30 Actually Genius Ways To Save Money Over Winter Break (2024)

"Last year, my friends and I played Secret Santa and everyone had to keep the gifts under $5. People got so creative with their gifts—one friend made an awesome picture frame and put a photo of our group of friends inside it! The gifts were so much more personal than just buying them." —Marissa, 18

Instead of going out, stay in and challenge your friends to a video game battle! Whether you have a Wii, Guitar Hero, or old-school Nintendo, you'll have an awesome time without spending money. Bonus: it's the perfect way to flirt with that cute guy from your high school you always had a crush on!

If you're hitting the slopes over break and need a new coat or skiing gear, head to Eastern Mountain Sporting Goods, which offers a 15 percent discount to college students!

"Instead of going out to the movies, my friends and I rent from Redbox! It's a cheaper way to see movies we haven't seen yet." —Renee, 18

If you're looking for an inexpensive way to get home for the holidays, try booking a ticket through Greyhound or Amtrak—both offer student discounts. Megabus.com also offers super cheap tickets—typically no more than $100!

Invite all your friends over for a potluck dinner and have each person bring a dish. It's way cheaper than eating out, and you can do it in your sweats!

Know a fashion major? Ask if she'll hem your holiday dress instead of going to a pricier seamstress! Does one of your friends always have awesome nails? See if she'll give you a manicure for a cheaper price than the salon near campus. Trade your talents!

Chances are, there are so many fun events happening in your hometown, you just have to find them! Check your local newspaper for upcoming concerts, comedy shows, or poetry nights.

Sign up for TaskRabbit.com to make money doing winter chores for people in your neighborhood, like putting up Christmas lights or shoveling snow. Whatever you're good at—baking, playing with kids, assembling toys with a million parts—people are totally willing to pay you for it!

If you have to fly home for the holidays, check out flights on StudentUniverse.com before going directly through an airline. They also offer cheap flights if you're traveling home from studying abroad!

"Usually my friends and I curse living in a crazy cold state, but last year we took advantage of it by ice-skating on the community lake! We went in a big group and had a blast—it doesn't matter if you know how to skate or not. Afterwards, we went back to my house and made hot chocolate. The best part was, it hardly cost a thing." —Gillian, 21

Winter Park Lodging Company offers special discounts for college students, whether you're looking for a season pass or just want to go for the weekend. If you're super into winter sports, be sure to check it out!

If you're on the hunt for a new stylish winter coat, check outBarbour.com—the brand offers a 15 percent discount on outerwear exclusively to college students!

Get your friends together and head to the mall to get a group photo with Santa. You'll get a kick out of acting like a kid for a day and your photo will get a ton of likes on Facebook!

"I love baking with my friends in the winter. It's a fun way to catch up and gossip without going out and spending $20 or more talking over dinner. Last year, we took over my dorm floor kitchen with our baking sesh, and we ended up making friends with people who stopped by to test our yummy treats!" —Katherine, 19

"The first year in my off-campus apartment, I really wanted to have a Christmas tree, but they can get pricey! Instead of buying new ornaments, I had a Christmas tree decorating party and had everyone bring a homemade ornament. Not only did my tree look awesome, but now I have tons of sentimental ornaments!" —Jessie, 20

It's so easy to get caught up in your own money woes and forget about those who really need help—especially around the holidays! Use Seventeen's volunteer finder to find a way for you and your friends to get involved in a charity near your campus or hometown!

Get this: Every Thursday, AMC Theatres gives a discount to anyone with a student I.D. It's the perfect excuse to grab your friends and check out a new holiday movie all winter long!

Stores like Steve Madden, Top Shop, J. Crew, Ann Taylor Loft, and Banana Republic all offer discounts for students! Before you do your holiday shopping, check out this full list so you know where to go for unadvertised discounts!

Daily discount sites like Groupon and Living Social have tons of deals for fun winter activities like snowboarding, sledding, and ice-skating at a cheaper rate. When a good deal lands in your inbox, forward it to all your friends for a fun day out!