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I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but its cold outside! Christmas lights are up and everyone seems at least semi-cheerful, which meansyour little monsters holiday break is approaching fast! So, before boredom sets in and they start getting crazy, it’s up to the rents to start planning some activities to keep everyone saneoh and enjoy the season a bit too.

In this economy, especially around the holidays, we are all on a budget, but we also want to make lasting memories for our kids. It seems like an impossibility to keep them occupied without taking them to the movies or a theme park, but it truly can be done.

Try, thinking back to when you were a kid…What stands out most among your holiday memories? I know many of mine come from the simplest times at home with my family.

Here are some pretty neat, inexpensive ideas that will keep the family entertained, and more importantly, together celebrating what the holidays are truly about:

Feeling cooped up?
For those of you who have found yourselves trapped in the house way too long with kids on a sugar-high, get outside! Play in the snow, build a fort, go ice skating, sledding and for those lucky folks down south pull a game of tag or kickball together.
Your kids will love building snowmen together, pelting you with snowballs, and seeing you act like a big kid. Plus, you can burn off all of those calories from those Christmas treats!
The weather outside is frightfulor just not an outdoor person?
Stay in! Build a fire and cozy up with the family. One activity as old as time is pulling out a board game. Your kids will get amped up for the friendly competition, and most games come pretty cheap at places like Target, Walmart, or Toys ‘R Us.
Need help decorating?
Get your kids hands-on involved with the holidays! Let them help you decorate, make homemade ornaments, gingerbread houses, snowflakes, you name it…get there imagination flowing and let their unique artistic abilities shine! You can also have them string popcorn and cranberries. You master snack time and crafts all at once.
In the mood to socialize?
Grab your kids and neighborhood friends for a holiday scavenger hunt where the winner gets to choose the next activity for the group. Remember to keep the prize something without monetary value, to keep the holiday spirit prominent.
You can also put a play together. Gather everyone at someone’s home, have everyone bring something delicious to snack on, and sit back and watch your young stars!
Fashion shows are also adorable for all of those girls who have just gotten new clothes from Santa. Let them go all Americas Next Top Model on you!
For either of these activities be sure to have all of your cameras charged! Video an easily be uploaded to YouTube or burned onto a disc to keep and share for years to come.
Also, remember to check whats happening in your town around the holidays. Many have Christmas strolls or shows at the local theater which makes for another great community holiday experience.
Has Mr. Scrooge inspired you to do more?
Doing some volunteering with your kids will help them realize how fortunate they really are. The family will be together, the kids will learn the good of giving back, and it will truly put things in perspective for everyone.
Have you already exhausted this list?
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It seems a lot of us get caught up in the glam factor of doing something major for our kids so they remember it being special, but sometimes the less spending and going out you do, the more fun you have during the holidays just by creating your own memories. Try out a few of these ideas, and watch your kids instantly light up.

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