Are you looking to create some new Christmas traditions for your family this year that don’t cost a lot of money? Keep scrolling for some amazingly festive (and completely free) things to do for Christmas this year!
This post about FREE Christmas traditions was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Looking to create new Christmas traditions that won’t blow your budget? I’m sharing my favorite completely free (or nearly free) holiday activities that create the best memories.
As a family travel blogger and mom, I’ve learned that the magic of Christmas doesn’t come from how much money you spend. In fact, some of our most cherished holiday memories cost absolutely nothing.
Whether you’re trying to save money this year or just want to focus on experiences over stuff, these simple traditions will bring so much joy to your family.
You don’t need expensive decorations or elaborate gifts to make Christmas special. These ideas work for any family, any budget, and honestly? They’re way more memorable than anything you can buy.
15 FREE Christmas Traditions Your Family Will Love
1. Go on a Christmas Lights Walk Around the Neighborhood
One of the most magical parts of Christmas? The lights!
Putting them up is fun (you can focus on themes like Minions, the Grinch, or Elf). But an even better (and completely free) activity is bundling up and going for a walk or drive around the neighborhood.
Make it a game! Rate each house’s display and vote on the best one. We do this every year, and my kids get SO excited about it.
If you’re visiting a new city during the holidays, this is perfect for exploring new neighborhoods while soaking in the festive atmosphere.
2. Follow Santa’s Journey Around The World
Technology has made Christmas even more magical. Your kids don’t have to wonder where Santa is anymore.
You can track his journey around the world using Google’s Santa Tracker. It’s totally free and so much fun for kids to check throughout Christmas Eve.
This is one of those traditions to start ASAP, before your kids stop believing in Santa. Trust me on this one.
3. Creative Christmas Tree Challenge
Set a timer and challenge everyone to create their own mini Christmas tree using random items from around the house.
You’ll be shocked at how creative people get! We’ve made trees out of books, kitchen utensils, toilet paper rolls, and even toy blocks.
Turn it into a friendly competition where everyone votes on their favorite. The winner picks the Christmas movie that night. This always leads to the best laughs.
4. Throw a Sleepover in the Living Room
Get your sleeping bags, put on those ugly Christmas sweaters, and camp out in the living room together.
These are the memories everyone will talk about for years.
Watch Christmas movies, read a Christmas story together, or play family games. Don’t forget the popcorn and hot cocoa!
Pro tip: Pop some microwave popcorn and make hot chocolate to complete the experience.
5. Write a Letter to Santa
Sometimes the old traditions are the best.
One of the sweetest things kids have been doing for generations is writing a letter to Santa.
Instead of just a wish list, help your kids write a real letter asking Santa questions, talking about someone they’d like to help, or sharing their hopes for the future.
Letter writing is a valuable skill, and this makes it fun!
You can reply as Santa yourself, or sign up to get an official email from Santa.
Click here to grab my free printable Santa envelopes and stamps!
6. Throw a Movie Night Week
Christmas movies hit different during the actual holiday season, right?
Cozy up in the living room and pick a movie to watch every evening the week before Christmas Eve. Or do a marathon if you have older kids who can stay up late.
Since our kids go to bed early, we usually make a quick dinner so we can finish the whole movie before bedtime. Sometimes we even do breakfast for dinner to add to the fun!
Grab some Christmas movie snacks and make it extra special.
7. Organize a Christmas Photoshoot
One of my favorite traditions is taking super festive photos of my kids every year.
Photos are the best way to capture memories, so grab everyone and organize an at-home photoshoot using props from around the house.
Props that work great:
- Battery-powered Christmas lights
- Cookie cutters
- Ornaments
- Christmas wreaths
- Festive signs
- Stockings
- Garlands
- Santa hats
- Christmas pajamas
You can find tons of affordable stuff at dollar stores or borrow from friends and family.
You can also visit a local Christmas tree farm for an outdoor Christmas photoshoot. Get all my tips for taking your own Christmas photos this year.
8. Make a Christmas Bucket List
Starting December 1st, create a list of fun activities to do before Christmas Eve. One activity for each day works great!
Ideas include:
- Decorating the house
- Building a snowman
- Ice skating
- Christmas lights drive
- Reading Christmas stories
- Volunteering at a soup kitchen
Then cross them off throughout the month. You can even turn it into Bingo!
I’ve got a fun Christmas Countdown activity that’s perfect for tracking your progress.
9. Do a Winter Clean Up
Spring cleaning is great, but why not get it done before the year ends?
We do KonMari-style purges at our house, and it feels amazing to declutter before all the Christmas presents arrive. You can also do this on Christmas morning after opening gifts.
Donate old clothes and toys to local charities. They need donations more during winter than any other time.
This is one of the best traditions to start while kids are young. It builds habits that (hopefully) last into adulthood.
Get some donation boxes to make organizing easier.
10. Volunteer At a Local Charity
Helping others is a wonderful way to practice gratitude and spread Christmas spirit.
While many people donate money during the holidays, volunteering your time creates amazing memories with your family.
Collect items to donate, fill Christmas food baskets for local families, or volunteer at a soup kitchen together. These experiences teach kids (and remind adults) what the season is really about.
11. Make a Christmas Craft
There are SO many Christmas crafts you can make with supplies you already have at home.
I love Christmas paper crafts because we always have colorful construction paper lying around.
This year we’re making origami poinsettia flowers and this red Christmas truck craft.
You can also make paper chains, string popcorn for garland, or turn small toys into Christmas decorations.
Check out these other fun crafts: Printable Twas The Night Before Christmas Craft and Nutcracker Craft with FREE Printables.
Grab some craft supplies and glue sticks if you need to stock up.
12. Build a Snowman
If you live somewhere with snow in December, get outside and build that snowman! Doesn’t matter if you’re an adult. Do it anyway.
No snowy winters? No problem! There are tons of DIY snowman ideas on Pinterest. Who says snowmen have to be made of actual snow?
Grab some white socks and rice to make adorable sock snowmen indoors.
13. Read a Book (or Try “Jolabokaflod”)
Jolabokaflod roughly translates to “Christmas book flood,” and it’s an Icelandic tradition I absolutely love.
In Iceland, people celebrate Christmas Eve by gifting books and spending the evening reading by the fire with hot cocoa.
We love this because it encourages quiet time during an otherwise overstimulating season. Even babies and toddlers can participate with Christmas board books.
Head to your local library and check out a bunch of books before winter break. Completely free and you’ll have tons of reading material!
14. Learn How Others Celebrate Christmas Around The World
Getting to learn about other countries’ traditions is fascinating, especially if you have a travel lover in the family.
Did you know:
- In Germany, kids leave their shoes out for Saint Nicholas to fill with treats
- There’s a German-American tradition called the Christmas Pickle (a pickle ornament hidden in the tree)
- In Denmark, families dance around their Christmas tree while singing carols
- In Norway, families hide their brooms on Christmas Eve so evil spirits can’t steal them
These traditions give kids a glimpse into the world beyond their own experience.
15. Create an Advent Calendar
Advent calendars are perfect for counting down to Christmas Day.
Instead of filling it with candy or toys, write down fun Christmas activities to complete before the big day. Ideas include building a snowman, writing to Santa, creating a Christmas playlist, decorating the house, or going caroling.
You can make a simple advent calendar with small envelopes and ribbon you already have at home.
Free Christmas Traditions While Traveling
Traveling during the holidays? You can still enjoy amazing Christmas traditions without spending extra money:
Visit Free Christmas Light Displays: Most cities have elaborate free light displays in downtown areas or public parks. Do some research before your trip to find the best spots.
Attend Christmas Parades: Many towns have free Christmas parades in early December. These are especially fun for kids and totally free to watch.
Explore Decorated Hotel Lobbies: Fancy hotels go ALL OUT with Christmas decorations. Walk through and enjoy the displays. Nobody will stop you from taking photos!
Window Shop at Decorated Stores: Department stores create incredible window displays during the holidays. Walking around and enjoying them costs nothing.
Find Free Christmas Concerts: Libraries, community centers, and churches often host free holiday concerts. Check local event calendars.
Browse Christmas Markets: While buying things costs money, walking through Christmas markets and soaking in the atmosphere is completely free. The decorations, music, and festive energy are worth the visit alone.
Visit Free Museums on Special Days: Many museums offer free admission days during December. Plan ahead and you can enjoy culture and Christmas cheer.
These traveling traditions have become some of our favorite holiday memories. There’s something magical about experiencing Christmas festivities in a new place.
Common Christmas Traditions FAQs
The most popular Christmas tradition is decorating a tree together. Other favorites include watching Christmas movies, baking and decorating cookies, and sending Christmas cards to loved ones.
Many families have a special Christmas Eve dinner with friends or extended family. One popular tradition is letting kids open one present on Christmas Eve (often matching Christmas pajamas that everyone wears that night).
Visit friends or family to share stories and play games together. Give back by donating items to charity or volunteering at a soup kitchen. Take walks to see Christmas lights in your neighborhood. The best celebrations focus on time together, not money spent.
Making These Traditions Your Own
The best part about these free Christmas traditions? You can adapt them to fit your family’s personality and situation.
Can’t do all 15? Pick three or four that sound most appealing and start there. Traditions don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming to be meaningful.
The goal is creating moments together, not checking boxes on a list. Some years you’ll do more, some years less, and that’s completely okay.
What matters is that you’re spending time together, making memories, and focusing on the joy of the season instead of the stress of spending money.
These traditions remind us that the best parts of Christmas don’t come from stores. They come from being together, laughing together, and creating experiences that your kids will remember long after the presents are forgotten.
More Christmas Fun
Looking for more holiday ideas? Check out:
- How to make Christmas placemats for kids
- Tips for taking your own Christmas photos
- Christmas countdown printable
Happy Holidays from all of us here at Marcie in Mommyland!
Loving this Free Christmas Traditions and looking for more ways to celebrate Christmas? Find out my top Budget Christmas Gift Ideas That Look Expensive, Easy Winter Break Activities, The Best Christmas Present Hiding Spots, and Top Christmas Countdown Ideas!
