10 Christmas Traditions For Families On A Budget
When I think back on my Christmas’ as a kid it isn’t the gifts that first come to mind, it is the Christmas traditions. Leaving cookies out for Santa, finding and getting a Christmas tree at the Bargaineer Parking lot (currently Curtis Liquors) in Weymouth, listening to Christmas music and seeing Christmas lights in different neighborhood. My family still laughs about the time in either 1977 or 1978 we we got lost trying to find Logan Drive in Braintree. there was no gps then 
Advent Calendar
An advent calendar does not have to cost money . All an advent calendar has to do is help your children count down the days until Christmas.
One idea is to make a paper chain of 25 paper rings. Break one per day. If you have a little more to spend pick up a bag of peppermint candies . Count out 25, stick them to a piece of red or green construction paper in a way that makes a tree shape.
Not at all crafty? check local grocery stores like Market Basket, Stop & Shop for pre-made ones that are filled with chocolate. Generally they cost less than $10 each at most stores
Special Start Days
This is 100% free and makes the holiday season a bit more special. Have a set day that you decorate the tree each year. A set day when your family can crank the Christmas tunes for the first time. A set day for Christmas baking. You get the idea. We do the day after Thanksgiving that is our tradition to get the tree down from the attic . When driving we only listen to Christmas music on the radio-think Magic 106.7 or WROR which are Christmas music only.
Visit the Local Lights
Some South Shore neighborhoods are known to have the over the top decorating their home in lights and driving by is free. Some have lights that dance to music . The latest list of great light displays here
La Salette Shrine in Attleboro has a beautiful light display that is free and enjoy. They do have some extra like hayrides and hot chocolate. Open nightly each year from after Thanksgiving to New Years
Middleboro also has a put up huge Festival of Lights in the KOA campground the last 2 weekends of the holiday season. They charge by carload but lots of fun to attend.
Christmas Movie Night
Elf, Christmas Vacation, Miracle on 34th St!! Whether it is the same show year after year or a different one each time, watching a Christmas movie with all the lights out except for the Christmas tree has its own holiday magic feel. There are plenty on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon. Plus the 25 days of Christmas on tv always has good selections.
Cookie Decorating
We have done special day where we make a batch of sugar cookies and once they were cooled we decorated them as a family. Get the Christmas outs as well as lots of frosting! You can also share with them with friends, neighbors and family.
Homemade Ornaments
My family has done this one on and off through out the years. We like using unfinished wooden Christmas ornaments that you can get at AC Moore or Michaels craft stores . On the back we always write the person who colored it and the date. These are now some of my most cherished Christmas ornaments even though they cost well under $1.00
Find a Free Santa and take pictures
You don’t need to to mall and pay $50 or more to get fancy Santa pictures. In 2018 Westgate Mall has offered free Santa pictures. Also many local farms have Santa that shows up and you can take a picture on your phone , get them printed out at the Walgreens or Walmart. Find out 2018 Santa sightings here
Family Sleepover Around The Christmas Tree
The Kids will love this! Pick one night during the Christmas season where you as a family sleep in the same room as the Christmas tree–the closer to it the better.
Feed The Reindeer Christmas Eve
There are all sorts of recipes out there for reindeer food but basically it is just oats mixed with Christmas themed sprinkles. Make up a tiny bowl for each kid and let them spread it on the front steps before bed “so as to attract Santa’s reindeer”
Attend a holiday Stroll , Concert, Parade, Live Nativity,
Here on the South Shore from Quincy to PLymouth there is usually plenty of free Christmas plays, concerts, parades and live nativity scenes for families to enjoy. Don’t forget to check out what you local library has to offer as well. Our kids have enjoyed free Christmas crafts, Christmas themed story hours and more thanks to our local library. We have all the Christmas events listed here
