How to Save Money When Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner

When you’re on a budget, Thanksgiving can seem overwhelming. The food is traditional, everyone expects their favorites to be served – and it’s not exactly budget-friendly. However, there are a few ways you can save money while hosting a delicious Thanksgiving dinner this year:

1. Divide & Conquer – If you are hosting dinner, divide the dishes between your guests. As the host, you’re already doing a lot for the meal. It makes a lot of sense to say that you will provide the turkey, and everyone else can bring a dessert or side dish.

2. Wait Until the Week Of – Buying your ingredients ahead of time might seem easier – we all know that the week of Thanksgiving can get hectic, and the more we can do ahead of time, the better. But the food goes on sale the week of Thanksgiving. Sweet potatoes, turkey, and stuffing ingredients will never be so cheap as they are during the week of Thanksgiving!

3. Make Your Fav Dishes – Ask your guests which dishes are their favorites. If no one really cares for stuffing or dressing, there is no need to have it at your table. By just sticking to the favorite dishes you can narrow your menu down and end up saving a lot of money.

4. Clean Out Your Freezer – Before hitting your local grocery store for ingredients, check out what you already having in for freezer, fridge and pantry. Getting organized can help you plan your menu and not overbuy. Make sure to check you pantry form backing staples like flour and sugar before you buy. And you may have canned green beans or pumpkin pushed way back in the pantry.

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays and favorite meals all year, However, it can get expensive and intimidating when you’re on a budget. Use these tips to help you maximize your savings and keep your holiday budget-friendly!