Cheap and Fun Christmas Activities for All Ages

Ah, it's that magical time of year again, The Holidays! With all due respect to the other holidays during this season, Christmas is my favorite. Christmas always brings me back to childhood memories that seem like they were made just yesterday. I can already smell the pine coming from the Christmas tree and the sugar cookies baking in the oven. I can picture all the decorations and lights I've ever come across and hear all my favorite Christmas songs playing in the background. But most of all, I can recall all the fun times I've spent with family and friends building gingerbread houses, ice skating out in the cold, and watching Christmas movies all day and night. It's these traditions that make Christmas such a wonderful holiday and they are traditions that should be a part of the lives of all those who celebrate it.

Fun Christmas Activities that are Cheap #1
Chop Down Your Christmas Tree from a Farm:
Getting your Christmas tree doesn't have to be a chore and should be a fun activity. Now a days there are a lot of places that sell trees, such as supermarkets, temporary concrete lots, and hardware stores. Instead of getting it from one of those places, find a nearby good old fashion Christmas tree farm, pick out a tree, and cut it down yourself. As a kid I remember going out with my family to a tree farm and cutting down our own. It was always a lot of fun. Besides that, a fresh cut tree is usually cheaper and will not dry out nearly as fast.

Fun Christmas Activities that are Cheap #2
Make Christmas Cookies:
There's no better way to sweeten your Christmas than with sugar cookies. Bake some in fun shapes such as Christmas trees, Santa Claus, snow men, and gingerbread men. Then make it into a family activity by letting your kids ice them with you. Use food coloring to give them options of red, green, blue, and yellow, to go with white, and let them get creative!

Fun Christmas Activities that are Cheap #3
Make Gingerbread Houses:
Any local grocery store should sell gingerbread house kits complete with everything needed, including candy, for about $10. Of course, you can always buy extra candy to make your house better. Then spend an evening with family and friends building them. Have more fun by turning it into a contest to see who can make the best one.

Fun Christmas Activities that are Cheap #4
Go Ice Skating at an Outdoor Rink:
Outdoor rinks are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. For about the price of going to see a movie, glide around at night in a winter wonderland with family and friends. Typically they'll decorate the surrounding area with Christmas lights and an outdoor tree.

Fun Christmas Activities that are Cheap #5
Checkout Christmas Lights:
Do a little research of local neighborhoods. More than likely, there are some extra special decoration displays that are sometimes put on by entire blocks. As you and your loved ones drive to see the lights, you'll pass by other beautifully lit homes as well.

Fun Christmas Activities that are Cheap #6
Volunteer Your Time:
During the holidays, there are always many places looking for volunteers, from soup kitchens to non-profit organizations such as Second Harvest Food Bank. Doing some charity work will make you feel good and help others who really need it. Go to your local Community Centers or do some research online to find something that fits your time and interest.

Fun Christmas Activities that are Cheap #7
Watch a Classic Holiday Movie
Would Christmas be the same if we didn't have such classic movies as "A Christmas Story", "It's a Wonderful Life", and "Miracle on 34th Street"? Or how about all the traditional animated short films such as Charlie Brown, Frosty the Snowman, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? During all the madness of the holidays, there's nothing better than spending a night in with the people you love, watching a Christmas movie. All these movies can be found at video rental stores, libraries, and even on TV. Check your local listings so you don't miss them. If anything, you can always count on one of the cable networks to play "A Christmas Story" non-stop for 24 hours on Christmas Eve and Day.

Fun Christmas Activities that are Cheap #8
Read your Child a Christmas Classic
I still remember my parents reading me some of my favorite Christmas stories as a kid ,such as T'was the Night Before Christmas, Mickey's Christmas Carol, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Cozy up near the fire place and read a few of your favorite classic stories with your child. Make it a tradition with them that they can pass onto their own children. It will give them memories to last a lifetime.

Fun Christmas Activities that are Cheap #9
Trim the Tree
In some families only one person takes care of all the decorations and it's probably you. But wouldn't it be more fun if you made it an activity for all? Spend a night with your gang decorating the tree. Put up the lights, garland, popcorn, balls, and whatever basic decorations your household uses first. Then, let everyone else pick out a few favorite ornaments to put up. This way the whole family can be a part of the decoration efforts and you will have the help you need to get it done faster.

Fun Christmas Activities that are Cheap #10
Donate a Toy:
Every holiday season, numerous toy drives for children are held. Pick out a toy and donate it to the drive. Many kids will not have gifts to open, but you can change the situation for at least one of them. You will feel great knowing that because of you, a less fortunate kid will now have something to open on Christmas Day.

Fun Christmas Activities that are Cheap #11
Listen to Christmas Music in the Car:
Most people have a few favorite radio stations that they routinely listen to programmed into the car. During the Christmas season, scan through the frequencies and you will easily find one that plays Christmas music non-stop. They usually start up around Thanksgiving, sometimes even the week before. Having the festive tunes on while in the car will put you in a better mood and help remind you of what's important.

Fun Christmas Activities that are Cheap #12
Take a Picture with Santa
What's Christmas without Santa, especially if you have kids? Take them to see Old Saint Nick at any local mall. He is usually around from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. If you're an adult without kids, it can still be something fun to do with the one you love.

These 12 activities have always been a part of my Christmas traditions. As a kid I loved them and now as an adult, I truly appreciate them because they allow me to be a kid again. I've been able to share these Christmas traditions with my girlfriend, family and friends, and I can't wait until the day when I get to share them with my kids too. They are fun, affordable, and easy to do. Whether it's for children or adults, these are activities anyone can do to get into the Christmas spirit.