The Thanksgiving meal doesn’t have to be a costly affair and you can easily turn it around without breaking your budget. Do a cost analysis by listing all items on your menu.
The menu will include turkey (for obvious reasons), sweet potatoes, potatoes (mashed), bread stuffing, butter rolls, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, coffee and milk. For additional items, the cost for your dinner may be even higher, but here’s how you can celebrate Thanksgiving on a budget this year.
Don’t DIY. Potluck it
Share the load. Allow your guests to bring in a dish or two as part of the dinner. The best way to go about that is to throw out some ideas that will keep the food safe while being transported like fruit pies, rolls, or a beverage such as bottled water or soda. After all, this year will feature the most expensive Thanksgiving dinner ever.
Sales are the real deal
Shop the sales at your local grocery stores. The popular Thanksgiving menu foods are on sale for the holiday and we all know that grocery shopping for Thanksgiving is always a capital-E Event.
You don’t want to get home without everything you need and risk disappointing someone who’s looking forward to their favorite dish. This is all even before the cooking can start and you don’t want that kind of disappointment.
The key is in the planning
Have a menu planned ahead of time that will allow you to purchase your thanksgiving items when they are on sale. This is your time to stock up on items that can be used later in the year like fresh cranberries, turkey, canned pumpkin and brown sugar.
Ensure to use the foods that are in season right now to plan your menus like pumpkins, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes and apples. These are traditional foods on the menu for Thanksgiving. Apple salad, roasted squash and pumpkin pie are not only budget-friendly but tasty too!
If you want to avoid impulse purchases then plan the menu and make a shopping list. Look into your cupboards and only buy items you don’t have on hand. You could even browse low-cost recipe ideas. Ensure to stay away from debt this Thanksgiving.
Keep a clean slate
As important as it is to plan and enjoy your Thanksgiving meal, maintaining healthy food habits and bearing food safety in mind matters as you prepare your holiday meal.
Give plenty of time for thawing the turkey in the refrigerator. If you are short on time, you can thaw the turkey under cold running water first, then in the microwave and then cook it immediately after.
Ensure to wash countertops spotless and keep all your cooking utensils clean. Also wash your hands. It is important especially before cooking, after handling raw poultry or meat and after using the restroom.
Don’t throw leftovers
Don’t throw your leftovers but also don’t store them for too long. Use up leftovers within 3 to 4 days. Above all, no matter how it affects your budget, have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving meal no matter what you have to eat and how much it costs you!
