Thanksgiving Dinner: 6 Tips To Save $$$
By planning ahead, paying attention to details, and following the strategies below, you can enjoy turkey and all of the fixings — minus the astronomical bills!
When you’re on a tight budget, the approaching holidays may cause you a bit of anxiety. How are you supposed to entertain family members and get into the Thanksgiving spirit without breaking the bank or going deeper into debt? While it’s certainly easy to overspend on Thanksgiving, especially if you’re the one hosting the family meal, there are ways to host a lovely Thanksgiving dinner on a budget. By planning ahead, paying attention to details, and following the strategies below, you can enjoy turkey and all of the fixings — minus the astronomical bills!
Start shopping for a turkey early.
If you wait until the last minute to buy the bird, you’ll be forced to pay whatever price the supermarket is charging at that time. Often, supermarkets start putting turkeys on sale a few weeks before Thanksgiving, so if you start watching the ads and shopping early, you can likely find one for around a dollar per pound.
Don’t buy a larger turkey than you need.
It can be tempting to purchase the largest turkey in the store, thinking it will look magnificent on your holiday table — but this is a waste of cash. Plus, the larger turkeys are often fattier, so you’re not really getting more meat for your money. Calculate how much turkey you need by purchasing 3/4 to 1 pound for every guest. For instance, if you are expecting 12 people for dinner, look for a 12-pound turkey. Yes, this should give you enough to have some leftovers.
Have family members bring the side dishes.
If you supply everything from the sweet potatoes to the pie, the cost can really add up. Plan on making the turkey yourself, but then ask family members to each bring a side dish. Contact everyone ahead of time, and ask what they would like to bring. Keep a running list of the dishes everyone is bringing, so you can make sure there are no duplicates. Don’t forget to have someone bring dessert!
Plan for a BYOB Thanksgiving dinner.
If your family consumes wine or beer with dinner on Thanksgiving, request that everyone bring their own beverage of choice to the meal. This could potentially save you hundreds of dollars, since supplying wine for a crowd can really add up! Everyone has different tastes in wine or beer anyways, so having everyone bring their own ensures they’re drinking something they actually enjoy.
Make DIY decorations and centerpieces.
Of course, you want your home to look festive and welcoming for Thanksgiving dinner, but that should not mean spending hundreds in a home goods store. Instead of buying expensive decorations, make a few of your own. You could use craft paint to paint leaves and another fall decor on a few pumpkins that you buy from a local farmer. Hot glue colorful fall leaves to a plate and set a candle in the middle to create a centerpiece. A few yellow gourds displayed neatly on the mantel look festive and only cost a few dollars.
Say “no” to the shopping tradition.
Heading out on Thanksgiving night to hit the black Friday sales early has become a bit of a Thanksgiving tradition in some families. If you’re on a tight budget, try foregoing this tradition this year, and make the holidays about spending time with family and friends. Spend Thanksgiving evening playing board games, chatting, and catching up with each other.
With the tips above, you can do Thanksgiving dinner on a budget. It’s not about sacrificing what makes the holidays fun. It’s just about planning smarter and focusing on the things that really matter.
