For us Americans, Thanksgiving is by far the best celebration since we gather the entire family, we dress up in our favorite clothes, and we eat delicious foods. And because of that, it’s so easy to spend a lot of money on things, especially if the dinner is held in your home. But the rising cost of food, inflation, and shrinkflation are putting a strain on many households.
Thanksgiving dinner, which was already pricey, is now going to cost considerably more. What can you do, then, to prepare a tasty Thanksgiving meal on a tight budget? Read on to find out some amazing tips on how to turn Thanksgiving into “Thanksaving!”
1. Plan ahead
We know it’s hard to say no to relatives when you’re asked about the Thanksgiving dinner you’ve been hosting for so many years. That’s why the best way possible is to plan ahead and know exactly how many guests will come over. Even if this may seem a difficult task because some of them can cancel at the last minute, this will be very helpful when you start shopping for groceries.
Take your list with you every time you go grocery shopping after you’ve made one, since you never know when you’ll find discounts on pie dough, whipped cream, or brown sugar to save a bit more money on the ideal pie. This takes us to the next step of the article. Click on the next page to see what it is about.
2. Stick to a simple menu this Thanksgiving
If you have a big family, then you know the struggle of cooking a lot of food. But try a different approach to the situation this year, because more dishes mean more money spent. If you want to save money, limit yourself to four or five dishes.
A nice place to start is, of course, with the dinner star: the turkey, which can be combined with mashed potatoes and gravy, some vegetables, and a cranberry sauce. But don’t forget about pumpkin pie or whatever your family prefers.
What are your favorite dishes to cook for Thanksgiving? Tell us in the comments. We’re eager to know!
3. Buy in season
You’re better off sticking to what’s in season, as nice as it might be to have a genuine cornucopia filled to the brim with every type of vegetable you can imagine as part of your Thanksgiving centerpiece. Sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and pumpkin, aside from a roast turkey, should be less expensive than out-of-season items.
They are also the most traditional holiday foods. During the autumn season, there should be Brussels sprouts, which, despite what you might recall from your childhood when your grandma forced you to eat them, can be rather tasty if you use enough olive oil.
4. Buy more canned foods
Of course, fresh is better, but sometimes it can be much more expensive. That’s why there are a lot of nice canned foods that can help you make a great dinner with less money. And the quality can be pretty high too if you’re choosing the ingredients carefully.
For example, last year for Thanksgiving I made pumpkin pie with canned pumpkin because the fresh one was so expensive I couldn’t put a finger on it. Basically, you can find any sort of fruit canned cheaper than the fresh ones, and nobody will guess it wasn’t fresh apples in the apple pie. What pie is your favorite for Thanksgiving? Tell us in the comments.
5. Make it homemade
A couple of years ago, I used to order some food for Thanksgiving in case my guests came with another person, which they hadn’t told me about. Little did I know, because that was definitely a mistake and my budget was pretty damaged after it. Around this celebration, most grocery stores and restaurants sell ready-made Thanksgiving foods that are ready to eat and reheat as needed. But while this is advantageous, it’s not affordable price-wise.
Homemade is better because you know exactly what ingredients you used and, if some of your family members are allergic to certain foods, you can avoid them. Plus, making all the food at home is definitely a much cheaper option that you should take into consideration this year.
6. Use what ingredients you already have
Don’t forget to check your fridge before going on a shopping spree! You can do this before making a grocery list because you never know what things you may already have and it’s no use spending more money on them. Do you still have last year’s decorations? You can use them again this year! Most of them are pretty expensive, especially if they are Thanksgiving themed. After the holiday passes, you can check the sales because most of the big shops will lower the price for all the leftover items.
If you have grandchildren, you can ask them to help you create some unique decorations from paper or old newspapers. You will save a lot of money, and they will be more than happy to spend some creative time with their grandparents.
7. Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk is always the best idea, especially when you have a big family over for Thanksgiving dinner. Besides, you will get great discounts on a variety of products during this period of time. Even though you’ll be preparing a large amount of food for Thanksgiving, chances are you’ll ultimately feel hungry again. Purchasing in bulk can help you save money, and any leftover materials can probably be used for something else.
If you do have any leftovers from the main course, store them in the fridge as soon as they’ve cooled down so you may use them the day after Thanksgiving. Anything can be easily casseroled, and any leftover meats are great for a quick sandwich for lunch.
So what do you think? Do you buy in bulk? Tell us in the comments.
8. Change up recipes as needed
Thanksgiving main dishes can be easily changed if some of them are expensive. Remember that they don’t have to cost a lot of money in order to taste delicious. In my case, I have my grandmother’s turkey recipe that I keep making every year, but I also switch from pumpkin pie to apple pie if I don’t find pumpkins in stores. Turn to budget-friendly recipes that don’t require a lot of expensive ingredients and spices. And if you’re bold enough, you can try to experiment a little by making new ones that have affordable substitutions for the main ingredients.
What recipe do you want to try for the first time this Thanksgiving?
9. Remember it’s about friends and family
Thanksgiving is about spending time with friends and family and enjoying one another, regardless of whether you eat a large turkey or a number of other simple dishes. By just paying attention to these helpful guidelines, you can have a pleasant celebration and stay within your budget. So don’t let the expense of hosting Thanksgiving dinner discourage you from doing it or from enjoying this wonderful holiday with your family and friends.
Allow yourself to step back and appreciate what you have because it’s called Thanksgiving, after all!
What are your plans for this Thanksgiving? If there are any other tips you might know, make sure you share them with The Money Place community! And if you’re new to this page and you like our content, don’t forget to subscribe!
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