At this time of year, it is so easy to get caught up in the commercialism of shopping, shopping, shopping. However, there are so many things that you can do that do not cost any money at all, and that do not involve driving to Walmart,Tanger Mall or TJ Maxx in traffic — do not involve plastic throw-away items.

Here are some ideas of things to do, especially with kids.

1. Make your own pine wreaths and garlands

You don't need to buy decorations at Target, you can make some for free by going outside. Look around for some pine, spruce, fir, cedar, yew, or other evergreen trees or bushes. If you don't have any, look at your neighbor's yards. I'm sure they won't mind if you clipped a few branches. If your neighbors don't have any, take a drive, or if close enough, walk to the local beach or park or pine barrens. There's bound to be some low-hanging branches you can clip. Use green florist's wire or any wire to attach lengths of pine branches together into a single long rope, then wrap the rope around your porch banister, porch posts, indoor banister, or surround doorways with it, or wrap into circles to make wreaths.

2. Make your own holly and ivy sprigs

Look for holly trees and bushes in your yard or your neighbors, and clip the branches. Make into wreaths as described above, or just tie a few branches into a sprig and secure with a string or ribbon, then hang from a door or doorway. Or just put a few cut branches in a vase of water. You can cut long strands of dark green ivy and fashion them into wreaths, mantel decorations, etc. as well.

3. Collect pine cones

Take the kids outside and look for pine cones in your yard, the neighbor's yard, or the park, beach, or pine barrens. Collect as many as you can and put them in a big basket. Leave them as they are, or glue silver and gold glitter on them, or spray paint them white or gold or silver. You can tie ribbons onto them and decorate your Christmas tree or the mantel with them too.

4. Go to the beach and collect some jingle shells

Take the kids to a beach and collect nice-looking rocks and shells. I love going to the beach in the winter. Remember to bring a bag or pail to keep all the shells and rocks in. I like collecting the shiny yellow and peach colored "jingle shells." Fill up a jar with them and tell the kids they are what the mermaids use for money.

5. Go to a local farm stand, get some apple cider, and make warm spiced apple cider

Some of the farm stands are still selling apple cider from local apples. After your day out on the cold beach, come back inside, and warm up the apple cider with some cinnamon stickes, cloves and nutmeg.