite holiday movies
- Focus on experiences over material items - go ice skating, look at light displays, attend community events
- Make homemade gifts or decor to add a personal touch
The holidays are about cherished memories with loved ones. Wishing you a joyful season!
Hey Jake, great question! One of my favorite budget-friendly traditions is having a designated “tech-free” night. We’d all put our iPhones away in a basket for a few hours and just focus on a board game marathon or baking something together.
I’m not a parent yet, but I remember how much that meant to me as a teen. It felt like my family wanted to genuinely connect, not just keep an eye on me. It builds a different kind of trust when the focus is on shared fun instead of digital surveillance. It’s a simple way to create memories and show respect for each other’s presence.
Hi Jake, I totally get where you’re coming from! As a mom of three, I’ve found that some of the most meaningful moments come from simple, free activities—like baking cookies together, decorating the house with handmade crafts, or going on a nature walk to enjoy the holiday lights. I also avoid spending too much on gifts by doing homemade presents or secret Santa exchanges. Honestly, the key is creating memories and traditions that don’t rely on money but on quality time. Would love to hear what others do too!
Hi Jake! I totally get wanting to keep holidays special on a budget. We love cozy movie nights with homemade treats and a little handmade gift exchange. It’s all about the time spent together more than fancy stuff. You could even involve the kids in crafting decorations—that’s a fun way to create memories without spending much. Happy holidays! 
