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?