Thanksgiving is one time of the year you don’t want to worry about your budget.
However, having a remarkable meal with friends and family doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s possible to have a cheap Thanksgiving that’s still a complete culinary experience.
Today, we’re sharing several tips to celebrate on a budget.
Let’s get cooking!
Can You Have an Enjoyable Thanksgiving Dinner on a Budget?
We enjoy having a table full of food and fancy decorations. However, this holiday isn’t just about what you eat, but who you eat it with. Embracing simplicity and having a cheap Thanksgiving doesn’t require settling for less.
There’s no rule saying it has to be extravagant. A feast can be bountiful and memorable without fancy centerpieces or festive napkin rings. Instead, focus on creating a meaningful meal rather than whether you’re eating it on fine china or paper plates.
In addition, make memories by watching the big game on TV, playing cards, or going for a walk. These activities encourage interaction and bonding with each other. An added benefit is that they don’t have to cost you a dime.
7 Great Tips for a Memorable Thanksgiving on a Budget
If you don’t have excess funds this year, don’t worry. You can craft an unforgettable experience with a little effort and flexibility.
#1 Plan Ahead to Stretch Your Thanksgiving Budget
Planning is a necessary step to a cheap Thanksgiving meal. Make every penny count by arranging the menu and assessing the overall needs ahead of time.
Before heading to the store, see what’s already in your pantry. You could already have cans of cranberry sauce or cream of mushroom soup tucked away from last year.
Many supermarkets run sales in preparation for major holidays. They can ease the burden on a tight budget. Be sure to look for and use coupons and rewards when purchasing. Those $.50 and $.25 coupons can add up.
Remember, you’ll need roasting pans, pie plates, and serving utensils. If you don’t already have them, check with your guests. They may be willing to bring theirs, complete with their secret recipe pie.
#2 Consider Sharing Thanksgiving Meal Prep Duties
One mistake many people make is trying to be a hero and do everything themselves. However, it isn’t an option if you’re trying to do Thanksgiving on a budget. Instead, ask guests to pitch in and bring part of the meal or other needed items.
Spreading out costs prevents one person from carrying too much of the burden. Besides, people have a better experience when they’ve contributed something to the feast.
As a host, asking those attending to contribute is perfectly acceptable. One fun and unique idea is a potluck dessert sampler table. You can have several choices without placing too much of a load on one person, and everyone gets a sweet treat or two to share.
Check with each attendee to see what they plan to contribute. Doing so avoids having three pecan or pumpkin pies.
We wondered: Are RV Parks Open on Thanksgiving and Christmas?
#3 Make It Yourself Instead of Buying Premade Items
Premade items can be more convenient but are also much more expensive. Instead of buying packaged rolls, cookies, and pies, prepare them yourself and save some dough.
Homemade versions are often more economical and an excellent opportunity to pull in little ones. Kids, especially the young ones, love assisting with the preparation. Give them a chance to get their hands dirty and join the fun. They’ll learn valuable skills they can apply later in life.
Try using the same mindset with any decorations, too. Don’t pay big bucks for ornate placemats. Instead, get a box of crayons and some blank paper. Let people create customized settings for each space at the table. It’ll get them off screens and allow them to flex their creative muscles.
#4 Look For Budget Side Dishes to Stretch Your Thanksgiving Dollars
To keep your Thanksgiving budget in check, offer inexpensive side dishes. Common options are mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and stuffing. You can easily feed a crowd for pennies.
When selecting sides, consider in-season produce. Some choices we love are sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and squash. Choosing recipes that feature them as their main ingredients can drastically reduce costs.
Remember, generic or store-brand products are typically much cheaper and provide the same quality. Choose affordable versions of basics like flour, canned vegetables, and bread crumbs. You’ll only notice a difference at the cash register.
We came up with 7 Great RV Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas!
#5 Keep It Simple
Keeping it simple when selecting recipes helps keep Thanksgiving on budget. Often, the fewer ingredients, the friendlier it is on your budget. Observe a “less is more” mentality when crafting your menu.
If you’re minimizing costs this year, prepare fewer dishes. There’s no need for everyone to stuff themselves on ten kinds of potatoes. Just make enough for your guests to sample your specialties.
Again, having mountains of food may be nice, but it’s unnecessary. Narrow your offerings based on affordability and those that have the most meaning.
#6 Plan for Leftovers to Give Your Thanksgiving Budget a Boost
Many people prepare more dishes than their crew can eat in one sitting. As a result, they end up with a fridge full of leftovers. Luckily, turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing heat up nicely for a few days.
Leftovers can supplement your groceries for the next week if you’ve got a plan. Factoring this into your budget can give it a slight boost. If you’re pinching pennies, remember these savings.
Some popular leftover meals include turkey sandwiches, pot pies, and soups. Other experiments yield cranberry sauce pancakes, stuffing waffles, and cranberry turkey quesadillas.
Get creative and play around in the kitchen.
#7 Salvage Your Thanksgiving Budget by Limiting Beverage Costs
Limiting available beverages is an effective way to have Thanksgiving on a budget. Offer essentials like water, lemonade, or tea. If you feel inclined to serve alcohol, choose a single type of wine or beer.
No matter what, alcohol for a large group is expensive. In these situations, it may be best to encourage guests to bring their favorite beverages to share. One idea is to include a beer or wine tasting where everyone gets to sample something new.
Some hosts prefer homemade beverages like fruit-infused water or a non-alcoholic punch to spice things up. These are relatively easy and inexpensive to make.
Expand your budget cooking: The Complete Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners On A Budget.
Creative Planning Can Make A Budget Thanksgiving the Best
You shouldn’t feel pressured to have a massive budget when hosting a Thanksgiving dinner. It’s possible to have a fantastic time without breaking the bank. Instead, focus on including your guests in the process to spread costs around. Using some creativity, you can have an unforgettable holiday feast that even your Aunt Karen won’t criticize.
Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA
To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).
You should give it a try!
As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.
Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers who love to score the best site!
We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: