A memorable festive day doesn’t have to come with a huge price tag. Check out these ideas to bring some smiles and sparkles for next to nothing.
Take a tour of the Christmas lights in your neighbourhood.
Vote for your family favourite along the route. Or why not make a competition of it, by taking along Christmas lights bingo cards and marking off the items as you spot them until you have a winner! Take a look on Pinterest for free printable bingo cards or cut out the readymade ones opposite.
See and smell some real trees!
Wrap up warm and head into the woods. Make the experience even sweeter by taking along hot chocolate in travel mugs and some cookies. For an accessible alternative check out St Mary’s Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Heritage Centre in Gateshead. From 6 to 22 December, the centre will be filled with Christmas trees decorated by local people working with artists.
Explore the beach.
A stroll along the sand or promenade feels great whatever the weather – as long as you’re properly dressed! Collect pebbles to decorate for Christmas or use as name place settings. Sea glass hunting in Seaham might even reward you with something that could be turned into a unique gift for someone special.
Head to museums and galleries.
So many of the North East’s favourite museums and galleries run free activities over the holidays. Visit your favourites or try venturing further afield – most are well served by public transport.
Meet real reindeer.
Various venues offer reindeer visiting over the holidays. Preston Park Museum and Grounds is among them, offering sessions every day from 26 November to 22 December (closed on Mondays). The price is included with a museum ticket and feed is £1 per bag. A quick Google will show other places near you.
Christmas movie night.
Set the scene with comfy seating, blankets and cushions or even bring down the kids’ mattresses and covers to make extra cosy. Draw the curtains, switch off the lights and turn on your favourite film.
Join the parade!
Find out when your local Christmas parade or tree light switch on is taking place – like the Children’s Lantern Parade in Durham Marketplace on 3 December. Throw on your festive sweaters and Santa hats and meet up with friends to make a night of it.
Snuggle up for a story.
Check out your local library for fab and free story time sessions that little ones love. Or try making a cosy reading nook at home and enjoy your favourite books.
Sing a song of Christmas.
Few things feel as festive as Christmas carols! Look out for family events in your local church or community centre or try Durham Cathedral for a picture-perfect backdrop.
Climb a hill and take in that wintery view.
Whether it’s Penshaw Monument or Roseberry Topping – pick your favourite peak, pack a flask and something tasty and head for the top!
Eat with more for less.
Try a shared table when eating with friends and family. Each person makes a dish and everyone shares the food and costs.
Sign the kids up for free holiday activities.
Packed with all kinds of new experiences and fun activities – along with a tasty lunch – it could be just what you’re looking for to keep the kids busy and well-fed over the holidays. Local councils will promote their own programme of holiday activities in their area. Visit www.karbonhomes.co.uk/holidayactivities for how to find local information.
Make your own decorations.
Snip foliage from the garden or head to the woods and fill a bag with whatever you find and bring it home to fill vases or decorate the mantlepiece. Holly, ivy and fir tree branches all look and smell amazing.
A memorable festive day doesn’t have to come with a huge price tag. Check out these ideas to bring some smiles and sparkles for next to nothing.
Take a tour of the Christmas lights in your neighbourhood.
Vote for your family favourite along the route. Or why not make a competition of it, by taking along Christmas lights bingo cards and marking off the items as you spot them until you have a winner! Take a look on Pinterest for free printable bingo cards or cut out the readymade ones opposite.
See and smell some real trees!
Wrap up warm and head into the woods. Make the experience even sweeter by taking along hot chocolate in travel mugs and some cookies. For an accessible alternative check out St Mary’s Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Heritage Centre in Gateshead. From 6 to 22 December, the centre will be filled with Christmas trees decorated by local people working with artists.
Explore the beach.
A stroll along the sand or promenade feels great whatever the weather – as long as you’re properly dressed! Collect pebbles to decorate for Christmas or use as name place settings. Sea glass hunting in Seaham might even reward you with something that could be turned into a unique gift for someone special.
Head to museums and galleries.
So many of the North East’s favourite museums and galleries run free activities over the holidays. Visit your favourites or try venturing further afield – most are well served by public transport.
Meet real reindeer.
Various venues offer reindeer visiting over the holidays. Preston Park Museum and Grounds is among them, offering sessions every day from 26 November to 22 December (closed on Mondays). The price is included with a museum ticket and feed is £1 per bag. A quick Google will show other places near you.
Christmas movie night.
Set the scene with comfy seating, blankets and cushions or even bring down the kids’ mattresses and covers to make extra cosy. Draw the curtains, switch off the lights and turn on your favourite film.
Join the parade!
Find out when your local Christmas parade or tree light switch on is taking place – like the Children’s Lantern Parade in Durham Marketplace on 3 December. Throw on your festive sweaters and Santa hats and meet up with friends to make a night of it.
Snuggle up for a story.
Check out your local library for fab and free story time sessions that little ones love. Or try making a cosy reading nook at home and enjoy your favourite books.
Sing a song of Christmas.
Few things feel as festive as Christmas carols! Look out for family events in your local church or community centre or try Durham Cathedral for a picture-perfect backdrop.
Climb a hill and take in that wintery view.
Whether it’s Penshaw Monument or Roseberry Topping – pick your favourite peak, pack a flask and something tasty and head for the top!
Eat with more for less.
Try a shared table when eating with friends and family. Each person makes a dish and everyone shares the food and costs.
Sign the kids up for free holiday activities.
Packed with all kinds of new experiences and fun activities – along with a tasty lunch – it could be just what you’re looking for to keep the kids busy and well-fed over the holidays. Local councils will promote their own programme of holiday activities in their area. Visit www.karbonhomes.co.uk/holidayactivities for how to find local information.
Make your own decorations.
Snip foliage from the garden or head to the woods and fill a bag with whatever you find and bring it home to fill vases or decorate the mantlepiece. Holly, ivy and fir tree branches all look and smell amazing.
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