Frugality and Thanksgiving Meals

Sometimes focusing on saving money can go out the window when guests are expected for a holiday dinner. This year’s holiday meal gatherings can still hold the same sentimental value and continue family traditions but without hurting your bank account. Just because guests are coming to celebrate doesn’t mean you have to go all out in order to have fun.

Here are some ideas for a fantastic yet frugal Thanksgiving celebration:

Plan Ahead
Don’t wait until the few days before a holiday to start purchasing your supplies. Selections will be lessened, prices will be higher, and in your mad rush to get it over with, you will likely not consider prices as much as you do time. Start making a list and purchase your items little by little over the weeks leading up to the celebration.

Take A Head Count
If you already know how many people will be attending the festivities, use that number to gauge how much food you will actually need. It may be tempting to please everyone with all of their favorites but try to stick with the basics that will easily feed a lot of people for less money. Leftovers are good to have but if you end up with too many leftovers, you can expect to waste food and money.

Skip The Extras
There is no need to purchase new tableclothes, fabric napkins, or other festive decorations. Use what you have or ask the children in your family to craft some great decorations while dinner is being cooked. The meal is about good food and good family, not about the flowers or other money-wasters.

Consider the Costs Before/After the Meal
In addition to spending money for the food, consider what it takes to prepare the meal. This includes the water you use for doing dishes, the electricity you use for cooking food, and what happens to the heat you lose when the kitchen gets too hot and windows are opened. It may be hard to pay attention to lights left on and other energy-wasters with everything going on but do the best you can. Use paper plates and cups instead of having to run the dishwasher.

Start New Traditions
Holidays this year are likely hard on many people in the family so don’t be afraid to venture outside the norm. Suggest alternative ideas such as a potluck dinner where everyone brings something. You might also consider having your dinner in the days following the holiday when ingredients are on clearance.