Turned off by the commercialism of the day following Thanksgiving? So are we! Here are 12 fun and festive ideas, for simpler ways to spend the day.
1. Go forage greens and make a wreath
Wreath making is such a creative and relaxing activity. There's nothing like getting outdoors, bringing home some wonderful smelling greenery, and getting crafty!
2. Hike or take a long walk
November weather can be hit or miss, in most parts of the country. But if you're blessed with great weather, what a great opportunity to take advantage of a day off, and get outside!
3. Have a painting party
Find a painting class, or invite some friends over to indulge in some paint-y creativity. This could also double as a Thanksgiving leftovers potluck!
4. Go cut down your Christmas tree
This is what's on my family's to-do list this year. We can hardly wait to visit a local farm and go find the perfect fir tree!
5. Volunteer
Many organizations can be a little short staffed around holidays. How about contacting your local pet shelter to see if they need a volunteer dog walker for the day? Or perhaps the community closet could use an extra set of hands sorting free clothing!
6. Celebrating scaling down by de-cluttering
The antithesis of getting more stuff, is getting rid of stuff. So how about having a de-clutter day, and finally ditch that box of cables and cords that live in your broom closet, and go to absolutely nothing? Make it fun with music, and you guessed it--leftovers!
7. Play board games in your PJs
My 9 year old's idea of the perfect day is to play chess ALL day, in her jammies. We could do worse.
8. Make an Advent Calendar
There are oodles of tutorials online for creating fun advent calendars. Find one that strikes your fancy and go for it!
Take it up a notch by making one for each kid...it's fun to have your own way to count down the days until Christmas.
9. Write down a holiday bucket list
Take the nice quiet day to reflect on some of the things you don't want to miss during this brief, but magical season.
In keeping with the theme of not embracing commercialism, here's a whole list of fun Christmas activities that are free!
10. Invite friends over for a leftovers potluck
This can be a great low-effort chance to get together with friends you might not see as often as you like. Chances are, everyone was busy with family on Thanksgiving, but those leftovers are an invitation for an easy "friendsgiving" catch-up day."
11. Take a class
This may not entirely stick with the theme of not spending money, because it likely will cost something. But it still feels like a little protest to learn how to make things, instead of buy things!
12. Write some old-fashioned Christmas Cards
Go old school, by writing out heart-felt holiday cards. Did you know that 100 years ago, most Christmas cards were colorful little postcards, sent through the post for a penny?
Here's a whole collection of vintage Christmas cards that you can download, print, and send to family and friends this year!
Grandma's Favorite Christmas Candy Recipes
While some look forward to endless fresh-baked cookies at Christmas time, there's a whole other crowd that can't wait for one thing: all that homemade candy!
You know the types I'm talking about. The peanut brittle, the chocolate bark, buckeyes, and fudges that used to delight you at Grandma's house as a kid. Here, we've gathered twelve classic favorites to start the season right!
Our 15 Favorite Cranberry Recipes for Christmas
With cranberry harvest season finally upon us, this is the time to really enjoy the zesty flavor of this marvelous little red berry. Here are a dozen recipes that do them justice, and will steal the spotlight on any table.
You'll Be Queen of the Cookie Swap With These 15 Stunning Christmas Cookies
Here are 15 of the most show-stopping Christmas cookies we have ever seen. With clever ideas and doable recipes, all of these are real winners. Make one of these for your next holiday cookie swap, and we bet you come home with the title Baking Queen of 2023!
Early 1900's Christmas Cards You Can Print and Send This Year
Love the look of early 1900's holiday greeting cards? Cards of that era tend to be sweet, sentimental, and charming - and very often a little quirky!
Here are 9 favorite vintage Christmas postcards, scanned from my collection that you can print at home to send your loved ones holiday greetings with a vintage flair this year
Anna Chesley is a freelance writer living a homestead lifestyle, with a special love for family travel, old books, vintage skills, and seaside living. In addition to founding Salt In My Coffee, she runs the website, New England Family Life, as well as The 1800's Housewife, a website devoted to re-creating authentic 1800's recipes.
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