Christmas time is full of traditions for many families.  Sometimes those traditions can add up to a quite a bit of money that comes out of already stretched budgets, however it is possible to have a memorable Christmas on a budget.  The traditions that you start with your family do not have to be expensive to be memorable.  Below is a list of some inexpensive, but fun things that your family will be sure to love, and they will not break your budget.

1.  Hot chocolate and Christmas movies.  On Christmas Eve, make a big batch of hot chocolate and gather around for a Christmas classic.  You can check out movies from your local library for free, and hot chocolate is relatively inexpensive to buy.  Enjoy spending time together with your family at this special time of year.

2.  Bake Christmas cookies.  This is fun, especially if you have small children.  You can make a basic recipe, and let everyone add in their own special things, or just let everyone decorate some cookies however they like.  This is not only fun, but is also a great way to spend quality time together.

3.  Jump in the car and go see some Christmas lights.  If you live in or near a community that is decorated with Christmas light, make an evening out of viewing those lights.

These are just a few examples of how you can have fun and spend family time together without spending extra money, which will hopefully make it easier for you to stay within budget for the year.

photo source:  tinneketin