Happy First Day of Winter!

Courtesy of Mandi Woodruff

Hi Friends,

Facing colder months without a fat wad of cash in your pocket might put a damper on any hopes of feeling festive.

There's constant pressure to run up your charge card so your kids get those must-have toys they'll probably break by New Year's Eve and you've got relatives coming out of the woodwork expecting you to show them a good time.

The good news is, you don't have to open your wallet to build lasting memories this winter.

Karen Carlson, director of education for InCharge, a nonprofit that helps debt-ridden consumers, says buying splashy gifts should be the last thing on your mind.

"Remember, many big spenders are even bigger debtors," Carlson says. "Turn off the conspicuous consumption from others. Ignore your friends' Facebook statuses from the mall."

We tapped Carlson and a few others for their tips for fun freebies that will bring you closer to friends and family without breaking the bank.

Here are 10 Awesome And FREE Things You Should Do This Winter...

1. Make your own festival of lights...
If you can't make it to the top ten cities for the best holiday light shows, look no further than your own front yard.

Host a "lighting ceremony" with your friends and family at home, then pile into the car to check out your neighbors' handiwork, Carlson says. Use last year's lights or borrow extras from family or friends.

The suburbs are known for friendly holiday decoration wars, with frosted yards filled with more LED-lit reindeer and blow-up Santas than you can shake a peppermint stick at.

If you really want a show, hit up the wealthiest 'hoods in your town. If homeowners are crazy enough to enlist professional decorators to deck their halls for $1,500, why let all their hard-spent cash go to waste?

2. Winter games...
If you're lucky enough to live in snow-friendly parts of the U.S., grab your gloves and a couple of able-bodied friends for some good old fashioned snow games. Find a good hill for sledding or hit the lake for ice fishing.

For those in warmer climates, ice rinks often offer free admission as long as you bring your own skates.

3. Host a film festival at home...
Movie tickets can cost up to $15 a pop these days, but your home is far cozier, comes with your own parking spot and – the best part – all the snacks are free.

Carlson tells her clients to try hosting a film festival from their living room. You can stream Netflix DVDs straight to your TV or, if you've nixed cable from your monthly budget, invite friends to bring their own flicks.

Pop popcorn, make hot chocolate (or some grown-up egg nog for the 21 and up crowd) and curl up with people you know, rather than rows filled with gibbering strangers.

4. Find some culture...
Take advantage of federally-subsidized central heating and hit up all the best public exhibits your city has to offer this winter. Check community board listings or your local newspaper for new exhibits.

Washington, D.C. resident Shannon Mouton says colder months are the best time for locals to enjoy the best city sights without swarms of tourists underfoot.

Smithsonian exhibits are always free, but you won't have to fight dozens of other oglers to get the best view of the penguins at the National Zoo, which is also free and open to the public.

5. Lend a helping hand...
It's easy to feel down and out when you're facing mounds of debt during the busiest shopping season of the year. Get some perspective by helping out those needier than yourself.

Before you sign up to dish out spaghetti at the local soup kitchen, try lending a hand to an elderly neighbor by stringing lights or shoveling their driveway.

Plenty of community organizations will need volunteers for holiday shows and food drives and you can get your whole family involved. But steer clear of scams by checking out charities with the Better Business Bureau first.

6. Get your wino on...
Before you head to a holiday concert or museum, get your juices flowing with a free wine or beer tasting.

Wineries and breweries often offer free tastings on certain days of the week, when patrons are encouraged to circulate and sip without the pressure of purchasing a pricey bottle to go.

If the business is really classy, they'll have some finger foods on hand, too, so feel free to chow down – within reason.

7. Take in a holiday concert...
You don't have to blow hundreds of dollars on Broadway tickets to get your holiday concert fix.

Look no further than your local community playhouse. Participants are sometimes truly talented entertainers who might volunteer in their spare time, so don't shrug off local events as amateur hour.

Churches and college campuses are sure to have holiday schedules packed with musical events, so keep an eye on community list for dates and times.

8. Hit the great outdoors...
Campsites offer dirt cheap or free rates during the winter for obvious reasons, so if you're up for a challenge, take a weekend camping trip or a day hike.

You'll get back to nature and the lack of outlets (i.e.: no distracting smartphones or computers) will bring everyone closer together.

If you're not up for a multi-day arctic adventure, try having a picnic on the lake or at the beach in chillier months.

Pack thermoses and bring warm foods for a picnic. If it's legal in your area, lug along a pile of fresh cut wood to build a bonfire and keep warm.

9. Throw a holiday party...
Don't let the word 'party' fool you. You don't have to blow your budget entertaining guests with champagne fountains and other ridiculous bells and whistles to have a good time.

Invite friends over for game night or a potluck dinner. They can bring their own games and a dish to share and everyone will leave feeling satisfied.

If your friends are crafty, exchange homemade gifts in lieu of pricey presents.

10. See Santa for free...
Shopping malls are asking a pretty penny for photos with Santa these days, but you can skip the hassle of waiting in line by tracking down a free one-on-one with the big man.

Community events often feature Santa lookalikes, Carlson says, so check your local newspaper or online message boards for listings.

These awesome ideas will get you started for the Winter and it won't take all of next year to pay for them...

Enjoy!

Check back for more great ideas and Happy First Day of Winter from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne