It is easy to get
tangled in the scheduling of who is going to be at whose home on
special holidays. There is our nuclear family, our in-laws, our
parents, siblings, uncles and aunts, grandparents, god parents,
cousins... the list goes on. How do we stop the madness of
running around and stressing while still being able to see as
many of our loved ones as possible? The answer is to be
flexible, have lots of traditions and invite everyone to those
traditions. Eventually you will see the majority of your family.
Here are some fun frugal and easy holiday traditions to invite
your family to.
Christmas Parades:
Most towns have
Christmas parades, and if not your particular town then one
within an easy drive. The Christmas parade is good for young and
old and is usually followed by the city tree lighting ceremony.
If a member of the family is frail then if at all possible have
a non-frail member of the family stay home with them and bake
cookies together or open a bottle of gin and talk about
Christmas past. Whatever keeps the holiday feeling alive and
well.
Volunteer at Soup
Kitchen
This is a great family
activity that can be done from age 4 and up. It brings a family
together working towards a good cause. Volunteering will leave
the family happy to have spent time together and feel good about
helping the less fortunate. If finding a common date on which
all can volunteer together seems daunting then pick a food
pantry. Everyone can then go over to a family member’s house for
coffee and cookies, while bringing a few things for the local
food pantry.
Church Choirs:
Church Choirs are
wonderful to listen to during the holiday season. Why not share
the experience with extended family. Call grandparents and offer
to pick them up for the local choir concert. They will
appreciate it and the rest of the family will enjoy it. It will
be a nice family night out.
Tree Trimming:
Tree trimming is one
of the best things to host a family gathering for. Young and old
can participate. The decorated tree will represent a family
effort. Throw on some Christmas music and pass around the egg
nog. That is all it takes to have a frugal festive family
tradition.
Frugal Fanatic Tip:
Try to include family
members that are difficult to fit into family Christmas projects
by adding an event around the Christmas family event. For
example, the family has planned to get together to help out
Habitat for Humanity as a Christmas event. One of the couples
could stay home and host the children and the elderly for crafts
and lunch. Then everyone comes over to meet up again after the
volunteer project for some Christmas coffee and cake.
