I’m not one to say things are cheap but while we continue to shop for the Christmas season (or start to, where are my procrastinators at?!), I find myself looking for new + old Christmas experiences to do this season. And Christmas shopping can get a tad bit expensive, so I thought I’d share a list of cheap, inexpensive ideas and experiences to do this holiday season.  

DRIVE AROUND AND SEE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. 

One of my favorite go-to Christmas activities that can be completely free! (For those who are more boujee and want to spend the money, you can search in your area for tacky light Christmas tours and rent a party bus! I did this years ago, paid for by family, and it was a blast!)

GET A PEPPERMINT MILKSHAKE FROM CHICK-FIL-A. 

This one is so easy that you can do it almost any day of the week! Well, except for Sundays. I need to go grab a milkshake from Chick-Fil-A, their peppermint milkshake is a holiday treat that should be on every dessert list.

WATCH A CHRISTMAS PARADE. 

There’s a Christmas parade in my town every year, and unfortunately, I had to miss it this year. But this is a great thing to do with friends or family in town that barely requires any money! Pick a good spot for your parade-viewing and enjoy!

DECORATE CHRISTMAS COOKIES WITH FRIENDS. 

I did this with friends recently and it was a blast! Put on your a holiday playlist, a favorite Christmas movie, and get baking and decorating!

VOLUNTEER WITH FRIENDS. 

Service is always a fun and good-hearted thing to do. It’s even more fun to do with friends!

ATTEND A CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE. 

I loved attending a late night Christmas Eve service at my church growing up, and so this is a great opportunity to gather friends and attend a Christmas Eve service at your church!

HOST A HOLIDAY PHOTO SHOOT WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY. 

Okay, a photo shoot with friends sounds like a GREAT idea, but also how about a fun photo shoot with your family? This can serve as a present to someone in your family. Maybe round up your siblings or cousins and do a “kids” photo, and gift it to a parent or grandparent. And with your friends? You can still use this as a gift idea, and frame the photo for each friend. 

ATTEND A CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING. 

Check out what your local town has to offer and visit the nearest Christmas tree! Almost any city has a big Christmas tree in their town square. It doesn’t even have to be the official lighting that night, you can just go see the tree when it’s lit any night in December!

WRITE CHRISTMAS CARDS TO YOUR LOVED ONES. 

This one could be SUPER fun to do with friends! Write Christmas cards (bonus points if they’re handmade!) to loved ones including family members, friends, and even coworkers.

GO ICE SKATING. 

This one could be amazing to try with friends, or even by yourself! Find a local ice rink and rent a pair of skates. Be sure to bundle up!

DECORATE YOUR SPACE.

Whether you’re by yourself or with a group of friends, be sure to decorate your space! It’s extra fun if you decorate yours and your friends’ spaces as well. The more, the merrier!

MAKE PRESENTS. 

Just some handmade gift ideas, off the top of my head, include a holiday hype-up playlist, crochet, or an experience. 

AND THAT’S IT! There are plenty of things to do around the Christmas season that you can do that don’t cost you a whole lot. Gather some friends, bake some tasty treats, go caroling, go ice skating, do anything! Merry Christmas!