Frugal and Fun Holiday Traditions (Frugal Holiday Series Part II)

Welcome to the Frugal Christmas Series! Let’s all spread some holiday cheer by sharing our great money saving ideas!

Last week we talked about Frugal Gifts, Crafts and Decorations. As of this writing, there are over 20 articles linked, and it’s not to late to add a link there if you have one! But we are also moving on and this week we are going to share our holiday traditions.

I love the way that family traditions can give a sense of formality and continuity to life. They can make small moments into occasions, or even into celebrations! I like the way they can bind one generation to the next, just by being continued.

I love being able to tell my kids, when we take them out to eat on their birthday, how Cici and Grandpa used to take me out on my birthday, and how special it was. (With 5 kids, the time alone with my parents was just as meaningful as being allowed, just that one day, to order anything we wanted off the menu!)

I love having them excitedly unwrap their new ornament on Christmas Eve (the only present they are allowed to unwrap early), just as I did for all eighteen years I lived at home. I love pointing out to them my own ornaments as they hang on the tree, and telling them the stories behind each choice. “This one is from the first time Cici and Grandpa took us to Disney Land” “This flute is because I played flute in the school band”. . .

I love that my children go to their grandma’s house and have shrimp cocktail before Thanksgiving dinner in little footed glass dishes that belonged to their Great Nana, and then sit down to a meal that includes not only the standard fare, but also family specific favorites like scalloped oysters and creamed onions, just like their Papa always did as a child at his grandmother’s house.

Traditions are rarely expensive-for example snuggling on the couch on Christmas Eve reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas” doesn’t cost a cent.

You don’t have to grow up doing something in order to have family traditions either! Let’s face it, some folks didn’t grow up in the most warm, loving environments. Holidays may have been non-existant at best or stressful and unpleasant at worst. Or maybe your family just didn’t have those types of celebrations.

That’s ok-traditions are an opportunity to create something new, and positive, for your own family. To add something wonderful for the next generation. Just decided on something that is meaningful and works for your family, and then try to repeat it yearly. After one or two iterations, you’ll be catching flack from the kiddos if you skip it 🙂

So everyone, please take a few minute and share with us your family’s holiday traditions-either past or current. And again, this series is not just for the Christians, I’d love to hear the traditions of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule etc. I’m one of those folks who is just interested in learning about everything!

Two years ago I wrote a series for Christmas just on my family’s traditions. So to start the ball rolling, I’ll link to mine! But I expect the rest of you to join in! It’s easy to do. Just write a post (or dig through your archives) and then come here and link it in the Mr. Linky below. Make sure that:

1-You give us a hint of your topic in parenthesis like this-

2-Link back to this post in your post (so folks can come and look at everyone’s fantastic ideas)

3-Grab the badge from my sidebar and put it on your site. That will spread the love around and help everyone to find the series. After all, who couldn’t use some help this season on how to make their holidays brighter on the cheap?

If you don’t have a blog, please feel free to enter by sending something to me via my contact form or to simply leave a comment!

I can’t wait to see all of your ideas.

Oh, and coming next week is Frugal Holiday Recipes. Plan your posting accordingly!