Discover how we’re planning 28 days of family Christmas fun across Yorkshire for under £400 — including festive days out, cosy home activities, and budget-friendly ideas to keep kids happy through the holidays

28 Days of Christmas Magic for Under £400: Our Family Festive Plans 2025

Every year I try to find the balance between festive sparkle and financial calm — enough excitement for the kids to remember, but not so much that I’m exhausted or overspent by Boxing Day.

This year I’ve planned 28 days of family Christmas fun from early November right through to the end of the school holidays, keeping everything under £400 (not including gifts or snacks).

November — The Calm Before Christmas

Before Christmas truly explodes, November is all about slow build-up and togetherness.It’s the perfect time for family connection — cosy weekends, crafting, and community.

Harewood House Christmas visit – just Lily and me, a new mother-daughter tradition I’m excited to start.
Cleckheaton Christmas Market & afternoon tea – a gentle start to the festivities with friends.
Writing letters to Santa – done with hot chocolate and Christmas music in the background.
Crafting weekends – cards, baubles, and homemade gifts for Santa’s workshop.

November for us is the calm before the sparkle — when glue sticks and giggles matter more than crowds and queues.

December Highlights: The Big Events

There’s always a temptation to book every light trail, market, and grotto — but I’ve learnt that too many “big” events blur together, and kids stop appreciating them.

This year, we’ve chosen the ones that feel most meaningful.

Total cost ≈ £250.

Sundown Adventureland – we took Lily when she was two; now it’s Noah’s turn for a school-day adventure.
Halifax Piece Hall – music, markets, and hot chocolate with a view.
Bradford Playhouse Pantomime: Cinderella – our yearly laugh-till-we-cry tradition.
Wentworth Woodhouse Snow Queen – a few days before Christmas to keep the magic alive.
Temple Newsam Illuminations – our way to welcome the New Year.

These are the memory-makers — the experiences that stick long after the decorations come down.-

Filler Days : Keeping the Energy Up

Between the bigger adventures, we have mid-cost outings to break up the days and keep everyone smiling.

Estimated ≈ £100.

Swimming
Mini Mornings at the cinema
Playgym sessions
A visit to the Thackray Museum of Medicine

Perfect for grey days when the kids need to move but we don’t fancy a long drive.

Home Days & No-Cost Fun

Some of our favourite festive moments happen right here at home — in slippers, surrounded by fairy lights.

Baking biscuits and gingerbread houses
Crafting cards, baubles, and presents for Santa
Writing thank-you letters for Santa
DIY spa/pamper days
Christmas-film count-downs – we watch one most days; CBBC has brilliant pantomimes, too!
Christmas light drives – pyjamas on, carols up, cocoa in hand.
Glow-in-the-dark sing-along nights at home
Shopping trip where the kids choose gifts for others
Winter walks to blow away cabin fever

The best festive days often cost nothing — but give everything.