With everyone focusing on purchasing gifts for loved ones, purchasing decorations for homes, and making end of year charitable contributions, it hardly seems like there is enough money left over to enjoy all the holiday season has to offer for ourselves.
I thought I would take the time to discuss free or very cheap holiday resources so that even in the midst of all of this purchasing, we can take in and enjoy this beautiful season.
Free Christmas Music
If you are in the mood for Christmas tunes at the office or for in front of the fireplace, check out Pandora’s free Christmas Radio [1]. For some free Indie Christmas Music downloads [2], check out Feelslikechristmas.com. The music is categorized by vocal, instrumental, traditional, and contemporary.
Free Correspondence to Santa and Others
Santa has upgraded in the past few years and is available online, by twitter [3], and he even has a blog [4]! Sit with your child and email a letter to Santa [5]…he will even write your child back!
123Greetings [6] and Freeecardsonline [7] are two websites that will help you spread some email cheer this year to family and friends.
State Park Holiday Activities
I was pleasantly surprised to find a new resource for cheap holiday fun this year: state parks. Some of the activities in Texas state parks (where I live) include “A Sailor’s Christmas†at the Battleship Texas State Historic Site, Caroling through Penn Farm, Full Moon Hike with Santa, and Breakfast with the Birds and Santa. The fee for each is around $6-$7, or a donation (also it is not clear whether or not the entry to the park is covered with this fee or if that is additional). Check out the websites of your own state parks to see what sort of holiday activities they offer—you might be as pleasantly surprised as I am.
Free Holiday Apps
There are also holiday games you can download for free, such as Cut the Rope: Holiday Gift for iTunes [8]. For some background entertainment, download snowfall wallpaper [9], Christmas Tree live [10], or a talking Santa [11] for Android.
More Fun Ways to Spread Holiday Cheer
- 5 Free Holiday Web Services [12]
- Frugal Holiday Traditions to Introduce in Your Family [13]
- 5 Alternative and Creative Gift Giving Ideas [14]
- Frgual Holiday Celebrations [15]
I hope these help to increase your holiday cheer. If you have any other great free or cheap holiday resources, please share them in the comments below!