The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun Recap

I hope you enjoyed the 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun. The holidays can be so hectic, so slow down and enjoy the frugal fun and the season with your family.

Day 1 ~ Plan a Holiday Movie Night
Day 2 ~ Attend Holiday Events at Your Local Library
Day 3 ~ Bake & Decorate Gingerbread Men Cookies
Day 4 ~ Build & Decorate a Gingerbread House
Day 5 ~ Have a PJ's & Pancakes Family Breakfast
Day 6 ~ Christmas Crafts
Day 7 ~ Attend Christmas Programs at Church
Day 8 ~ Host a Cookie Swap
Day 9 ~ Family Game Night
Day 10 ~ Gift Wrapping Party
Day 11 ~ Christmas Book Read Aloud
Day 12 ~ Enjoy the Christmas Lights


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This post is linked to Frugal Friday at Life as MOM.

Enjoy the Christmas Lights {Day 12 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun}

Day 12 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun ~

Enjoy the Christmas Lights

(NOT my home.)

When I was a kid my parents would drive us to another town to look at the Christmas lights that one particular homeowner displayed. A long line of cars would stop and park along the road to get a good look at everything. There was music, flashing lights, moving reindeer, and a Santa climbing up the chimney. Every square inch of their lawn must have been covered with lights and it was magical to me and my brother.

What propels someone to decorate the outside of their home to such a level, I'll never know. But what I do know is that I love to look at Christmas lights every December. And I've passed on that love to my kids.

On one night close to Christmas we take a short drive to some neighborhoods to check out the outdoor lights. Also, when driving home at night, we take the round about way into our neighborhood to check out one street that has many homes lit up. My kids squeal in delight at the lights.

This past November, my husband came home one day with a blow up reindeer for the kids. I even posted it on Facebook. But I can assure you that we'll never be that house where people purposely drive by to look at the lights. We'll let that up to others.

Do you drive around to enjoy the Christmas lights? Let us know in the comments.

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Photo source:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8136496@N05/2121977084/

Christmas Book Read Aloud {Day 11 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun}

Day 11 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun ~

Christmas Book Read Aloud

"Twas the night before Christmas,

when all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring,

not even a mouse."

Clement C. Moore, author

 

 

Twas the Night Before Christmas is one of those books that I can almost recite word for word without even glancing the book. I remember my parents reading it to me along with so many other Christmas books when I was young. Now I'm reading that book to my own kids along with some of their more current favorites. 

 

Plan a Christmas Book Read Aloud with your family as another way to frugally celebrate the season, but to also take a breather from the hustle and bustle. This year, we're noticing our kids are a bit exhausted by the season's busy-ness, so cuddling up to some delightful Christmas stories helps us unwind, relax and enjoy the moment. 



What's your favorite Christmas book to read to your kids? Let us know in the comments.

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Gift Wrapping Party {Day 10 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun}

Day 10 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun ~

Gift Wrapping Party

Do you make a big deal about wrapping all of your Christmas gifts? I never have, but realized that it was a missed opportunity to celebrate the season.

My kids love to help wrapping gifts and we have quite a few to wrap for our extended family and friends, so why not have a Gift Wrapping Party?

Once your shopping is done, gather the gifts, wrapping paper, tape, scissors, munchies, hot cocoa and start wrapping. Of course any gifts for the people wrapping need to still be hidden, but the gift wrapping party reminds the kids that Christmas isn't just about them and what they are getting for Christmas. It reminds the kids that we give to those in need and to the people in our lives who help us daily, such as teachers, special neighbors, and our extended family.

Do you wrap your gifts all at once are as you shop? Let us know in the comments.

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Family Game Night {Day 9 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun}

Day 9 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun ~

Family Game Night

The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season was about to swallow us up, so we had a 'night in' on Saturday with a Family Game Night.

I had visions of sitting around our dining room table playing Candyland or a card game. But my husband had a different plan...

He turned on our Kinect Dance Party and Wipeout games.

We had so much fun.

We laughed until our bellies hurt.

We munched on popcorn and did end up playing a couple games of Go Fish. We had an enjoyable,  relaxing, and silly evening spent as a family.

Our kids are feeling a little over-scheduled this month. They have had 3 Christmas parties this past week, so they really appreciated and loved the family game night.

So whether it's board games, card games, or your TV interactive games, gather the family and plan a Family Game Night this month and enjoy the 'night in'!

What are your family's favorite games? Let us know in the comments.

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Host a Cookie Swap {Day 8 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun}

Day 8 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun ~

Host a Cookie Swap

When one thinks of Christmas or the holiday season, cookies most likely come to mind. I grew up baking Christmas cookies with my mother and grandmother and I definitely want to continue the tradition with my own girls. But baking several varieties of Christmas cookies can be more time consuming than our hectic schedules allow.

Several years ago, I attended my first cookie swap. I came home with 6 different varieties of cookies. I froze most of the cookies and then took them to my extended family's Christmas party and all I had to do was bake one type of cookie.

A cookie swap is a fun way to celebrate the holidays with your friends and family and you can cross baking off of your holiday to-do list.

How to Organize a Cookie Swap

1. Invite your friends and/or family over for hot chocolate or coffee.

2. Ask everyone to bring 3 things to the party:

• One dozen cookies for each of the participants to take home. As the host, you will let everyone know how many packages to prepare. If a dozen is too much, make it a half-dozen. Have the participants bring the cookies already packaged in bags or containers.
• Additional cookies or another treat to share during the party.
• A basket or large bag to take home their new cookies.

3. Make sure to set guidelines in case there are food allergies or issues.

4. At swap time, have the participant's place their baskets or bags around a table. Then each participant should place their packaged cookies in the other participant's baskets.

Some cookies swap recipe ideas:

• White Chocolate Orange Dream Cookies
• Chocolate Whoopie Pies
• Brownie Muffins

What's your favorite holiday cookie? Have you ever hosted or attended a cookie swap? Let us know in the comments.

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Attend Christmas Programs at Church {Day 7 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun}

Day 7 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun ~

Attend Christmas Programs at Church

I'm writing this post on a Saturday morning at Panera Bread. My oldest daughter is at our church rehearsing for the children's musical that they will be performing next week and I have some free time before I need to pick her up.

To celebrate the Birth of Christ, the true meaning of Christmas for many Christians, many churches have concerts, musicals, plays, candle lighting services, and other programs through out December that lead up to the much anticipated Christmas Eve service.

Many churches welcome non-members to attend the activities and they are often open to the community and free to attend.

Most years, I feel that the night of the children's program at our church is the beginning of my family's Christmas celebration. We usually decorate the tree and start shopping long before the night of the program, but the musical reminds me, personally, of why my family celebrates Christmas.

Do you attend any Christmas activities at your church? Let us know in the comments.


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Christmas Crafts {Day 6 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun}

Day 6 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun ~

Christmas Crafts

There is usually a little down time right before Christmas when my kids are off from school, but before our celebrations are in full swing. I like to have craft supplies ready to go for a few Christmas crafts. We use the crafts to give as gifts or to decorate our home, but mostly to keep them entertained and focused on the holiday, so I don't hear the inevitable, "mom, I'm bored" or "mom, can I watch tv?".

Last year we made cardboard Christmas trees. I used them for the centerpiece for our Christmas breakfast.

Two years ago, the girls made Popsicle stick tree ornaments and gave them to their grandparents as gifts.

I started a Pinterest board, Christmas Crafts, to organize some new ideas for this year. If you're on Pinterst, please follow this board or all of my boards. Leave your Pinterst link in the comments below and I'll be sure to follow you too!

What are some Christmas crafts that you've done with your kids? Let us know in the comments.

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PJ's & Pancakes Family Breakfast {Day 5 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun}

Day 5 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun ~

PJ's and Pancakes Family Breakfast

Mornings tend to be rushed at our house, all 7 of them. We rarely get the chance to sit down as a family to enjoy breakfast.

During this hectic Christmas season, take a lazy morning and enjoy pancakes (while in your pj's) for breakfast.

Also, use your holiday plates, linens, and serving dishes and play Christmas music softly in the background. My girls were so excited to use the Christmas stuff that my oldest volunteered to set the table without being asked and that rarely happens.

While eating we took turns finishing the following statements:

• I hope you know...
• I'm really glad...
• I've been thinking...
• I have noticed...

We had the most delightful breakfast. It was relaxing. We talked as a family. We laughed as a family. We celebrated the spirit of the season as a family.

And thankfully, we cleaned up as a family too!

What special family activities do you have planned this season? Please let us know in the comments.

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Build & Decorate a Gingerbread House {Day 4 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun}

Day 4 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun ~

Bake & Decorate a Gingerbread House

The Gingerbread House kits that you find at just about any store, currently, make building and decorating a Gingerbread House easy. The kits come with pre-baked pieces, icing, and the candy.

Every year, I buy two kits at Michael's craft store. This year they are on sale for $8.99 and I used a 20% off sale price coupon. I buy two because for a little more money, both of my girls have their own house, which means NO arguing.

There is definitely some up front prep time with the kits.

As you build the house, there is some waiting time as the icing dries. It's a lesson in patience for little ones who are anxious to decorate the house. But building it is part of the fun too.

Finally, it's time to decorate.

A piece of candy for the house...a piece of candy for her...

Their masterpieces become the focal point of our dining room...until about February when they mysteriously disappear, usually unnoticed by then.

Do you decorate Gingerbread Houses? Do you use a kit? Let us know in the comments.

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Bake & Decorate Gingerbread Men {Day 3 of The 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun}

Day 3 of the 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun ~

Bake & Decorate Gingerbread Men Cookies

One of my favorite Christmas traditions with my kids is also our messiest tradition.

But when you get beyond the mess, there are some great skills that kids can learn when baking and decorating Gingerbread Men (& Girl) cookies.

There's rolling and cutting...

...and decorating...

and the best part, EATING!

I use the McCormick recipe for the cookies and Alton Brown's Royal Icing recipe. You can add a little dye to the icing (see purple dye above) or keep it white. Place icing in a ziploc bag and snip a tiny hole in a bottom corner to pipe out the icing. And use M & M's and other small candy to decorate.

Have fun!

Do you make Gingerbread Men cookies? 

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Attend Holiday Events at Your Local Library {Frugal Holiday Fun}

Day 2 of the 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun ~

Attend Holiday Events at Your Local Library

We are registered for 4 holiday activities this month at our local library. The gingerbread party in the picture above, a Gingerbread Man story time where the kids also decorate a giant gingerbread man cookie, a Family Holiday party, and an American Girl Club holiday party.

The cost for me for all four parties is $11. One dollar for the Gingerbread Man story time to offset the cost of the huge gingerbread man cookie and $10 for the American Girl party because there is a $5 gift exchange and both my kids are participating.

But the fun that my kids will have...Priceless!

So after you read this post, quickly check out your local library's website for information on their events if you haven't done so already. I've found that you have to sign up for events (if required) early, because they fill up fast.

What kinds of events is your local library having for the holidays? Let us know in the comments.

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Plan a Holiday Movie Night {12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun}

Day 1 of the 12 Days of Frugal Holiday Fun ~

Plan a Holiday Movie Night.

Grab some blankets, make some popcorn, and snuggle up as a family for a holiday movie night.

We sat down as a family for our first holiday movie night this past Friday night, but we were distracted by a Duck Dynasty marathon on the A&E channel. I suggested that we try to find a Christmas movie instead, but my idea was quickly shot down.

So we tried it again on Sunday and found the Santa Claus movie with Tim Allen. And we'll snuggle up again and again over the next 22 days for more movie nights.

If you have cable, the ABC Family channel is running their 25 Days of Christmas. Here is their Christmas movie schedule with a wide selection of Christmas movies. Or check your local TV guide for more channels' listings.

If you don't have cable, head to your library and check out their assortment.

What is your favorite holiday movie? Let us know in the comments. Mine? A Christmas Story!


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