Ho-ho-ho Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Find out here what affordable things you can do for the holiday season!

The holiday season is upon us! Christmas is just a couple of days away while New Year is just around the corner. The excitement is in the air as everyone is making plans to take a well-deserved break from 2022.

However, things are expensive now. Malaysians have been feeling the pinch for several months already as inflation remains high in the country.

If you are feeling concerned about this, fear not! There are a couple of things that you can still do without breaking the bank.

#1: Watch the Fireworks … From Up High

Fireworks are the life and blood of any holiday season. While it is technically free to watch the fireworks, you would have to spend quite a bit to get to a place that can afford a good view of them.

Most people would opt to have dinner or drinks in restaurants or bars in town, waiting for the fireworks. This could cost quite a bit as restaurants are known to charge premium prices for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Rather than spend that kind of money, you can ask a friend who lives in an apartment and go to the rooftop. He or she just has to sign you and your friends and family as guests. Buy a few soda drinks and snacks and you have yourself a fireworks-viewing without spending that much money.

#2: Take a Fun Trip On the Train or Bus

Every holiday season in Malaysia is consistent with one thing – the traffic jam. The highways and roads are filled with vehicles. Motorists line up at the rest stops and petrol stations to take a toilet break and freshen up for the long journey ahead.

Vehicle maintenance, petrol, toll and a myriad of other things add up to the cost of travelling during the holiday season. Furthermore, if you have a family, expect to spend much more than that.

However, you can enjoy a fun trip without resorting to this. If you live in the Klang Valley, there is an inexpensive way to explore – public transport. You can get the MyCity pass from RapidKL which can last for one or three days for just RM5 and RM15 respectively. You can get unlimited rides on the LRT, MRT, KL Monorail, and BRT.

Other than that, you can take a local bus in your area and just travel around to places you have never been before!

#3: Do a Decorations Review of All the Shopping Malls

Nothing speaks louder in the holiday season than the decorations all the shopping malls have. At this time of the year, most malls are competing against each other to draw the crowd.

Remember that MyCity pass from RapidKL, many of the malls in Klang Valley are connected to public transportation. Visit all these malls to enjoy and review all the decorations! After all, viewing is free.

Most of the public transportations in other cities are also connected to the shopping malls. Take this opportunity to just enjoy the sights with no need to spend additional money!

#4: Craft and Write Christmas and New Year Cards

This might seem a simple thing to do, but doing it with family and friends is so much more fun. These cards could cost a lot if you buy it from the bookstore or shop but it doesn’t have to be.

Buy a stack of colour papers, pencil colours, crayons, pen, and anything else you feel like adding (let loose and be creative). Gather your family and friends in a room or cafe and just start crating all those cards for each other and others.

You take the opportunity to reconnect with them and others far away with hand-crafted cards.

#5: Go on Hikes and Long Walks

With most of the people out of town, take this opportunity to go on a hike. The trails will now be relatively free of people, and you can enjoy your walk without much hassle.

Take away that nasi lemak and teh tarik in the morning, and make that trip to the end of the trail. Savour your breakfast in front of the rising or setting of the sun.

Most trails are free in Malaysia, while some cost only a small sum. Make sure you are well-versed with the trail and always let your family and friends know where you are going.

#6: Picnic and Barbeque

Nothing beats a good old picnic and barbeque. Invite your family and friends over, lay down a picnic mat, and fire up the barbeque pit with hot burning coal.

With so many people out of town, the parks are normally empty now where you can get some peace and quiet. You don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount of money getting expensive food and drinks in a café or restaurant. Instead, head to the groceries and buy the things you want to eat and drink.

Conclusion

The holiday season is upon us. With inflation in Malaysia so high now, it is no wonder that many Malaysians are finding it hard to enjoy the holidays. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are still somethings that you can do with your family and friends that doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. These things listed above can potentially help you manage your finances more effectively during the holiday season and ensure that you end the year on a high note with money still in the bank account.

 

Let us know in the comments below what you are doing for the holiday season!

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