If ever there was a year when spreading Christmas cheer was more essential, it's this one. Lots of families are feeling the pressure on their purse strings right now, so with a little festive creativity we've conjured up some cheap Christmas activities for kids and families that can keep this year fun...but inexpensive.
We have a sackful of simple Christmas activities and traditions to be forged so you can celebrate this year with a light heart and a full bank account!
1. Get an 'elf on the shelf'
As tradition states, the 'elf on the shelf' is when a small toy elf perches on a shelf or other ledge around the house and watches the children's behaviour and reports back to Santa. The fun part is that each morning the kids can awake to a new hilarious scenario that the elf has gotten into overnight, be it attempting to make some toast or writing its name in toothpaste.
Elf on the shelf usually arrives on the 1st of December but if you're late to the game, I'm sure a good argument could be made for you elf having to isolate prior to arriving from the North Pole.
This tradition has also gained celebrity status this year as the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo and Billy Ray Cyrus took to Instagram to showcase their 'You've heard of Elf on the Shelf, but have you heard of…' to help spread some Christmas cheer and have a few laughs themselves.
2. Build a gingerbread house
Truly a timeless classic, building a gingerbread house has to be the pinnacle of festivities around this time of year. This activity is sure to while away a few hours and keep the kids occupied.
Make the whole process a competition to see who can make the best looking or sturdiest house. You can do this by either following a recipe and buying ingredients or purchasing a kit that Sainsbury is currently running for £4.
3. Give back with a reverse advent calendar
This year has taken a great toll on some of us than others, and making sure we put in extra effort to give back and help out is even more poignant in 2020. A reverse advent calendar is a great Christmas activity for families that can get kids involved in helping others.
The idea is that each day, rather than opening the window, you can fill a box with a few food items that can be donated to food banks in your area. Even though we're halfway through the advent month, it's not too late to donate so that some struggling families can also have a good Christmas!
You can call your nearest food bank and ask which items are most needed and what social distancing rules may apply to you dropping off goods.
4. Make spectacular hot chocolates
Who doesn't love a hot chocolate on a cold and rainy day? It's definitely the weather for it right now so get stuck into creating the most delicious cuppa! There is an abundance of recipes out there so you're sure to find one that suits you. Get your sprinkles, whipped cream and cocoa powder out and start making a tasty mess!
And don't be deterred! There are loads of vegan or alternative milk recipes out there so you don't have to feel left out this year.
5. Take a drive to marvel at the Xmas lights
We all know that one house that takes it too far every single year, but who can blame them! Wrapping your entire house in fairy lights and constructing a life-sized nativity scene is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. But, if you like the lights but wouldn't like the electricity bill at the end of the month, take a drive to see the sparkling sights of your neighbours enthusiasm!
You could even rate each house on the tour of lights for effort, style and flair to make it even more fun for everyone involved.
6. Attend a virtual carol concert
Traditional door-to-door carolling won't be happening this year but in true 2020 style, it has been adapted to a virtual setting so nationwide Christmas-lovers can get into the sing-song spirit with big names.
Macmillan Cancer Support is streaming a free carol concert with performances from the like of Joanna Lumley, Benjamin Zephaniah, Stephen Fry and many more. It will be available online until the 31st of December and you can opt to make a donation in the process.
There will also be an adaptation of The Story of Christmas which will star Olivia Coleman, Judi Dench and David Tennant. The aim of this is to raise funds for vital resources that aid disadvantaged and homeless children and it will be available to view from the 16th of December. These two options are fantastic free Christmas activities for families and kids alike and support great causes in need.
7. Send a special letter or parcel to family/friends
Despite the governments plans to lift household mixing measures for Christmas Day, some families may not feel like taking the risk or might live too far to be able to make the journey with the tiers in place. For these people, sending a gift hamper or maybe a special festive parcel, or even the gifts that would normally be exchanged in person could be a close second to brighten your loved ones day this year. So send Christmas in a box now!
At Interparcel we still have lots of services that can have your items delivered in good time for the big day. Our last posting date for the UK is the 24th, so get booking!
8. Make a 'North Pole' themed breakfast
Watch as the kids wake up to a super special North Pole breakfast, with snowman pancakes, reindeer toast and fruit kebab candy canes! Suspend your disbelief and create an imaginative grotto on their plates this year.
Morrisons are even selling £1 Christmas tree shaped crumpets so you've got no excuse for not getting into the spirit. This is a great and inexpensive Christmas activity that you can do with just the bits and bobs you've got in the cupboard too so it won't break the bank.
9. Watch Santa Claus with Nasa
We don't actually mean Santa Claus as obviously, spoiler alert: he's not real (don't show this blog to your children). But, they can spot something that might look a lot like Santa whizz across the night sky near to Christmas.
Nasa's International Space Station is set to make a number of appearances across the UK skies in the run up to Christmas and you can search by your town or city to find the exact details of its crossing for your location.
Or, you can also just visit NoradSanta.org and let the kids watch 'Santas' every move whilst you try and spot the space station yourself!
10. Have a virtual Christmas gathering
We've all gotten well used to used Zoom this year, so what better way to round up the year as we started it, by having a virtual Christmas day. Sadly, we can't all have our usual Christmas day, getting together to have some drinks and a sit-down meal, but recreating this through Zoom could be the next best thing.
Find out what time family and friends will be sitting down to dinner on the big day and arrange a group call so you can all enjoy each other company in the process. Plus, why not finish in true 2020 fashion and do a quiz afterwards that everyone can get involved in!
Here at Interparcel, we want every family to have the best Christmas possible this year because we all deserve it! Finding cheap Christmas ideas or sourcing activities for families that cost little or nothing could be just that push to make this year's festivities life-long traditions and keep everyone entertained indefinitely.
Plus watch this space for little treats to come as we just might have some festive stocking fillers that you can use to send a little sweeter this Christmas and New Year!
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