51 Frugal Winter and Holiday Ideas for Homesteaders

The winter holiday season is a time of anticipation, joy, and togetherness—but it doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag or a departure from your homesteading values. On the homestead, simplicity, and resourcefulness shine, and winter offers countless opportunities to embrace these ideals.

Whether crafting handmade gifts, sharing the season’s bounty, or creating cherished memories with loved ones, this list of frugal winter activities is filled with inspiration to celebrate the season and its holidays in meaningful, creative ways. From crafty indoor projects to outdoor adventures that connect you with nature, these ideas are sure to bring joy to your homestead while keeping your budget in check.

Here are 51 Fantastic Frugal Winter and Holiday Ideas!

Photo of Christms decorations, cash, and a savings checklist on a table.

DIY Crafts and Decorations

Nature craft items and beeswax candles, scissors on a board on a table.

Create your own holiday decorations from simple or seasonal items found around your homestead like salt dough ornaments, dry citrus slices, or flowers to make garlands, or repurposed Christmas cards from last year.
Make beeswax candles for gift-giving or cozy lighting.
Use homegrown herbs like lavender, chamomile, or rosemary to craft sachets or bath salts as gifts.
Make mason jar snow globes. This is a perfect way to upcycle your old canning jars with chipped lips that can no longer keep a seal. Or you can use inexpensive plastic mason jars for a safe, child-proof option.
Head outside and gather greens, branches, acorns, pinecones, etc., to make wreaths or natural decorations. My Crafts for the Homestead Pinterest page has plenty of inspiration.
Create fragrant potpourri or simmer pot mixes using spices from your pantry or dried herbs from your garden. Click here for one of my favorite blends.
Take up a new fabric craft by learning to knit, crochet, or sew a simple quilt. If you’re more experienced, try learning new sewing skills like patching, darning socks, or repurposing old clothes.
Craft paper snowflakes together as a fun, family-friendly way to decorate your home for the winter season.
Create personalized ornaments for your family Christmas tree using natural materials from your homestead. Try using slices of wood or pine cones from a tree, vines from the fencerow, dried flowers, or even fresh feathers to create one-of-a-kind decorations. Each ornament you make will reflect the unique beauty of your homestead and hold special memories for years to come.
Give the gift of seeds to your favorite gardening enthusiasts using handmade seed packets and seeds from your garden. They’ll be pleased and excited as they anticipate the upcoming growing season.

Frugal Holiday Cooking and Baking

Gingerbread cookies, baking ingredients and a cookie cutter on a table.

Host a cake/cookie exchange with neighbors or friends to share the joys of the holiday and try new recipes without having to bake everything yourself. This is a fun way to spend a day with friends and sample a variety of festive foods while keeping costs down.
Bake cookies or decorate gingerbread houses with your kids and their friends for a fun and interactive holiday tradition that also provides a gift-ready treat for loved ones.
jams, or homegrown nuts while learning a new skill.

Whip up some homemade hot chocolate or host a hot cocoa bar night at your next winter gathering. Use homemade marshmallows and farm-fresh milk for an extra-rich treat.

Make apple cider and homemade doughnuts for a warming winter treat using apples from your homestead or a local farmer’s market. The smells alone will fill your home with comfort and nostalgia for the season.

Bake your favorite bread – sourdough, whole wheat, or a quick bread – and share them as thoughtful gifts. Use farm-fresh eggs to make festive treats like eggnog, meringues, or custards. These treats can be easily customized to suit your tastes or share with others.

Host a chili cooking contest with friends and neighbors using seasonal produce from your garden like canned tomatoes, dried peppers, or onions from the root cellar. Serve it alongside homemade cornbread or crispy crackers made from your home ground grains. This is a fantastic way to celebrate the harvest season’s bounty, enjoy cozy meals together, and share your homesteading efforts in a fun and friendly competition.

Give homemade food gifts such as a hot cocoa mix, jelly, or pickles preserved during your harvest season. Package them in mason jars with handwritten labels to add a personal touch.

Introduce a fellow homesteader to the art of fermenting by gifting them a kombucha scoby along with simple instructions. This thoughtful gesture will help them expand their self-sustainable skills.

Free or Low-Cost Outdoor Activities

Father and daughter learning to ice skate on a frozen pond near the woods.

Go Christmas caroling around your neighborhood or schedule one with a local nursing home. When I was younger, our 4-H club did this for several years, and it was so rewarding to see the faces of the residents light up as they sang along. It’s a heartwarming way to spread holiday cheer and connect with the community.
Take a Christmas light tour by car or walk your neighborhood. This was one of our favorite annual family traditions when we lived in the suburbs. Now that we’re on a rural homestead, we enjoy the festive lights as we drive into our local small town. It’s a simple and almost magical way to celebrate the season with others.
Go hiking or take a long walk on your homestead or in a nearby rural area. Winter offers a unique perspective as you observe how the landscape changes with the seasons. Look for signs of wildlife, note which trees remain evergreen and which are dormant, and take in the gentle stillness of nature. It’s a peaceful way to connect with the land and get a better sense of your homestead’s (or local region’s) natural rhythms during the colder winter months.
Create a winter scavenger hunt for the kids. Whether it’s in the garden, a woodlot, or a barn, encourage them to search for winter treasures like animal tracks, pinecones, or even hidden homemade treats. It’s a fun way to explore winter’s wonders while teaching them the wonders of nature during the cold season.
Take a walk outside during a full moon. The fresh nighttime air and the twinkling stars are especially beautiful in the clear, cold air of winter. Whether you’re on your homestead or in a nearby open field, the quiet of the night is perfect for reflection and connecting with a different aspect of the natural world.
Grab a bird ID book or app and head outside for some bird-watching. Identify the birds in your area and consider how they benefit your homestead (such as pest control or seed dispersal). Participating in The Great Backyard Bird Count every February is also a wonderful way to engage with nature and appreciate the broader connection of life across our planet.
Make snow angels, build a snowman, or have a snowball fight with your kids – it’s an old-fashioned way to enjoy winter fun on your homestead. Some of my favorite childhood winter memories are of playing in the snow and ice skating on a frozen pond. Making memories like these for you and your kids is priceless.
Learn a new winter sport like ice skating, sledding, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. Many homesteaders have access to natural terrain that’s perfect for these activities, offering another chance to get outdoors and enjoy the winter season.
Spend a day at the park or explore other outdoor spaces. Dress warmly, and bring some homemade snacks and hot drinks. If you have a park with trails, use the time to explore and observe nature, or take a family photo shoot to capture the beauty of the season. We’ve spent many New Year’s days exploring a favorite park or trail.

Community and Social Activities

Photo of a mother and daughter at a Christmas festival at night. They're bundled up in coats and holding hot cocoa.

Volunteer at a food pantry or homeless shelter. Giving back to the community is a wonderful way to connect with others and reflect your values of generosity and gratitude. For homesteaders, this is an excellent time to donate excess food or produce from your homestead while meeting the physical needs of those less fortunate in your community and experiencing the season’s spirit of giving.
Attend free holiday events like a parade or local festival. Enjoying a festive atmosphere offers you opportunities to celebrate local traditions and support small businesses.
Visit a holiday craft show – or better yet – participate in one! If you’re a homesteader who crafts items from your farm or garden, this is the perfect way to share your handmade goods with others. Whether it’s homemade soaps, candles, jams, or knitted goods, showcasing your creations at a craft fair is a rewarding way to give back to the local economy, and make a little money, all while connecting with others who share your passions.
Participate in a local 5K run or winter walk. Many small towns host free or affordable holiday runs to raise money for charitable causes. It’s a great way to get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and contribute to your community.
Attend a free outdoor winter festival, farmer’s market, or a regional historic reenactment. Consider events that highlight the traditions and customs of early rural life such as a pioneer Christmas or holiday event at a local historical site.
Give the gift of your skills and time. Create a thoughtful gift card offering to bake a meal, clean someone’s house, grocery shop, or even babysit. This is a great opportunity to share your skills like cooking from scratch, meal planning, or giving someone a bit of much-needed time off from a busy family schedule.
Make memories with your kids, or, if you’re older, share stories with them or your grandkids about how you celebrated the winter holidays when you were their age. Reflecting on the traditions you grew up with and passing them on to the next generation can be a meaningful way to nurture family bonds while celebrating important holidays together.
Winter is a great time to declutter your home. Use this opportunity to clean out a closet or storage space and donate unwanted or gently used items to local charities like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or a community thrift store. You may also want to donate excess homesteading tools or gently used gardening equipment to help others build their homesteading dreams.
Start a Seed Swap Group for the upcoming growing season. Creating a local seed swap with friends and neighbors can be a frugal way to have access to a variety of seeds and it’s a fantastic way to share your homesteading knowledge and learn from others.
Write a heartfelt letter to someone far away. In our digital world, taking the time to write a physical letter feels extra special. It’s a personal touch that shows you care. Plus, writing by hand can be a meditative, reflective activity allowing you time to reflect on the season and connect with the loved ones you’re writing to.
Visit your local library to learn new homesteading skills, or just relax with a great read. Libraries are an excellent resource for anyone looking to deepen their homesteading knowledge, whether you’re interested in gardening, fermenting, animal husbandry, or any of the numerous homesteading activities that enhance our lifestyle. Many libraries also offer seasonal activities for kids, making it a great place to learn and unwind as a family.

Family and Home-Based Fun

Photo of a grandmother reading books to two grandchildren. They're sitting on a sofa with fireplace and decorated Christmas tree in the background.

Schedule a Christmas Craft Day for the kiddos or yourself. Set up everything ahead of time using supplies you already have on hand like paper, glue, fabric scraps, or dried flowers. Let the holiday music fill the air as you all dive into creating homemade decorations or gifts.
Host a board game tournament or Christmas trivia. Pull out the games you already own and gather the family for some friendly competition. If you don’t have board games, create a homemade trivia game, or go thrifting for used board games at a local second-hand store to set up your game night. Who knows what new game you’ll find!
Make a “What we did last year” themed scrapbook together as a family. Gather old photos, ticket stubs, or mementos you’ve collected through the year. This can be a wonderful way to wrap up the year, reflecting on memories without spending a dime, all while encouraging creativity and family bonding.
Curl up with a good book and ditch the digital. Cozy up with a selection of books you already have, whether homesteading-related or a favorite holiday classic. As a family activity, read a story aloud by the fire, or let each person find their own quiet corner to unwind with a book.

Take inventory of your seed stash and organize it. Winter is the perfect time to start planning your next garden. Go through your seed collection, organize it, and make a list of what you might need for the coming year. Planning ahead can save you money when planting season arrives, and will help you resist the temptations of those seed catalogs you’ve read through the past few months.
Get the whole family together for a jigsaw puzzle challenge. There’s nothing like working together as a team to piece it all together!
Host a Christmas movie marathon. Choose a theme like comedies, cartoons, or holiday classics, depending on the audience. Pop some popcorn, grab your favorite beverage from the fridge, and enjoy a cozy, budget-friendly family movie night.
Start a homesteading book club. Get the family or friends together to swap homesteading books, share knowledge, and discover new ideas for a simpler, sustainable lifestyle. You could even swap recipes or homesteading tips too!

Listen to audiobooks together as a family. Just like in the early 20^th century, when families would gather around the radio listening to news stories and radio broadcasts, you can create a shared experience that brings everyone together. You’ll foster their imaginations and conversations while offering a sense of togetherness while unplugging from screens.
Start a “Gratitude Jar.” Each night of the holiday season, have family members write something they’re grateful for on a slip of paper and place it in the jar. On the final night, read the notes together and reflect on the blessings of the season.
Make a homesteading bucket list for next year. As a family, brainstorm homesteading goals and projects you’re excited to tackle like planting new crops, learning a new food preservation method, or building a new structure. Break down the list into seasonal goals so you can stay motivated while making steady progress throughout the year.

The winter holiday season is about so much more than spending money – even with the best of intentions. It’s a time to slow down, connect with loved ones, and find joy in the simple pleasures. Whether you’re crafting, cooking, exploring, or reflecting on the year, these frugal activities will help you celebrate the season in a way that aligns with your homesteading lifestyle.

As the winter months unfold, may your homestead be filled with warmth, gratitude, and the timeless traditions that make this time of year so special. Which of these ideas will you try first? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments – I’d love to hear how you bring the holidays to life on your homestead.