5 Simple & Inexpensive Ideas for a Memorable Christmas

These 5 simple and budget-friendly ideas will inspire you to dream up your own plans for a memorable Christmas. Grab your mug of cocoa, plug in the twinkly lights, and let’s plan!

idea #1 – cozy up with a good book (or two)

Choose a Christmas-themed chapter book or classic novel to read over the next few weeks. You could also choose to read aloud with your husband or as a family. This year, I decided to read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens on my own (we’re currently reading On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder as a family) and I’m so enjoying my first foray into the world of Dickens. Delving into some heart-stirring or just plain fun books is an affordable way to cherish the holiday season. You can browse friends’ bookshelves or . . .

You can also hit the library and pick out a big stack of children’s books to read aloud with your kiddos over the coming weeks. Place them in a pretty basket or crate to encourage your kids to pick them up on their own AND add a sweet touch of holiday cheer to your living space.

As a family, we’ve been slowly building our library of Christmas books over the past few years. My kiddos get SO excited when it’s time to pull out our special books (we only bring them out for Christmastime!) and even as young as they are, we already have rich memories built around these books.

Idea #2 – whip up something delicious in the kitchen

Chances are, you can very quickly come up with a list of special treats and dishes that are thick with nostalgia and fond memories. My Grams’ scalloped corn, cranberry-orange bread, and Aunt Kay’s cocoa fudge are just a few that make my list. What could you craft in the kitchen that will delight taste buds and recall happy memories?

Turning out some special foods in your own kitchen is generally much more budget-friendly than buying prepared items from the grocery store or bakery. Plus, there are the memories made as you work in the kitchen.

If you love your hot beverages, then you are probably all about the fun holiday drinks at this time of year. I am a huge fan of Starbucks’ Salted Caramel Mocha, but at almost $5 for the smallest size, that’s not something I’m going to be sipping all the time! So instead, I’ve purchased some of their seasonal coffee blends to enjoy at home for around $6 a bag. My favorites are Peppermint Mocha and Cinnamon Dulce.

A wintery treat we are loving right now are these Fudgy Peppermint Brownies – I’ve made them twice now in the last few weeks! They are gluten-free and they taste especially good served warm with some vanilla ice cream.

Idea #3 – center your heart on jesus

The days of December pass quickly. And in our desire to make much of the birth of Jesus, we often fill our days with so much activity that we can scarcely draw a breath. Now, I’m not encouraging you to be a hermit this month. I realize there are many wonderful activities and gatherings happening this month – and I’m excited to participate in some of them! But mamas, can I encourage us to remember that Jesus is the true aim and delight of all our celebrating?

One of the best ways I have found to center my heart on Jesus and the wonder of His birth is to soak in His Word through Advent-themed devotionals or podcasts. Observing Advent doesn’t have to be complicated or look just one way. Simply put, it’s a remembrance of the waiting and longing for our Redeemer, Jesus, as experienced by those in ancient times. And even now, it tunes our hearts to anticipate the impending return of Jesus for His children.

During our evening family worship, we are going through an Advent devotional by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. This devotional was a free gift sent to us as Revive Our Hearts ministry partners. We loved last year’s devotional and this year’s, Considering Jesus, has been a blessing, as well.

Here again, there are inexpensive ways to cherish Jesus as we approach Christmas. Below are a handful of free resources that will center your heart on Jesus this season and kindle a fresh wonder over His birth!

• O Come, O Come Emmanuel (podcast from Revive Our Hearts)
• The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent free PDF download by John Piper
• Celebrate Christmas Glory: An Advent Devotional free online from Revive Our Hearts
• Good News of Great Joy: 25 Advent Meditations daily podcast by John Piper
• Advent Companions: The Books and Music I Love in the Season of Waiting blog post by Sarah Clarkson

Idea #4 – cultivate a contented heart as you decorate

It’s no secret that I love decorating my home and in general, making things beautiful. But if I’m not careful, I can quickly become discontent with the budget or decor I have to work with as I browse Instagram or Pinterest. I have to remind my beauty-loving heart that the point of all this Christmas loveliness is not simply to create a space that is pleasing to the eye or Instagram-worthy.

Instead, I pray that God would give me His creativity for His purposes… so that as I form fragrant evergreens into a wreath or arrange Advent candles on a plate, the results would draw hearts to the beauty of the humble King who came as a baby to save us.

On a practical level, be creative! Think through the items you’re wanting to purchase. Could you repurpose items you already have in your home?

Cut pine from trees in your yard or a friend’s. Buy some inexpensive bundles from the grocery store. This year, I purchased two $5 bundles of mixed greenery and used them in various places around our home: as door wreath, on shelves, and in bottles. Our home is small, so that amount worked well for us. It was enough.

Challenge yourself to work with items you already own. You could round up candles you have around the house and put them on a pretty tray or plate. Or give yourself a small budget and hit a few thrift shops! Whatever your budget or situation, be content with the means God has given you for making your home beautiful this season.

Idea #5 – turn outward

And lastly, make this Christmas turning memorable by turning your gaze outward. Whom could you bless? It’s easy for us as moms to get caught up in cultivating our family traditions, decorating our homes, and perfecting our Christmas card design.

Pray about specific ways you can turn outward and show the love of Christ to people in your life. This is a great project to involve your kids in, as well! If your kiddos are anything like mine, they’re more than a little preoccupied with what presents they might be receiving on Christmas Day! Encouraging them to think about how to bless others is a wonderful exercise in selflessness.

Some ideas I’ve pondered for myself:

• making caramel corn for our neighbors and hanging on their door with a kind note
• taking a pot of soup and bread to a busy friend and her family
• inviting friends over hot drinks and dessert
• taking the time to write an encouraging note to a friend

I hope you were inspired by these ideas! To help you with planning out your simple and intentional Christmas, I designed a FREE printable worksheet for you to download and print.

Get your free printable here.

The worksheet was inspired by my friend, Mandy, who coined the phrase, “Christmas Aspirations”. She would ask, “What are your Christmas aspirations? The things you’re aspiring to do over throughout the holiday?”

Instead of writing down all my holiday goals and to-do’s, there’s a simplicity in jotting down some “aspirations”. This means thinking through these special activities, but also not stressing if they don’t happen. And I love approaching it from that angle.

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