10 fun, frugal, and creative ways to make Christmas at home magical for the kids

Creating a magical festive atmosphere at home for Christmas with the kids is a wonderful way to build cherished family memories. Here are 10 fun, frugal, and creative ways to make Christmas at home magical for the kids:

Christmas Crafts

Set up a crafting station with supplies for making Christmas cards, wrapping paper, stockings, and other decorations. Encourage kids to get creative using a mix of different patterns and colours for a fun, eclectic look. Or for a more curated look pick a theme or a few colours and get busy crafting.

A quick online search will reveal a plethora of results for DIY Christmas crafts, there's sure to be something both you and the kids will love creating together. Involve the whole family in making your own homemade cards, wrap, pressies and Christmas ornaments. You can use craft supplies like clay, paper, glue, glitter, beads, and stickers to personalise everything, or get some fun Christmas craft kits.

Decorate the Christmas Tree Together

Let the kids take an active role in decorating the Christmas tree, while carols are blaring of course! Allow them to hang ornaments, place tinsel, ribbons, artificial flowers, and add their special homemade touches.

Incorporate cute Australian animal figurines like kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and emus wearing Santa hats into your decor. Kids can have fun arranging these animals on the tree and around the house.

Fairy Lights Galore

String up fairy lights throughout your home, and even in the kids' bedrooms. You can use LED solar-powered or battery-operated lights for a magical, twinkling effect. Light up your outdoor space with an array of Christmas lights, including fairy lights, lanterns, curtain lights, pathway luminaries and more.

The range of Christmas lights available is extensive: icicle lights, rope lights, fibre optic, traditional still burn, curtain and net lights, and branch lights to name a few. Within each type, there are many styles, patterns, and colours to choose from. When considering which light is right for you, be clear on the mood you are hoping to create, and if energy efficiency is a strong consideration, you might opt for solar powered or LED lights.

Holiday Baking

Bake and decorate Christmas cookies or gingerbread houses with your kids. Let them be creative with the icing and decorations using vibrant coloured lollies or traditional red and green candies.

Baking holiday treats is a great homemade gift idea and the smell of freshly baked gingerbread is about as festive as you can get. But if baking's not your thing grab yourself a spiced candle and a store-bought kit - voila!

Candle Making

In fact, why not try making Christmas spiced candles yourself! You'll need wax flakes, wicks, pretty jars (even better if you can recycle some old jars) and your favourite Christmassy essential oils such as orange, cinnamon, and clove. Simply secure a wick at the bottom of the jar with a bit of glue and then fill with the melted wax, leaving about an inch of room at the top of the jar. If using essential oils, add 15-30 drops of essential oils into each jar.

Childhood Memories

Recreate your own childhood Christmas memories with your kids, whether it be watching Christmas movies, carol singing, setting up treats for Santa, wearing matching Christmas pyjamas, volunteering, or photos with Santa - your kids will love hearing about your childhood memories of Christmases passed as much as recreating them with you this Christmas.

Advent Calendar

Countdown to Christmas! Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season and create cherished memories with an Advent calendar using small treats or activities for each day leading up to Christmas. It builds a sense of anticipation and excitement, plus the kids are sure to enjoy the daily surprises.

Write Letters to Santa

Help your children write a letter to Santa, and then send it off to the North Pole. Encourage children to tell Santa not only what they would like for Christmas but also a bit about themselves and what they have achieved throughout the year. Ensure they receive a response, creating a sense of magic and excitement. You can order personalised responses or better yet craft the response yourself and mail it to your child.

Elf on the Shelf

Introduce an Elf on the Shelf to the household. Move the elf each night to different locations to create a sense of magic and wonder. This cheeky new Christmas tradition sees your elf fly to the North Pole to tell Santa Claus whether your children have been naughty or nice. It's a cute way to keep the spirit of Santa alive—and encourage good behaviour in your children in anticipation of Christmas.

Pillowcase Santa Sacks

A unique and charming way to collect and present Christmas gifts that can be used year after year, becoming a cherished part of your holiday traditions. All you need is a pillowcase and some Christmassy embellishments such as ribbon, sequins, bells, felt shapes and fabric paints. If you're handy with a sewing machine create a channel for a drawstring, otherwise simply tie the top corners of the pillowcase together once filled with gifts.

Other ways to bring that magical festive feeling into your home for the kids are simple things like Christmas toys and train sets, hanging garlands and wreaths, bon bons, and cute Christmas dress ups. But if you like your decorations to really make an impact, you can't go past a Christmas inflatable! From Santa to snowman, to an illuminated gingerbread archway, what could be more magical?

Remember though, the key to creating the magic of Christmas at home with the kids is to involve them in the holiday preparations and make it a fun and memorable experience. These activities will not only help decorate your home but also bring the family closer during this special time of year.