Cheap/Free Holiday Traditions?

[golfgal]

When we moved here, we started going to the Macys in downtown Minneapolis. We start at the Mall of America, take the light rail downtown then go to Macys' where they have a really elaborate holiday display set up that is free....It's several "scenes" displayed based off a theme...then we take the train back to the mall and window shop, get some cocoa..etc..

Nothing fancy, but the kids love doing this.

They also have a weekly parade that we may try to hit this year..I think it is sponsored byTarget...Holidazzle I think its called. Its several evenings in December.

We also use our zoo pass when we go back to Ohio and go to the light display at the Toledo Zoo with my parents. We get in free with our pass.

And then of course on Christmas Eve, we watch a Christmas Story while setting out the goodies for Santa.

The Holidazzle Parade is fun to see. It used to be nightly from Thanksgiving to Christmas but now I think it is only Thur-Sat or something like that. We combine that trip with the Dayton's (they started it Macy's continued it) 7th floor show.

Your zoo pass might work at the MN Zoo too, they do a holiday light show too.

The Minneapolis Planetarium is also something fun to do around Christmas-they do a special Christmas show. It's too bad the malls don't do their HUGE Christmas shows any longer. One year each of the "Dale's" had a different Disney them tied into "It's a Small World".

We also like to see Tonic Sol Fa's holiday concert. Tickets aren't too bad and the show is really, really good-the kids LOVE it.

Check out any local high schools or colleges for their Christmas concerts-choir, orchestra, etc. Generally they are free or very low cost. St. Olaf in MN puts on an amazing concert that is usually televised on Public TV nationwide.

 

[monkeybug]

I love this thread!!
For those who asked here is the link to the 12 day's of Christmas poem we usually use. Just click on the pdf link for printable tags! Super easy, cheap and fun! (we make the pillowcases and turtles at home to bring down the cost, most of the other things can be found in the dollar store or the Micheals dollar bins)
http://www.theideadoor.com/index.ph...as&id=355:12-days-of-christmas-box&Itemid=544

Here are a bunch of other poems and tags that use different items (like pineapple rings for the "golden rings". Ha ha!)

http://www.sugardoodle.net/Christmas/The 12 Days of Christmas_Index.shtml

http://www.theideadoor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=354&Itemid=544

http://www.blogher.com/12-days-christmas

Tip Junkie also has a ton of fun and inexpensive Christmas traditions and neighbor gifts on her site.

 

[NHdisneylover]

My suggestion is actually my aunt's tradition - she makes her own garland with popcorn and cranberries - she strings it with a needle and thread - she makes the garland in the evenings and then she adds it to her tree.

Oh how fun! We'll have to try that this year

 

[golfgal]

I forgot on really inexpensive "tradition" change your DIS them to Holiday .

 

[monkeybug]

We don't have children and are a couple of saps so take our traditions for what it is worth. We do alot of giving at this time of year well and alot of buying. I hope I can get enough families here to participate to do some things here.

We go caroling with other military families to the local Fisher house or veteran's home or military hospital.

We drop off ALOT of baked goods made from several families at the local Fisher house and veteran's home.

This year we are particpating in helping pack local food baskets for families. Other families are providing food and then a bunch of us will back and deliver.

We pack up cookies and good coffee and drive around to see the lights.

We participate on the big donation night of Toys for Tots. We help sort toys or go around getting the donations from those that can't bring them to big site.

This year being new to the D.C. area will be great! Lots of free things to do here that we plan to take advantage of. We love Christmas and had a Christmas wedding to prove it.

Check out the National tree in DC! It's so much more than just a tree! When we went it snowed, and there were carolers and a huge bonfire, and the most awesome Santa we have ever seen (he even brought the cutest workshop we have ever seen with him) It was Holiday magic!!
If you don't mind a few hours in the car (maybe two, we are an hour and a half but we are in MD so probably a teensy closer than NOVA) Lancaster is awesome at Christmas, and the Sight and Sound theaters "The Voices of Christmas" is amazing!!!
You are right there are lot's of free and awesome things in this area at Christmas time!

 

[monkeybug]

In our house Santa "wraps the room" the tree is in. He uses the extra wide gift wrap and closes it all in so that no one can peek until everyone is awake!! This has been so much fun! My DS19 and DS16 still want it done every year. They plan how they are going to break through the paper.

One year Santa even wrapped them in their rooms by cover the doorway in paper. It was quite funny to hear them discover it on Christmas morning!

I never sleep Christmas eve, too excited to see reactions on Christmas Day!!

How fun! I love it!

 

[Mermaid02]

Darsa- I love this thread!

We try to do the driving around looking at lights thing... I love doing that. The year my dd was born my dh drove me down all the worst roads looking at lights to try and start labor... LOL That was 1989.........

We used to go pick out a tree and cut it down, but last year my allergies got the better of us and we broke down and bought a fake tree.

I listen to Christmas music CONSTANTLY (doing it right now!) Live365 has great stations and on our cable channel we have "Sounds of the Season" they play some "different" stuff so you don't have to listen to what you have over and over.....

This year we probably won't do too much- I'm having a total hip replacement on December 9th. But we'll get our tree up before then so I can recuperate by the Christmas tree!

 

[Angelhalo]

these are GREAT ideas...thanks all....angel - do you have a recipe for the peppermint you can post?

Sure!

My peppermint bark. (I have no lie seen this stuff up to $17 a pound and it costs me like $4.00 to make a ton of it!)

I just melt one bag of milk chocolate chips in one bowl and a bag of white chocloate in another bowl. In a ziploc bag crush up 25 or so starlight mints.

On a baking sheet lined with wax or parchment paper, pour out your milk choclolate and smooth it out with a spatula. Then I drop blobs of the white chocolate on top and use a butter knife to swirl the white choc. through the milk choc. into swirly patterns. Then sprinkle the crushed starlight mints all over the top.

Put your baking sheet into the fridge until the chocolate is hardened. Maybe an hour? It doesn't take too long. Then break it up into pieces!

Easy Peasy!

 

[monkeybug]

Darsa- I love this thread!

We try to do the driving around looking at lights thing... I love doing that. The year my dd was born my dh drove me down all the worst roads looking at lights to try and start labor... LOL That was 1989.........

We used to go pick out a tree and cut it down, but last year my allergies got the better of us and we broke down and bought a fake tree.

I listen to Christmas music CONSTANTLY (doing it right now!) Live365 has great stations and on our cable channel we have "Sounds of the Season" they play some "different" stuff so you don't have to listen to what you have over and over.....

This year we probably won't do too much- I'm having a total hip replacement on December 9th. But we'll get our tree up before then so I can recuperate by the Christmas tree!

Well I hope all the other Christmas freaks in your life do lots for you at Christmas! Maybe being laid up will mean extra cookie deliveries???

 

[Disneymoon09]

Every year my DFi and I buy eachother an ornament for the tree. Most of our ornaments were hand-me downs from family so we wanted something that was ours. Usually they are pretty cheap, def. under $20 a piece. Also, the zoo in our capital city does "wild lights". The whole zoo is covered in christmas lights and decor. If you can stand the cold it is an awesome place to see.

 

[Darsa]

My DD has already stated that she wants to do homemade Christmas gifts this year because, as she says, "it's more thoughtful"

We will DEFINITELY be making some of the peppermint bark, if I can keep her from eating all the Starlight Mints And we're looking up recipes for bath salts and such. We even tried making our own apple butter which came out FANTASTIC!

I think this Christmas is going to be an exceptional one in our house; we have less money than in previous years, but I think that'll only make it better!

 

[puffkin]

My DD has already stated that she wants to do homemade Christmas gifts this year because, as she says, "it's more thoughtful"

Oreo Truffles are also fantastic for this time of year and make GREAT gifts.

Take one full sized package of oreos (I am guessing about 36 cookies) and mash up either in a food processor or I put in a ziploc and smoosh with my hands. Mix in one block of softened cream cheese. Put in freezer to harden.

Once set, roll into small balls. Dip each ball into melted chocolate and then decorate away. I usually dip in white and milk chocolate. I drizzle red or green chocolate on top. I also use all sorts of toppings like non pariels, sprinkles, crushed candy canes, etc to decorate. Once hardened you can put into decorative boxes or tins. They turn out absolutely gorgeous, are super easy, tons of fun to make and taste delicious. I really like making them with the mint oreos as well!

Word of caution, they are very rich, so don't make them too big! Also, they do need to stay refrigerated, so keep that in mind if giving as gifts. I found this on the DIS a few years ago and I now make them every year!

 

[Angelhalo]

My DD has already stated that she wants to do homemade Christmas gifts this year because, as she says, "it's more thoughtful"

We will DEFINITELY be making some of the peppermint bark, if I can keep her from eating all the Starlight Mints And we're looking up recipes for bath salts and such. We even tried making our own apple butter which came out FANTASTIC!

I think this Christmas is going to be an exceptional one in our house; we have less money than in previous years, but I think that'll only make it better!

Awwwww I wish we could all have that attitude because I agree with you

You will love the peppermint bark and the best part is that everyone else loves it too! Sometimes if I want to get super fancy (LOL) I will get a bottle of peppermint extract for a couple bucks at the grocery store and add a teaspoon of it in with the melted milk chocolate just for an added mintyness!

 

[Angelhalo]

Oreo Truffles are also fantastic for this time of year and make GREAT gifts.

Take one full sized package of oreos (I am guessing about 36 cookies) and mash up either in a food processor or I put in a ziploc and smoosh with my hands. Mix in one block of softened cream cheese. Put in freezer to harden.

Once set, roll into small balls. Dip each ball into melted chocolate and then decorate away. I usually dip in white and milk chocolate. I drizzle red or green chocolate on top. I also use all sorts of toppings like non pariels, sprinkles, crushed candy canes, etc to decorate. Once hardened you can put into decorative boxes or tins. They turn out absolutely gorgeous, are super easy, tons of fun to make and taste delicious. I really like making them with the mint oreos as well!

Word of caution, they are very rich, so don't make them too big! Also, they do need to stay refrigerated, so keep that in mind if giving as gifts. I found this on the DIS a few years ago and I now make them every year!

I make those tooooo they are Awesome! I make them with all kinds of cookies too!
Nutter butters dipped in white chocolate are to die for!

 

[live4christp1]

Love reading everyone's ideas!

Our festivities start officially the day after Thanksgiving.

DH & I usually will go out to some of the "black Friday" sales if there is something thats a really good deal that we had on our list already.

Then that afternoon we put up the Christmas tree. We play Christmas music and everyone enjoys decorating the tree and singing. Then we set up all our inside decorations, nativity, candles, etc.

That evening we will watch a Christmas movie. We've been collecting Christmas movies for a while so we have a pretty good selection that will be watched through Christmas.

One Friday or Saturday evening after the tree is up we will get out the air mattresses and camp under the Christmas tree. The kids really love this!

A local church used to have a Bethlehem Walk that was free and we would go each year.....then part of their set burned and they haven't started back....it was really cool....they'd give you mites as you started out on the tour to pay your tax when you got to the city gate. The kids ask about this each year.

We will go around looking at lights.

We make cut out sugar cookies & gingerbread men that the kids enjoy decorating. Have also done the ones that are not edible but harden into ornaments that smell really good.

New pajamas on Christmas Eve.

Of course there are all the Christmas plays, programs etc. to attend between church & school. Our church has a Christmas fellowship evening.

 

[monkeybug]

My DD has already stated that she wants to do homemade Christmas gifts this year because, as she says, "it's more thoughtful"

We will DEFINITELY be making some of the peppermint bark, if I can keep her from eating all the Starlight Mints And we're looking up recipes for bath salts and such. We even tried making our own apple butter which came out FANTASTIC!

I think this Christmas is going to be an exceptional one in our house; we have less money than in previous years, but I think that'll only make it better!

Regarding home made gifts, including bath salts (there are some that look like cupcakes and ice cream sundaes! Too cute) Here are some blogs with tons, and tons of ideas!
Little Birdie Secrets
http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com

Tip Junkie
http://www.tipjunkie.com

Make and Takes (she usually does 30 days of handmade ideas, I think the links to previous ones might be in the side bar, but I'm not sure.)
http://www.makeandtakes.com

Skip to my Lou
http://www.skiptomylou.org

Todays Creative Blog
http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com

My Insanity
http://meandmyinsanity.blogspot.com

Roots and Wings
http://www.rootsandwingsco.blogspot.com

One Pretty Thing (warning: Idea overload! Soooo so many!)
http://www.oneprettything.com

Be Different Act Normal
http://bedifferentactnormal.blogspot.com

OK there are a million more, but I probably already posted too many!

 

[monkeybug]

Oreo Truffles are also fantastic for this time of year and make GREAT gifts.

Take one full sized package of oreos (I am guessing about 36 cookies) and mash up either in a food processor or I put in a ziploc and smoosh with my hands. Mix in one block of softened cream cheese. Put in freezer to harden.

Once set, roll into small balls. Dip each ball into melted chocolate and then decorate away. I usually dip in white and milk chocolate. I drizzle red or green chocolate on top. I also use all sorts of toppings like non pariels, sprinkles, crushed candy canes, etc to decorate. Once hardened you can put into decorative boxes or tins. They turn out absolutely gorgeous, are super easy, tons of fun to make and taste delicious. I really like making them with the mint oreos as well!

I have a friend that makes those! Yummy!!
Have you heard of cake pops? Sorta the same, but with cake mix and on a stick ('cause food on a stick=fun!). You can decorate them to look like almost anything, my fav. is the reindeer. We made heart shaped ones on Valentines day for teachers and friends. Here is the girls blog that started the craze (Martha even had her on her show to make them)
http://www.bakerella.com

 

[Grandmouse]

I'm beginning to feel all warm and fuzzy also reading these great traditions. Don't forget to watch the Disney Christmas parade on Christmas morning. (I wish I had taped it every year. )

 

[4nana]

THX Darsa ~ loving this thread and really enjoy reading about all your traditions!!
To me, that's what family is all about!! We're a big entended family, so lots of traditions!!


Like so many here, we have eggnog and sing C'mas carols while decorating our tree. We love to talk about the sentimental ornaments we've collected as gifts, thru traveling, or inherited from dear MIL. At night we enjoy sitting back and seeing tree reflect in our sun room windows...priceless!!

Baking C'mas cookies with our grands....with so many grands now, Nana's had to resort to day, day, in the kitchen!!
We also do a ginger bread house or santa/snowmen gingerbread cookies to nibble on for our C'mas movie night with them.

Right after TG holiday, I do a mother daughter home made craft session. It's 'our' time, no men, no kids ! We've made twinklelit pine cone baskets, patchwork quilted ball ornaments, wreaths, fresh flowers grny arrangement, etc. Lots of M/D fun as we chit chat, have eggnog and homemade cookies!

Every year since grands were born we've given them an ornament....22 yrs now and holding!
Really fun to see them hanging each year - some are homemade that we did together!

I look forward to sending C'mas cards and treats to our soldiers protecting our country.
Let us remember them in our postive thoughts and prayers, as sadly won't be home to share holidays with their families.

With 13 grands, we do everyone's gifts in a different color paper - makes it easy to spot under tree and fun for them to hunt down!!!

We live near a womens/childrens homeless shelter we also enjoy donating too.

As others mentioned ~ we also like to drive around 'light peeping' w/grands, luckily we have big SUV's in family!


*DSNLvR, KAMKIM, live4christp1* ~ love the new PJ's gift idea, our DD#3's family does that each year and open on C'mas eve!

*Darsa, you're right! Many families will be cutting back this year and enjoying less material things ~ but hopefully more family and spiritual.

*live4christp1 ~ love that camping under C'mas tree tradition!

*Nevergrow'nup ~ How cool, love your wrapping the room idea!

Last but not least, we always take a bouquet of homemakde greenery and holly w/big red bow to DH's DM, DF, DSis', and decorate a live tree planted at my DF and DB's resting places.

Check out the National tree in DC! It's so much more than just a tree! When we went it snowed, and there were carolers and a huge bonfire, and the most awesome Santa we have ever seen (he even brought the cutest workshop we have ever seen with him) It was Holiday magic!!
If you don't mind a few hours in the car (maybe two, we are an hour and a half but we are in MD so probably a teensy closer than NOVA) Lancaster is awesome at Christmas, and the Sight and Sound theaters "The Voices of Christmas" is amazing!!!
You are right there are lot's of free and awesome things in this area at Christmas time!

Glad you mentioned this! We've done the National tree quite often ~ it's quite the sight to beholdl!
Think they said today starts the lottery to get one of this year's 2800 seats, 7000 standees for Dec 3rd lighting!

DH and I do Lancaster every couple years and will be doing later this month w/friends! Definitely fun holiday adventures!

I forgot on really inexpensive "tradition" change your DIS them to Holiday .

Thx bunches for the reminder!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Oh, I forgot!

Elf on a shelf!!!!!!! Great tradition fun for all & free!