Cheap Christmas Ideas for Teenagers

[antelopevalley]

I have two children, a DD 14 and DS 16. Money is short and I am struggling with ideas for Christmas trips for teenagers are cheap. DD also has mobility issues.

Any ideas? Or should I just not bother at this age?

I wouldn't bother at those ages. Their not little children. Save your money if it's tight.

Rechargeable batteries if they use them for games/tech, always a winner

Little treats. Pyjamas. Chocolates. Charity shop books/games.

I’m a bit confused. Are you asking what kind of places they might want to visit locally? Or do you want to take them to London or elsewhere?

@Arenanewbie I am not sure, sorry.
With little kids it is easy. But in past years we have gone on special visits with them in the run-up to Christmas. So last few years we have gone to Alton Towers. Seen all the lights and went on rides. Also ice-skating outside - when DD could do it. But we are struggling with money this year.
Maybe we should just leave it. But I wondered if I was missing any obvious ideas they might enjoy.
DS might not even want to come anyway.

We now live in Glasgow, moved during the summer.

Look up local villages Xmas light switch on events. Or carols? If you’re on Facebook there are usually local events listed and a lot will be free. Maybe treat them to hot chocolate whilst out?

Thanks.
I should not have started this thread though. It was a stupid idea.
It is hard enough to get teenagers on a family outing without trying to do it with no money.
Just need to let go of that idea.

Can you not get some cheap train tickets to Edinburgh and go and see the lights and the big shop windows.
Visit a museum and mooch around with something nice for lunch.

We live in Lincolnshire and I have train tickets to London for me and DD for £66 the weekend before Christmas and we are planning to do the above.

What about a day out in the city? Christmas lights and decorations, window shopping and a cheap lunch - does Kelvingrove have anything going on?

I don’t think it’s a stupid idea
would the budget stretch to coffee and a mince pie (I know that’s expensive in big branded coffee shops but we have local cafes that are cheaper )

Carol service / local craft fairs / we go to local amateur panto rather than the big pricey ones in the city

cinema (can get offers)

We can do things like a coffee and a mince pie and lights. It is theme parks the budget cant support.

It's not a stupid idea

I don't know Glasgow but could you do:

• walk round the city one evening to look at the lights, perhaps via Greggs for cheap treats
• Museum visit
• Country walk with friends

Quick Google for Christmas in Glasgow throws up this list with lots of cool free or low-cost stuff going on.

I Took my teens to their first Christmas market last year - they loved it! Free entry, had a hot drink, took in the atmosphere. I was very surprised.

DD and I usually do an afternoon of Xmas shopping and then hot chocolate in a sort of fancier place, (not Costa but local cafe) and then later looking at shop windows on the way home. We both love it.
We also are going to panto and local NT place but it’s more like family traditions so non negotiable. I’ve read about Secret Santa game on MN last year and we did it - great success. I know you said trips but sometimes walks in between something are enough.
Also last year DD and DH went without me to get a tree from the local farm. They spent ages there and were very excited - probably loved it more then NT place.
Some of our friends with teens usually do gingerbread house making, we never did, mine wouldn’t like it.

That is heartening. I assumed this would be a bit childish for them. I will propose it and see what they say.

@Arenanewbie We get an IKEA tree every year - £25 with a £20 voucher to spend in IKEA. They liked it when younger but last year I ended up going by muself.

You want to do something nice for your kids which is not a bad idea. Everything does seem to be expensive and I can't afford a theme park for mine either. However the local council run park is putting on a festive weekend which we may go to. And our church does lovely Christmas services, we go year round but the carols by candlelight is very special. Hope you can figure something out.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Elfingrove at Kelvingrove usually has an outdoor ice rink. My DSIS took all our teens and they loved it. iirc it was less than £10. And there are supports, etc for DCs with mobility issues.
Some of the NTS places have outdoor Christmas activities that our teen also liked eg Kelburn Castle. You could get a train or bus down. It's marketed for younger kids but the estate is beautiful so it's nice for a winter walk and costs about £5.

@AndEverWhoKnew Thank you!! We have gone ice skating before at Christmas but I had assumed now with DDs mobility issues that were no longer an option. I will look at that.

Glasgow has a great Christmas Market. Start a tradition of going there, the atmosphere is really lovely and they have lovely Dutch pancakes, churros, bubble waffle things etc. It is pricey but much cheaper than a theme park.

Elfingrove used to have a part inside the museum which our youngest teen absolutely loved (not sure he'd have admitted that to his friends 😄) but I'm not sure if they still do. It stopped for Covid. Also one of the 'elves' gave our DC an extra voucher for toasted marshmallows. It was lovely and it all felt very Christmassy.

Pollok House on the southside is absolutely GORGEOUS at Christmas - the house is all beautifully dressed in Victorian style and they have lovely sessions at the weekend with 'Mrs Santa', if your teens aren't too old/cool for that sort of thing yet! I can't remember off the top of my head how much entry is, but I think about £12 per adult - children under 16 may be cheaper.

You can also have a nice long walk round Pollok Park or a shorter walk round the gardens, which are lovely even at this time of year, then go into Shawlands (hipster central these days!) for coffee and cake or lunch at one of the many (MANY) lovely coffee shops shops or restaurants, then a bit of window shopping round the little indie shops?

Not a stupid idea at all. Whatever age your kids are, it's natural to want to spend time with them at Christmas and do some nice things together!

Some suggestions:

Christmas movie night at home, with popcorn
Christmas baking
Go out to see the lights in your closest big town
Do a Christmas puzzle together
A Christmas quiz

What about the drive in movies that are showing at Loch Lomond? Not too expensive and you can take some nice snacks and flasks of hot chocolate 😀