It might be hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is only a couple of weeks away! Celebrating is a whole lot of fun, but it can also be stressful both mentally and on your pocketbook if you allow it to be. However, there are some ways to still gather your family and friends together while keeping your pocketbook and everyone’s stomachs full:
01: Cross-Utilize Ingredients
Find recipes that call for many of the same ingredients. That way you can spend less and save more. You don’t have to focus on this just for Thanksgiving Day either. For instance, if you know you’re going to end up with leftover turkey and some vegetables, consider repurposing them into a soup or fried rice dish at a later date. The creativity is there and you won’t be eating the same meal every day for days in a row.
02: Potluck
Having each guest bring a favorite dish or two can help eliminate the stress level greatly, not to mention putting less strain on your finances too. Perhaps the best thing about this method is the chance of getting to try everyone’s personal favorite recipes.
03: No Alcohol
One of the biggest expenses that can add up fast is the cost you might find yourself spending on wine, beer or the such. Thankfully the solution is simple; either fully eliminate alcohol from the menu or state to your guests ahead of time that it will be a ‘bring your own drinks” affair.
04: Budget, Coupons and Sales
These might seem like the most obvious choices to keep the cost of this food-centered holiday down, but sometimes it’s easier said than done. Make sure you set a budget and stick to it and check out the coupons and ads for steals of deals. Decide what to get at each location but remember it might cost more in gas to drive across town for one item than what the coupon’s worth. Remember to shop early too because it’s not unheard of for stores to run out of items either.
05: Skip the Turkey
Honestly, nothing is holding you to a traditional turkey feast, so if you’re open to thinking outside the box more, different dishes can be even more fun and perhaps even more cost-effective. Consider an Italian food buffet or taco bar to spice up the event. You might even want to focus solely on appetizers such as a charcuterie board full of cheeses, sliced meats and fruits or chips, dips and sliders.
With so many options, the possibilities are endless! The most important thing through all of it though is remembering to be grateful for those around you and to enjoy the time with the ones you cherish most.
