As my children move out of the toddler stage, I’m conscious of the need to make recurring memories as a family that they can look back on with fondness later in life. So I’ve been thinking of family Christmas tradition ideas that I might like to incorporate this year.

I also have a penchant for keeping costs low when it comes to family fun, unless we’re going on a destination vacation like Disneyworld or the beach.

So I came up with a list of 7 inexpensive family Christmas traditions that are low on cost yet high on the potential to stick and becoming a recurring tradition in my household. I hope you find a few that you like as well!

Family Christmas Traditions – Ideas for Low-Cost Memory Making

1) Travel to a Christmas tree farm and pick out a tree together – Trees are rather affordable, so why not make an event out of picking the perfect one? A friend of mine sets aside the same weekend every single year and even rents a cabin for the night in the mountains of North Carolina, turning it into a family getaway each December.

2) Ride around to look at Christmas decorations after dark – Hands down my favorite way to get into the Christmas spirit! I think I love doing this as much as the kids do. The only cost here is a little bit of gas.

3) Bake a batch of cookies and decorate them together – It’s always fun to bake as a family. We like to get out the sprinkles and have fun decorating our creations.

4) Make popcorn garland for your Christmas tree – The older kids love this. I remember doing this well into my teens.

5) Let your child(ren) place important ornaments on the tree (tree topper, handmade items, Baby’s 1st Christmas ornaments) – Resist the urge to make the ornament distribution perfect (or at least do it after they’ve gone to bed)! 😉

6) Drink hot cocoa while watching Rudolph or Polar Express – I took this idea from a playdate my kids loved a few years back. We like to make it even more special by wearing our pajamas, even if it’s early afternoon!

7) Read Twas the Night Before Christmas in front of the fire – I don’t know a single child who wouldn’t love to hear this story. If yours believe in Santa as much as mine do, they will love it!

What Are Your Best Inexpensive Family Tradition Ideas?  

Most of my best childhood memories are times when I did something enjoyable / dangerous / exciting / unique with my parents.

I only came up with seven options, so I’m hoping you have some ideas for me! I have this problem with needing to know ALL THE OPTIONS out there before making a decision! :=/

More Christmas Goodness!

Fun Christmas Playdate Ideas

 Cute Snowman Cupcake Ideas