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Enjoying the holidays with little ones doesn’t have to involve collecting more stuff and it definitely doesn’t have to be expensive! There are simple ways to incorporate little touches here and there at home so kids get to experience the joy of the holidays.
Two things this momma loves just as much as my daughter is books and crafts. I have a holiday book basket where I keep the holiday books, and when the holidays approach, I’ll add those books to our kiddos’ bookshelves for us to read together. I love books and seasonal books because they’re fun, educational, and quiet. They provide joy, are great for quiet time, and it keeps the house free of too much excess stuff! (:
Crafts are fun to do during the changing seasons and holidays because they, too, provide joy without adding more things to the house. (Well, maybe they add to a special craft bin if you have one, but those are special memories that can be put away!) Whether you color, paint, get some crafts from the store, or DIY your own activities, it’ll be fun for the kiddos! My daughter likes picking out stickers, which are inexpensive little things kids can have fun picking out that won’t last or take up room. I loved that, too, growing up. You could always send special arts and crafts to loved ones, too, to avoid excess build up. I know my mom, “Nana,” loves getting little homemade things from my daughter. (Don’t worry, we don’t overwhelm family, either. We just send special little projects and coloring pages… a seasonal craft or a special birthday picture in a birthday card… things like that!) You can get creative and make your own fun activities, too. We love gathering leaves from outside and making crayon rubbings, coloring with chalk on big leaves, painting (think those funny hand print turkeys for Thanksgiving!), and more. Fun and inexpensive, yay!
Baking seasonal treats is another way to have fun during the holidays. Kiddos can practice developing important skills and be exposed to concepts like math. Also, the yummy treats won’t last for too long! Little ones tend to love being included in baking, and planning some fun holiday treats will surely bring sweet smiles, fun traditions, and lasting memories! My daughter and I just made some pumpkin spice bread. She helped me measure the ingredients, pour them into a bowl, gently crack eggs, and stir everything together. Was it perfect and clean? Definitely not, but it was so much fun and she seemed to love it! I hope she grows up with wonderful memories of baking with me during the holidays (and the rest of the year, too!).
Another way to minimize extra stuff during the holidays, but also have fun with friends and family, is to find fun seasonal activities to do with your loved ones! I always try to find things that are free, like visiting the pumpkin patch and apple orchards during the fall time or going ice skating during the winter. Extra things will cost a little bit, like some event activities and snacks, but being able to just go and visit some fun places is a great way to build memories without spending too much money. (:
Lastly, just get outside! Enjoy the outdoors and the fresh air… jump into a big pile of raked leaves during the fall. Play in the snow and go sledding during the winter time. Take a walk in the spring and enjoy the beauty of the budding leaves and growing flowers. Take a walk or a drive around the neighborhood and look for holiday decorations. Free, fun, and kids get to enjoy the changing seasons and holidays while spending time outside!
Hopefully these ideas help! There are so many ways to have fun during the holidays with little ones while still maintaining a minimal home and keeping things simple and inexpensive. Remember, it’s not the stuff that kiddos will remember, but rather the fun times they had with loved ones and the joy they felt during the holidays. Being present and building fun memories is the most important thing! (And that’s absolutely free!)
As always, thanks for reading! Happy holidays from our family to yours!
Lots of love,
Anna
