Suddenly it’s become a thing to be obsessed with the holidays the day after Halloween. Lights are up, holiday memes are flowing, and Christmas music starts playing. But sometimes it takes more than just one overnight to get in the holiday feels.
10. Outdoor winter activities: ice skating, sledding
Outdoor winter activities are a great way to get into the holiday spirit! Hills or parks to go sledding/tubing are usually easy to find in your area. Check out a local ice rink and enjoy a night of ice skating. I like going to indoor rinks because they’re warmer than outdoor, and usually cheaper if not free.
9. Arts & crafts night: make your own ornaments
I recently went to AC Moore and bought wooden ornaments for less than $1.00 a piece. Now, all you need is paint and glitter (which can also be purchased there or at Dollar Tree) and you have yourself a holiday arts and crafts night! They have little wooden sleighs, snowflakes, and other various things you could decorate.
I bought stockings at Dollar Tree too, which I will personalize with glitter and other artsy things. Arts and crafts night is a perfect way to be festive without spending much at all. You can even add some background Christmas music and some wine to the evening if you’d like.
8. Have a christmas photo shoot
I love this one because it’s really cheap, simple, fun, AND you can use your photos later to make cute framed Christmas gifts! All you have to do is buy decorations and Santa hats/reindeer antlers, all of which you can also get at a place like Dollar Tree. Then, find a place to set up shop – an empty wall space or window works great because you can cover the area with wrapping paper or winter/Christmas-themed fabric. Then just hang up the decorations, get you and your friends ready, get the camera out, and start the shoot!
7. Find tree lighting’s in your area
Attending a tree lighting is a great way to be festive. You can even make a night out of it by driving to the area early, as most lighting’s have small events going on like ice sculpture contests, Christmas caroling, or hot cocoa stands. But if not, maybe grab a cheap bite to eat before or window shop around the town while you wait for the tree to light up.
6. Holiday Groupon date
You can find SO many awesome date night ideas or girls night ideas on Groupon. Plus, 90% of the time they have even more discounts on the site, like 20% off with certain promo codes. Groupon is a great way to not only get creative and festive holiday ideas, but to also get them at very cheap prices. Currently on the site, they have various Christmas shows and plays for 50% off regular prices. Plus, if you wanted to take a mini trip or go on an adventure, they have a Getaways section with really cheap hotel deals, as well as a Food & Drink section for some serious restaurant discounts.
5. Drive around to find the best decorated houses
Grab someone you love (or at least like), and pack some hot cocoa to-go for a Christmas adventure. Drive around and look for the best Christmas displays, you’ll be surprised at what you may find!
4. Go to the mall and start your holiday shopping
The malls will be packed this time of year, but isn’t that just part of the holiday spirit? Walking through the mall with all the stores lit up with holiday decorations is sure to give you the holiday feels. Grab a hot chocolate with one too many layers of whipped cream because… why not?
3. Bake night: decorate holiday cookies or cupcakes
Holiday baking is such a fun part of the season, why not make a night out of it? Invite friends and family, or even have some quality alone time, turn on the holiday music and just bake! You can even bake multiple kinds of cookies and have a giant cookie swap. Or, test your creativity skills by baking up some cupcakes or Christmas cutout sugar cookies and decorating them with various frostings and sprinkles.
2. Throw a festive party: like an ugly sweater or yankee swap
You can even make it a potluck style party if people want to eat, that way each person will bring something and you’ll only have to buy the basics. Festive parties are a way to get everyone together for some fun at a time that can become stressful. Fun party themes include: ugly sweater, secret santa, yankee swap, or a good old fashioned Christmas party filled with friends, music, drinks, Santa hats, and decorations (courtesy of Dollar Tree).
1. Christmas movie marathon
Is the weather outside frightful? Stay inside and have a Christmas movie marathon – it’s free, and warm! Some of my personal favorites are The Grinch (the original cartoon version), Elf, Polar Express, The Santa Clause, A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Christmas Story, Christmas with the Kranks, and Scrooged. Don’t forget all those classics like Frosty and Rudolph, too.
Take advantage of this beautiful time of year by trying some of these fun and cheap ideas.
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