With Christmas just around the corner, most of us are saving up and budgeting for that annual expenditure of food, decorations and presents. Even the thought of saving up and budgeting can be enough to put you off – but it doesn't have to be hard work and no play. Below are a list of some of my favourite cheap things to do with the kids in the festive run-up and, more importantly, though don’t tell them I said that – some to do without them.
Making personalised Christmas cards
This is a great way of passing sometime with the kids and ending up with a usable product that most friends and relatives will love to receive. Start by taking a great family photo and using it as the focal point of your cards, then get the craft box out and let the kids decorate them to their heart’s content with glitter and whatever else they fancy.
Baking
Whatever time of year it is most kids, whether they’re teenagers or toddlers love a bit of baking – especially buns, cakes and biscuits. They can measure the ingredients out, mix them (be careful if you’re using an electric mixer) and they’ll love decorating them when they’re cooked. Start with something easy and fun like buns and by the time you get to Christmas they’ll be making your mince pies and your Christmas cake.
Playing games
“A family who play together stay together” and as a family you can play all sorts of games including board games, video games or charades. Then, when the kids are in bed, I often treat myself to a game of online bingo. From as little as just a few pennies you can play for cash-prizes, whilst there are plenty of jackpot games to play as well. If you’re new to online bingo, don’t worry, as the rules are all online. Even better, when you become a member most online bingo companies will give you some free money to play with. For example, you don’t need to make a deposit to play free bingo at Butlers Bingo. If you become a regular they hold a monthly private ballroom where you can play bingo with the regular bingo players. If you fancy widening your online social life, there are loads of bingo chat-rooms and forums where you can natter to loads of other like-minded mums. Just think, if you win a bingo jackpot like John O. did on that site, it will probably pay for Christmas, and if it’s a big one maybe next year’s holiday!
Family and friends talent Show
When the kids break up from school and you’re desperately trying to think of ways of amusing them – this is a great task to set them as it’s a brilliant way of getting them and their friends involved in something they can take pride in. Whether they’re budding X-Factor stars or Come Dancing stars of the future they’ll love to perform to all the other parents and relatives. More importantly, they’ll waste away hours practising and making their costumes. Probably wise to buy some ear plugs for yourself though.
Pantomime
If you’re going to have one indulgence this year, why not go to your local pantomime. If you’ve not been before it really is a great family night out and the kids will love booing and shouting at the pantomime villain – and it won’t be long before you’re joining in.
Christmas Films
After all those activities, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of family Christmas TV and making a note of when the great kids Christmas films are on is never a bad thing to do (and way cheaper than taking them to the cinema). Get yourself a Christmas TV guide and plan well ahead. It’s also a great thing to do after a morning of baking. Just think, whilst the kids are happy watching and eating – you might just squeeze a well deserved nap in.
