Ways to Save on Holiday Entertainment

There is so much to do during the holidays. So many get-together invitations, as well as hosting your own activities. Add in all the other fun activities during the winter and it can leave your pocket feeling light. Here are some tips to help you enjoy more holiday fun while staying on a budget.

Tips for Saving money on holiday entertainment:

Ÿ1. Go for free entertainment when you can. For instance, take mugs of hot chocolate with you and go for a drive looking at holiday lights.

Ÿ2. Here’s a simple and low cost holiday party option: Dig up holiday movie favorites and invite some of your children’s friends over for a night of movie watching with caramel corn and hot chocolate.

Ÿ3. Give back and have some fun by getting your kids involved in volunteering at a holiday food or toy drive.

Ÿ4. Go ice skating. Most local rinks offer low cost rentals of skates that are around $3-$5 for the whole day. Some may host a charity event, where admission is a donation of canned food.

Ÿ5. Don’t take pictures with the Santa at the mall. Instead, look in your local newspaper for community events are churches and charities that will have a Santa visit. Take your kids to see him and get pictures as well.

Ÿ6. Go caroling. Get together with friends and carol in your neighborhood or at a local nursing home. You can invite everyone back to your house afterwards for cocoa and cookies.

Ÿ7. Snow Paint! Put water and food coloring in spray bottles and make colorful murals on your front lawn in the snow. They won’t harm the grass underneath and there is virtually no clean up.

Ÿ8. Host a holiday Potluck. To save money on food for a holiday party, do it potluck style. Ask each guest to bring their favorite holiday goodie to share.

Ÿ9. Host a Cookie Making Party. Save money on baking for the holidays by getting together with others to bake. Chip in on the supplies and exchange cookies and treats at the end of the day.

10. Look for free Christmas concerts. ŸIf you love to hear symphonies this time of year, but find that they are too costly, find out when the local high schools will be doing their Christmas concert. High School concerts are usually free and open to the public. Also check and see if your mall is offering any free concerts.

Ÿ11. Look in your community for free tree-lightings as well as parades. Bundle up and watch with a thermos full of hot cider or cocoa.

Ÿ12. Craft fairs are a joy to attend and just window shop. The only problem is, they usually have an entrance fee. Look for ones hosted by churches as well as charities that may have the option to donate canned goods to a local shelter instead.

Ÿ13. Throw a themed party where the outfits people where are part of the atmosphere so you can have very few decorations. Ideas include a black and white theme, “Ugly” holiday sweater party and red and green.