Family-Friendly Holiday Activities on a Budget

Posted on December 16, 2025 by Business Development Rep Samantha

From decking the halls and shopping for everyone on your nice list, to joining in on festive activities that spread joy – the holiday season can quickly become the most expensive time of the year. Luckily, making the holidays feel magical for your family doesn’t have to come with a big price tag. Check out these low cost, family-friendly activities that are guaranteed to get the whole family in the holiday spirit.

1. Festive Walk or Drive to See Holiday Lights

Bundle up and embark on a festive walk or drive through a neighborhood that is decked out in holiday lights and classic character inflatables. Your community’s front yard displays can help transform an ordinary winter night into something special (without a price tag).

2. Holiday Movie Marathon

Bring the movie theater to your living room by hosting a holiday movie marathon! Decide on the perfect line-up of movies that will get you and your family in the spirit. Many holiday classics play free on various television networks throughout the season or can be rented on streaming services – often for a fraction of the price of movie theater tickets. Repurpose blankets, pillows, and cushions to create a cozy set-up. To elevate the experience even further, consider making a holiday-themed “concession stand” out of items you have in your pantry or that can be purchased affordably. Create a hot chocolate bar with all the fixings, make festive popcorn with holiday sprinkles, or bake seasonal cookies to enjoy.

3. Make Homemade Ornaments

Turn your kitchen into your own version of Santa’s workshop by crafting homemade ornaments. With a few affordable supplies that can be found at local dollar and craft stores, you can create magical memories and holiday keepsakes. Not only will you end up with a Christmas tree of meaningful ornaments – they make great gifts for friends and family members, too.

If you’re looking for inspiration, check out these bead candy cane ornaments. All you need are pipe cleaners, festive colored beads, string, and ribbon!

4. Enjoy Local Events

Many towns host free or low cost events to spread holiday cheer in the community – and yours might be one of them! Keep your eye out for festive activities like Christmas tree or Menorah lightings, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and family-fun days with seasonal crafts and games. You can find activities like this posted on your town or county website, in public groups or forums on Facebook and Nextdoor, or from flyers around the community. If you’re in Monmouth or Ocean Counties in New Jersey, check out our monthly Things to Do on a Budget blog posts – which feature local, affordable, and family-friendly activities for the season.

5. Start a Gratitude Jar

‘Tis the season to reflect on everything you’re grateful for, and a gratitude jar can help you express gratitude each day of the holiday season! You can start this tradition by encouraging your family to set time aside daily to write a note expressing a moment – big or small, in which they are thankful for or that brought them joy. These notes should be dropped into your “gratitude jar,” which should be kept in a visible spot so that everyone remembers to add their note daily. At the end of the season, gather your family together to read notes from the jar. This is a great opportunity to reflect on the year and share one another’s favorite moments and memories. Plus, with the hustle-and-bustle of the holiday season – it can be easy to forget the simple things that brought a smile to your face this year.

6. Create Your Own Family Holiday Story

Tap into your family’s creative side to make a holiday story. To involve the whole crew, consider splitting up storytelling responsibilities. For example, the children can create the characters, and the parents can decide on a theme and plot. You might center your story around a task that must be completed as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, or throw a festive holiday spin on the main character’s activities. After your idea has been developed, it’s time to bring the story to life by writing the narrative and adding illustrations. The magic of crafting a holiday tale is that the story can go wherever your imagination takes you. This activity will leave you with special memories and a story that can be incorporated into holiday traditions for years to come.

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First Financial wishes you and yours a wonderful holiday season!

DIY Holiday Crafts and Treats Good Enough to Gift

Posted on December 5, 2025 by VP of Marketing and Business Development Jessica

This holiday season, the most meaningful presents don’t always come from a store – they come from the heart. Handmade gifts show thought, care, and creativity – plus they’re a great way to celebrate the season without stretching your budget.

Here are a few DIY gift ideas that are simple to make, will go easy on your holiday budget, and are guaranteed to bring joy. Click each link below for additional inspiration:

Handmade ornaments. Try festive ideas like cinnamon-stick ornaments, yarn trees, decorated mason jar lids, or cozy holiday gnomes.
Homemade treats. A batch of holiday cookies, spiced nuts, or peppermint bark is always a hit and adds a personal touch to any gift basket.
DIY self-care gifts. Create your own candles, bath salts, or sugar scrubs – perfect for someone who could use a little extra relaxation.
Memory jars or handwritten cards. Fill a jar with favorite memories, affirmations, and “open when” notes, or craft a beautiful handmade card.
Crafted home décor. Think mini craft-stick trees, homemade garlands, or stovetop simmering spice jars for cozy holiday vibes.

Why go handmade?

Handmade gifts feel more personal and meaningful.
They’re budget-friendly during an expensive time of year.
Crafting gives you a chance to slow down, get creative, and enjoy the season.

This holiday season, trade in the shopping rush for handmade magic. Whether it’s a batch of cookies, a soft-lit candle, or a homemade ornament – you’ll be giving more than a gift, you’ll also be giving meaning.

From all of us at First Financial, happy crafting and Happy Holidays!

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Easy Ways to Save Money During the Holiday Season

Posted on December 13, 2021 by VP of Marketing and Business Development Jessica

Have you started your holiday shopping yet (hopefully)? If you are needing some additional money or looking for ways to save this year, keep reading to find out a few easy ways to keep costs in check from now until the new year.

Only use cash: We’re living in an online world that makes spending money quick, too easy, and through electronic means. If you don’t usually carry cash, this is a friendly reminder that to pay for items – you physically need to shell out the money. This will feel more personal and be a better option if there is a budget you need to stay in line with (which hopefully you made a holiday shopping budget before starting to shop). Using cash is usually enough to make you think twice about what you are buying.

Write everything down: Every time you make a holiday purchase, write it down or save it in a note on your phone. By physically writing down or typing every dollar you use, you’ll quickly realize just how much money you are spending. This also works for non-holiday purchases this time of year. Also jot down other things you are buying (coffee, food, a pack of gum, etc.) for the month to help you realize where you can cut back and what might be unnecessary, impulse purchases. Hopefully this will be a wake-up call to help you cut back on any needless spending.

Layer up: Decreasing your electric or gas bill is another great way to save money this month. Sure, winter is coming in a couple weeks and it may be getting colder – but depending on where you live, your heat may not need to be fully on just yet (or it could at least be lower during the day when no one is home, or at night when you are wrapped up in warm blankets anyway). If the cold doesn’t bother you too much this December, grab a blanket, heavy sweatshirt, and socks – and turn the thermostat down. Dressing in layers can help keep you warmer too.

And there you have it, simple and easy ways to save some money this month!

Article Source: CUInsight.com