10 Ways To Enjoy A No-Gift Holiday

Everywhere we go this time of year, we get the same message: You need to spend a LOT of money to give your kids the perfect holiday season. In fact, according to a recent survey from the personal-finance website Bankrate, almost half of Americans feel pressured to spend more than they’d like to on holiday gifts.

 Does it really have to be this way? Is it possible to give your kids a magical holiday without expensive gifts?

While transitioning from a consumer-based holiday can be challenging, you may discover that changing the focus away from gifts will actually make the season even more magical.  Here are 10 ways to have a meaningful holiday without store bought gifts.

Create together

Whether it’s a baking contest, a mural, or a mosaic, spending the day working together to create something special will be a memory your family cherishes forever.  For added expectation and to make the activity even more meaningful, start planning well in advance of the holiday. For example, collect scraps of clothing and old blankets throughout the year and then begin making a family quilt on Christmas Day.  

Make a scavenger hunt

Create a scavenguer hunt around your home with clues that are meaningful to your family. For instance, “Look under the couch where Anna lost her first tooth”. Revisiting cherished memories strengthens family bonds and brings a lot of laughter and fun.  At the end of the scavenger hunt, you can place a special gift like a memory book or even just something simple like homemade cookies.

See a show

There’s nothing like music to put us in the holiday mood. There are so many amazing theatrical and musical performances around the holidays. Spend time scouring local news to find shows that are unique or especially meaningful. Then get dressed up sparkly, and head out for an unforgettable night on the town.

Participate in a performance 

While watching a show is great fun, participating in one can be even better! Work on a family play and then do a performance for neighborhood friends or visiting relatives. If doing a whole performance seems daunting, join a caroling group or hold a neighborhood sing-a-long. There are few joys as great as singing with people you care about.

Have a party

You don’t need expensive gifts to throw a fun party! Have a neighborhood potluck where everyone brings meals that are traditional in their family. Play group games, have a dance party, sing karaoke. These are all activities that will bring people together and create lasting memories without spending a ton of money. 

Go on an adventure

Whether it’s a day at the art museum or a trip to Paris, a family adventure is a great way to shift away from gifts to experiences and time together.  Families that aren’t able to afford a lengthy vacation away can aim for a fun day or two adventure.  Place a savings box in the house somewhere and have family members drop in money throughout the year. Then, make a big deal of counting the money during the holiday season and seeing how much you’ve saved and what adventure you’ll be able to afford. The feeling of working together to achieve a common goal will be something your kids won’t soon forget.


Have a “You” Day

While flashy gifts can bring shorterm joy, it’s deep connections with loved ones that will really matter more in the longterm. Give your children the gift of time and attention. Pick a day for each child around the holidays where they can choose what meals to eat, what activities to do, and what music to play. Feeling truly seen and heard by with the people they love most will be a cherished memory for years to come.

Raise money for a charity

The holidays can be a great time to remember your blessings and reach out to others who may not have as much. Spend time as a family considering which charities are most meaningful to you. Hold bake sales, lemonade stands, or other charity events during the year. Make a big celebration out of counting the money you earned and sending in your donations. Challenge yourselves to earn a little more every year.

Do something good for the Earth

Remember the blessings of a viable planet. This holiday season, your family can help the Earth by doing things like committing to eating less meat, going plastic-free, or setting up a composting area in your yard.  Make the activities fun for little ones by baking special organic treats or decorating flower pots. 

Make homemade gifts

You don’t have to completely abandon the idea of holiday gift-giving. The good feelings of giving and receiving are real and important.  But the joy of expensive store-bought gifts isn’t always worth the impact on the planet or the financial strain. Instead, consider making homemade gifts for each of your loved ones. Homemade jams, quilts, paintings, and even poetry are gifts that will continue bringing joy well past Christmas morning. 



Raduca Kaplan