Stress-Free Thanksgiving Hacks That Won’t Break The Bank

Thanksgiving is a day of family and friends gathering to share everything they are grateful for… and usually around a lot of food! From housing family and friends to preparing the turkey, there’s a lot to get done for Thanksgiving. The costs alone are enough to cause anyone to stress. Review how you can tackle this turkey-themed holiday with budget-friendly tips.

1. Plan Ahead

Holidays always sneak up on us. Mark on your calendar the day you should start planning your Thanksgiving meal – this should be earlier than the week before. Starting sooner rather than later will give you time to find new recipes you want to try, make the menu, create a grocery list, and reach out to family and friends who need to come over.

Planning early also gives you time to start thinking of the details:

  • What should be the décor?
  • How should the food be served?
  • What is the entertainment?

Plus, it gives you time to set a realistic budget, shop early, and secure deals and coupons.

2. Simplify The Menu

In the movies, the Thanksgiving table is packed with delicious dishes – there’s barely any space to have a place setting! You don’t have to go all out with the traditional, extravagant Turkey Day meal. Remember, this day is about coming together and being grateful for the people in your life.

This Thanksgiving, consider a simpler menu. Keep the entrée, but reduce the amount of side dishes. You don’t need rolls, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy, five different types of pies, stuffing, etc. Instead, only serve the sides that are usually a hit. Turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls, and pumpkin pie are a well-rounded meal that everyone will still enjoy as much as the traditional meal.

3. Shop Smart

For Thanksgiving to be a success, you need to shop for your ingredients and décor. Shop smart and get more bang for your buck by following these shopping tips:

  • Buy generic or store-brand items. Big name brands usually cost more than generic or store-brand items. Even with a coupon, you may end up paying significantly more, and even smaller savings add up. Save every dollar you can and stick with cheap ingredients that taste the same.
  • Clip coupons and look for deals. More coupons and deals will become available as the holiday approaches. Take advantage of these savings opportunities, but only clip coupons and go after deals for items you actually need. Many shoppers get caught up in the savings and end up accidentally getting more than what they need because there is a deal.
  • Buy ingredients in bulk. Since you are cooking for a crowd, buy in bulk. The more you buy, the less you spend. Buying in bulk results in lower prices per unit, which is long-term savings you gain.

4. More Than One Turkey

Turkey is the name of the game. Some people opt for ham for this holiday, but usually the centerpiece of the meal is turkey. There is a lot of prep work that goes into a turkey. So, consider buying two small turkeys instead of one large turkey this year. Two small turkeys mean less defrosting time, less freezer space, and you have the opportunity to cook your turkey two different ways. Plus, you may even save money by choosing two small entrees instead of one large bird.

5. Host Hacks

Let’s face it. Hosting is the most stressful part of the party. Keeping guests fed and happy is a chore. So, let’s take out some of the work with these hosting hacks:

  • Set up a self-serve drink station. Instead of running back and forth from the fridge to keep everyone hydrated, set up a drink station. Your guests can choose their own drinks and pour them themselves. Offer a variety of beverages, including water, soda, and more, with ice. Pro tip: Set out disposable cups to cut down on your after-party cleanup.
  • Serve up buffet-style. Save space at the dining table by setting up a buffet table. This is a table off to the side with all the food for the evening. Everything is served at once and results in less time with you in the kitchen than the traditional formal meal with staggered courses.
  • Encourage a potluck. Cook even less by encouraging your guests to bring a side dish. This cuts costs and cooking time for you. The goal is to just take care of the drinks and entrée. However, make sure you coordinate so you don't end up with 5 different cranberry dish variations and no potatoes!

Hosting Thanksgiving for family and friends doesn’t have to be a stressful event. Instead, with proper preparation and planning, you can make this year the best Thanksgiving yet!