Four Budget Friendly Ways to Celebrate the Season

The holidays are here! And while this is usually a very joyous time of year spent with friends and loved ones, it can also cause a little bit of financial stress. However, the real reason for the season shouldn’t be about breaking the bank to buy extravagant Christmas gifts. There are lots of fun budget-friendly ways to celebrate the season without causing unnecessary stress.

Fellowship Square offers four inexpensive (or free!) and fun ways to celebrate the holidays this season.

Host a Holiday Movie Night —

who needs to go out when snuggling up with friends and loved ones for a classic Christmas movie marathon is so cozy and inviting? Encourage guests to bring their favorite flicks. Then pop some popcorn, heat up some hot cocoa (don’t forget the whipped cream!), and settle in for a long winter’s … movie night!

Drive Around to Look at Christmas Lights —

Gather the family, put some hot chocolate or coffee in to-go mugs, and hit the road! Turn on the Christmas tunes and get in the spirit of the season while checking out some of the valley’s most spectacular lights! It’s not necessary to pay big bucks for a drive-through light show, neighborhoods and public spaces around town are lit up and welcome guests to cruise by to check out their displays. Some offer walk-through areas while others have light shows that are coordinated to music. Do a little research and map out a route to save gas before heading out for a night of light viewing.

Send Handwritten Cards or Make Gifts from the Heart —

Seniors, now’s the time to let those talents shine! Those that love knitting, woodworking, jewelry-making — know that a gift of a handmade item would mean the world to a loved one or friend. So without the stress of spending a lot this season, spend some time making gifts from the heart with those God-given talents. These are the most meaningful gifts and the ones that are sure to become treasured heirlooms as part of the legacy seniors create and leave behind for their families.

Have a Pot-Luck Party, Cookie Exchange, or Progressive Dinner Experience —

Want to have a party but share a little of the burden that the host generally takes on for a festive fete? Why not have a pot-luck party and invite guests to bring their favorite holiday dish? A classic cookie exchange is another fun way to get together with loved ones and friends to celebrate the season without the expense of hosting a full-fledged Christmas feast. Or get together with neighbors to orchestrate a fun and informal progressive dining event, during which guests travel from home to home, enjoying one “course” (or simply a variety of light bites and desserts) at each destination. 

The holiday season can become stressful, especially when it comes to seniors’ budgets. But Fellowship Square reminds seniors, their loved ones, and their caretakers that more emphasis should be placed on spending quality time together versus spending money to create a lavish Christmas based focused on pricey gifts.