50 Fun and Frugal December Activities
December 1st is when I really start getting into the Christmas spirit. The decorations come out, the Christmas music goes on, and I start thinking about what to bake first.
But as much as I love this time of year, I don’t want every festive activity to involve buying something. December already gives us plenty of opportunities to spend money!
Some of my favourite traditions are the simplest: looking at Christmas lights, watching a movie with snacks from the pantry, or sitting beside the tree after everyone else has gone to bed.
If you’re looking for frugal December activities, this list is full of easy ways to enjoy the season. Lots are free, and others can cost very little when you use what you already have.
Thanks to my mom for helping inspire the original list!
50 Fun and Frugal December Activities
You don’t need to squeeze all 50 into your calendar. Choose a few favourites that fit your family, your budget, and your energy level. A little festive fun counts, too!
Cozy Christmas Activities at Home
- Make hot chocolate. Use whatever you have in the cupboard and serve it in your favourite mugs. Marshmallows are a nice bonus if you already have some!
- Decorate the Christmas tree. Put on Christmas music and enjoy unpacking the ornaments you’ve collected over the years.
- Have a Christmas movie night. Choose something available through the library, a streaming service you already pay for, or your own movie collection. Add homemade popcorn.
- Read a Christmas story aloud. Borrow a few festive books from the library or revisit an old favourite, like ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.
- Have a picnic beside the Christmas tree. Spread a blanket on the floor and turn an ordinary lunch or snack into something special.
- Play a board game. Pull out one you already own, put on some Christmas music, and let everyone take turns choosing.
- Start a puzzle. Leave it on a table so everyone can add a few pieces throughout the month.
- Have a Christmas dance party. Turn up your favourite holiday songs and enjoy a little silliness in the living room.
- Dress up for dinner at home. Serve a simple meal on your nicest dishes. Even spaghetti can feel fancy with a little effort!
- Spend a quiet evening beside the tree. Turn off the overhead lights, get comfortable, and enjoy the decorations without adding anything else to your to do list.
Simple Christmas Crafts and Kitchen Fun
- Bake cookies with ingredients you already have. A familiar recipe is perfect. You don’t need five kinds of sprinkles to make it festive.
- Decorate homemade cookies. Make a simple icing and use any decorations hiding in your baking cupboard.
- Make paper snowflakes. Use scrap paper and hang your creations in the windows.
- Create a homemade ornament. Try folded paper, cardboard shapes, or a small photo ornament using supplies you already own.
- Write Christmas cards. Use leftover cards or make your own. A thoughtful message matters more than matching stationery.
- Make gift tags from old cards. Cut out pretty sections of last year’s Christmas cards and use them on this year’s gifts.
- Make a paper chain countdown. Remove one link each day as Christmas gets closer.
- Build a gingerbread house. Use crackers, cookies, or whatever suitable supplies you have. It doesn’t have to look like the picture on a box!
- Try making a homemade gift. Bake a favourite treat, write out a family recipe, or make something with craft supplies you already have.
- Make paper decorations. Fold stars, cut out Christmas trees, or create a garland from scrap paper. Let the kids take charge of the design.
Outdoor December Activities
- Go for a Christmas lights walk. Bundle up and explore your neighbourhood after dark.
- Take a drive to see decorated houses. Pick a nearby route to keep fuel costs down and bring drinks from home.
- Build a snowman. If there’s enough snow, see what accessories you can find around the house.
- Go tobogganing. Bring your own sled or borrow one, and choose a suitable local hill.
- Go skating. Look for a free community skate or outdoor rink. Check whether admission or skate rentals cost extra before heading out.
- Take a winter nature walk. Look for evergreen trees, interesting branches, birds, and other signs of the season.
- Make snow angels. Sometimes the easiest winter activities are still the most fun.
- Have a snow building challenge. Make a tiny snow village, a snow animal, or the tallest snow tower you can manage.
- Take a family photo outside. Use your phone’s timer and keep it casual. You don’t need matching outfits for a photo worth keeping.
- Have a winter scavenger hunt. Look for a red decoration, a wreath, a pine cone, a bird, and a house with colourful lights. This one works without snow, too!
Free Christmas Activities and Simple Outings
- Attend a community tree lighting. Check local event listings for free celebrations near you.
- Visit the library. Browse Christmas books, borrow a movie, or see whether there are any free December programs.
- Look for a free holiday concert. Community groups, schools, and churches may offer performances that are free or accept donations.
- Visit a festive community display. Enjoy decorated windows, a public Christmas tree, or a display at a local community centre.
- Visit Santa if there’s a free opportunity nearby. Check the details first so you know whether booking or a photo purchase is required.
- Make an outdoor Christmas lights bingo card. Look for things like a glowing reindeer, a snowman, blue lights, and an inflatable Santa.
- Learn about a Christmas tradition from another country. Borrow a book or research together, then talk about what you discovered.
- Take a holiday photo walk. Photograph little details that catch your eye, from decorated doors to frosty leaves.
- Learn about St. Nicholas. Explore the stories and traditions associated with him through library books.
- Watch a festive performance at home. Find a free, officially shared concert or performance online and enjoy it from the couch.
Kindness, Connection, and Easy Traditions
- Call an old friend. Make a cup of tea and settle in for a proper catch-up.
- Shovel a neighbour’s walkway or driveway. If you’re able, a little help can make someone’s winter day easier.
- Write a thank you note. Tell a teacher, neighbour, friend, or family member something specific you appreciate about them.
- Do a small act of kindness. Bring in someone’s bins, offer to pick something up while you’re already out, or help with a task.
- Volunteer your time. Look for a local opportunity that suits your availability. Some organizations require advance registration, so check before making plans.
- Share favourite Christmas memories. Ask everyone about a memorable gift, a funny holiday moment, or a tradition they loved growing up.
- Have a festive sweater day. Wear something you own or temporarily decorate an ordinary sweater with paper decorations.
- Make an activity Advent calendar. Write free or inexpensive ideas on slips of paper. Keep some as simple as “read a Christmas story” or “have hot chocolate.”
- Make a December memory page. Write down funny moments, favourite activities, and little things you want to remember. Add photos later if you’d like.
- Plan a simple New Year’s Eve at home. Play games, enjoy snacks you already have, and count down early if that works better for your family.
Make Your December Bucket List Work for You
A list of fun things to do in December should give you ideas, not another reason to feel behind.
Choose three to five activities you’re excited about and start there. Check your cupboards before buying craft or baking supplies, borrow what you can, and leave room for quiet evenings.
No snow? Focus on Christmas lights walks, library visits, crafts, and cozy nights at home. Busy week? Reading a Christmas book together still counts.
These frugal December activities are about enjoying the season in ways that work for your real life. You don’t need a packed calendar or a big budget to make lovely memories.
What’s are your frugal December activities you look forward to every year? Share your favourite in the comments!
