At times, it may seem like I am some type of American uber-consumer. Rest assured, that is not the case. I do not even come close to participating in every deal and offer we post here on Smart Spending Spot. And while my kids do have too many toys, and we are getting them things for Christmas–for the most part we are trying to raise them with decent values, rejecting materialism and judging others by how much they have. If you knew us personally, you’d know that we are not trying to keep up with the Joneses.
On the news, we keep hearing all the time how Americans are out of work and hurting. It very much personalizes it for me when one of my readers makes a comment reinforcing this fact. And no, I don’t want you to stop commenting! I love hearing from you. It makes me sad, because by nature I have a ‘problem solver’ personality, and this is a problem I can’t solve. In my perfect world, I’d win the lottery and fulfill all my readers’ wish lists. But since I don’t really view lottery tickets as Smart Spending, that’s not likely to happen.
In the media and marketing Christmas frenzy, I remind myself–my best Christmas memories are not about things, they are about activities. The same will be true for my children. Twenty years from now, they’re not going to say “Remember the year I got the ‘name any toy’?” They’re going to talk about things we did. In that spirit, I decided to host this blog hop, in hopes of bringing many of you fun, free or low cost activities to do with your family this holiday season.
Here’s my idea: Christmas cookies, hot chocolate and free holiday lights displays. Here in and around Philadelphia, we have many to choose from.
Using coupons or sales, you can get a pouch of cookie dough mix and the egg & butter for under $5. Or, go very fast & easy and get the refrigerated cookie dough (sugar cookie mix) for very cheap, and then just purchase a few decorating supplies at your local dollar store. Either make your cookies before hand, load up some hot chocolate in a thermos or travel mug, and take it all with you while you’re out enjoying the lights. Or, go out and enjoy the lights and have the cookies & hot cocoa when you get home. Whatever you choose, it can be a very inexpensive way to have a really fun evening. Do it every year, and you’re creating memories. Already I can hear my kids saying “And every year, we’d go to…….and then come home and eat cookies.” I think our outing will be to Herr’s, I haven’t been there in years!
Bloggers-link up your best free or low cost family activity for the holidays. It can be local to your or national, but please make it more of an activity–not really a deal, k?
I love the light show at Macy’s (in my head, still the old Wannamaker’s!) – free, every hour, on the hour and you can stroll Dicken’s Villiage (get the Santa pic if you like) and stroll through an amazingly decorated department store. The temptation for me to buy a cool new piece of costume jewelery is ALWAYS present (but I am also a Star Rewards member so my discount coupons are always in my bag!) but this year I’ll do this with my son and then stroll around the Christmas Market (at Love Park) just a few blocks away.
I used to work at Broad and Locust and if you don’t mind walking a few blocks, park on Lattimer St (E/W street, between Spruce and Locust – enter from 15th St. south) at The Town Garage. It’s usually $10-11 to park — dirt cheap and your car is safe and you aren’t spending hours looking for street parking, hunting for quarters, or playing the out run/out smart the PPA on a ticket (now $36) as you race back to your car.
I also believe kids under a certain age (maybe 4?) ride free on Septa. And you can ride it right into Suburban Station.
We were also just at Rose Tree Park in Media (Rt. 252 N just north of the Rt.1 interchange) and the park is a wonderland of lights. Totally free.
As a kid, we would take one night to drive around and look at all the Christmas. Free except for gas. Local to me, we have an annual “Festival of Lights” display that you can walk, drive, or take a horse drawn carriage through.
Great post Lisa. It is about the memories – not the stuff! :)
I really want to try to see the Macy’s lights this year, I keep hearing it’s a must. If we take the train (my kids would be free) it would make for a cheap day– AND, the kids would LOVE the train the most, I bet. ;-)