For many people, Thanksgiving is about getting the family together and the start of the holiday season. Food, of course, plays a significant role in the gathering of many families. The food you offer can, in fact, determine just how many people show up to your house each year. However, with the price of food at an all-time high, how does one have a great Thanksgiving meal without having to drain your bank account? The following are some tips to help you with your frugal Thanksgiving celebration and they may even guarantee your guests will come back next year:
Start Planning a Month Ahead
Planning your Thanksgiving dinner should start at least a month before the holiday. At this point, you will want to get your menu down first. Having a list of the main dishes, side dishes, and desserts will be beneficial. The hardest part of creating the menu, however, will be sticking to the plan once you have it set. In the few weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, you will see people sharing what they are making, and temptation will strike. Sticking to your original plan will help you stay on your budget. If you do discover something your dinner table cannot live without, consider your options before changing your menu.
Ask for Help
It is also important to consider asking for help. If you know your mother or aunt is great at making lemon meringue pie, ask them to bring one for dessert. Every single side dish or dessert that someone else brings is going to help your budget. Even better, they will love knowing they can share their food with everyone at the table.
Shop the Sales
Once you have your menu planned and know exactly what you need, start shopping the sales in your local grocery stores. Keep in mind, many of the sales start as much as a month before the actual holiday. Frozen turkey prices will usually get lower the closer it gets to Thanksgiving. But do not wait too long. If you see a good deal, grab it quickly because many people buy two or three turkeys or hams when the prices are low. Keep in mind, when shopping the sales, you may have to go to three or four stores to get the absolute best deals you can.
Cook from Scratch
While you may see some good deals on ready-made foods, you will find it is less expensive to cook from scratch. A two-crust, ready-made pie mix may seem like a great plan, but you can make your own pie crusts with what you may already have in your pantry for a quarter of the price of the ready-made crusts. Yes, it will cost you time, but it will save you a lot of money if you make your whole Thanksgiving dinner from scratch.
Be Creative with Décor
While Thanksgiving is all about the food in many homes, you cannot forget about the décor. Décor can bring smiles to the faces of all your guests and create an ambience of the season. But you do not have to go over budget to create a beautiful table. If you have children or grandchildren, give them some place cards and colored markers. A glass bowl filled with brightly colored leaves or small gourds makes the perfect centerpiece. Cornhusks, hay, pumpkins, and leaves can all be utilized to create a beautiful table celebrating fall.
