Holiday Fun On a Budget
2024 holiday fun on a budget
Lucy Schiff '26
Sports Page Editor
Sometimes, finding affordable fun winter activities can be challenging. Fortunately for you, I have many budget friendly, creative activities that you can do on a budget or even for free! If you are struggling to find zero cost but still exciting activities, take a look at some of these ideas!
For all the drivers out there, why not take yourself and a friend out to see Christmas lights around the neighborhood! If there aren’t many decorated houses in your own neighborhood, drive over to Candy Cane Lane! Every year, residents who live on Lubao Ave & Oxnard St Woodland Hills, CA 91367,, or more commonly known as Candy Cane Lane, go to extreme lengths to decorate their houses as festive and eye-catching as possible. It is really unique, great for sightseeing, and an inexpensive way to fill an open evening.
Christmas tree inspo in stores
Another fun and free activity for this winter season is a holiday neighborhood scavenger hunt! Create a list with your friends and go out into the neighborhood and see who can complete it first! Include holiday decorations, specific-shaped rocks, certain colors oramount of leaves, addresses with the numbers 567 in them, look for 10 dogs or spot bikers! Be creative and use what you have around you to fuel your ideas! You and your friends can create teams and set timers to see who can finish the fastest.
Lastly, a zero-cost activity to do with friends or family is re-creating an iconic movie scene using iMovie, or creating your own Christmas concert. Come up with a script or dance routine and create your own costumes. You can perform or screen your end product of the movie/scene re-creation with a Hollywood-esque premiere.
On the other hand, if you are able to spend some money on activities, here are some easy and accessible to all.
Decorated Christmas tree inspo
An obvious yet never disappointing activity is ice skating! At most rinks, like The Holiday Ice Rink in Pershing Square, a general entry ticket is only $20. However if you want to rent a locker it will cost an extra $5. As well as a Skate helper will cost an extra $6. This is a fun way to get out of the house and outside but still making memories with friends.
Secondly, a fun at home activity is DIY christmas ornaments. The craft store Michaels has many decorations and crafts that can help you create your own Christmas tree ornaments. Let your imagination guide you! Depending on what you buy, the cost can be anywhere from 20-30 dollars. Again, be creative but do not forget, if you're at a loss of ideas, Pinterest has many you could use as inspiration!
Also, Joann’s Fabric store has many festive fabrics that you can buy to create your own Christmas blankets. Depending on how much fabric you buy, the price will range, anywhere from $2.99 to $7.99. Youtube, TikTok and Pinterest have tutorials on how to make the blankets if you need a helping hand at any point in the process.
Ultimately, there are many festive Christmas themed activities to do that are not limited to spending money. This holiday season, channel your inner Curious George and make the most of what you have!