One thing I have learned as a stay at home mommy is how to budget and save for the best bang for my buck. Holidays can be overwhelmingly expensive if you don’t plan things out. We aren’t hosting this year (and never have) but I came up with a list of important to-do’s to help cut the costs of hosting Thanksgiving in your home.
1. Create a meal plan
Get the idea in your mind of you want your table to look like when the guests arrive. Do you want mashed potatoes and gravy or sweet potatoes with brown sugar, carrots or green bean casserole, or all of the above? Once you have decided on what the “feel” of how everything should be and what the menu consists of, get to work writing it down. Remember, Uncle Joe does not need to go home with a HUGE plate of leftovers!
2. Set your priorities
Once the menu is complete, figure out what you feel is a must for the holiday gathering. It isn’t necessary to have 3 different desserts and 2 different potato options. Think of your guests and what they might enjoy and go from there.
3. Set a budget
If you don’t have an arm and a leg to spend then it is important to set a budget. A group of 10 people can eat a FANTASTIC Thanksgiving Day meal for just over $70…that’s right….$70! Set the budget and STICK TO IT once you are at the supermarket.
4. Shop your pantry
Before leaving to get the supplies at the store, double check your pantry to see if you have any substitutions or even ingredients that are required in your recipe. It’s likely you already have at least a few of the ingredients on your list. No need to buy the same ingredient twice!
Congratulations! The planning stage is done and now you’re ready to hit the grocery store.
5. Leave the kids at home
I don’t know about you, but I simply cannot focus when I have my girls with me. When shopping for the meal and supplies, you want to stay focused (and stick to the budget). When the kiddos tag along, I usually end up spending more than I had anticipated.
6. Buy generic
Go generic where it makes sense but splurge on the stars of the meal. Generic tends to have the same ingredients as name brand items so don’t feel like you need the most expensive ingredient to make the recipe taste good. But if a generic brand only saves you 50 cents and could jeopardize your famous sausage stuffing recipe, it’s okay to stick with name brand.
7. Skip prepackaged meals
Making food from scratch is a MUST when cutting costs. By purchasing prepackaged foods, you’re not just paying for the ingredients. You’re paying for everything that went into making the meal and getting it to your local grocery store.
8. Save a tree
Take out Grandma’s fine china or dust off your own and get the real silverware ready. It will feel more “traditional” and classy anyways. Yeah you have a bit more work to do when everyone leaves BUT you’re saving trees, cutting costs, AND looking classy when hosting. Don’t have enough silverware and plates for everyone…that’s okay…borrow from a friend or neighbor!
Turkey just tastes better when it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. So make a game plan and stick to it. Keep the grocery list under control, and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a delicious and regret-free (well, except for that third slice of pumpkin pie) Thanksgiving feast.
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