Saving Money Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving

Food can get really expensive when hosting any party at your home, especially Thanksgiving. With all the side dishes, desserts, beverages (non-alcoholic) and alcoholic ones, table decorations, and of course the turkey, you may spend a small fortune. It's easy to let the spending run away with you during this wonderful holiday! But no more! Today, I am going to share with you my favorite ways to save money for hosting Thanksgiving.

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• My Story
• Saving Money Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving
• Easy Thanksgiving Party Planning Tips
• Saving Money Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving
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• Parmesan Garlic Roasted Potatoes Recipe
• Delicious Smoked Paprika Roasted Potatoes Recipe
• Mashed Turnips with Bacon Recipe
• Roasted Delicata Squash and Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
• Roasted Sweet Potato, Delicata Squash, and Parsnip Recipe
• Honey Roasted Beets, Carrots, and Sweet Potato Recipe
• Roasted Broccoli and Sweet Potatoes Recipe
• Broccoli Sweet Potato Carrot Roasted Vegetables Recipe
• Delicious Butternut Squash Soup recipe for Weeknight Meals
• Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Recipe
• Conclusion

My Story

I have been hosting Thanksgiving for 30 years, and each year, I have modified and tweaked to save money, especially when the kids were little. We have hosted Thanksgiving for 12 and up to 20 people over the years, and each year, depending on the size, we have modified everything to save money and time. It has been an honor to serve our friends and family over the years, and we look forward to continuing this tradition for many years to come.

Saving Money Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving

To get you started, it is essential to plan. No planning equals no savings. I've created a free Thanksgiving Party Planning eBook for you to download. If you want to read more about this ebook and get a copy, visit my post below.

Below is an image of one of the three pages in this planning ebook, which will help you decide on your recipes, what you plan to eat, and what dates and times you need for preparation and cooking. You can learn more about the details of this sheet and how to use it on the blog post link above.

Saving Money Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving

When planning is complete, it is now time to work on the details that will save you money. Below are some tips to help you save money on specific aspects of hosting Thanksgiving.

Share the expense.

The first saving money tip while hosting Thanksgiving is a simple one, and people have been doing this for years. Have guests bring side dishes and desserts. Guests usually want to contribute to a party. So let them. Determine the menu first, then see where others can contribute. I like to request side dishes, desserts, and drinks whenever possible.

Buy ingredients in bulk.

Bulk buying can only be done with the right grocery list for this holiday. Below is an example of how to create a grocery list using multiple recipes. I have used this layout for years to ensure I don't overspend.

There are common ingredients that are typically found in all Thanksgiving dinners. Below is the ingredients list, which includes the items that may be needed on the grocery list.

Protein: Turkey, Ham

Fats - Butter, Oil

Vegetables - Garlic, Onions, Carrots, Celery

Cans and jars - these could be for cranberry sauce and other items you may use, such as string beans or sweet potatoes.

Others - this section includes everything else. Spices (affiliate), herbs, breads, broth, etc...

Across the top of this sheet, you can write the name of the recipe you will be using. Then, go down the ingredient list and mark how many of each common item you need. There is space to add the additional ingredients if required.

Pro Tip: I like to split the row or column in half to add additional recipes or ingredients.

If you sign up for my newsletter, you can get this and my other ebooks absolutely free.

Plan leftover meals to save on cooking and time.

Since Thanksgiving meals are usually large and have lots of leftovers, determining the leftover recipes can help with planning what you want to make during the weekend. Our go-to recipes are a turkey pot pie, turkey club sandwiches, and turkey and gravy.

Buy bulk ingredients/items with coupons.

After reviewing the list of ingredients you need, you can then search for coupons. There are several places to find coupons to save money. Below is a list of places to visit.

• Grocery Store mailers
• Grocery App
• Coupons.com
• Grocery Coupon Network App

Search in Google or your favorite browser to find more places to get coupons.

Reuse affordable side dish recipes.

If you reuse dishes you have tried throughout the year, they will most likely be more affordable than making extravagant ones. The fewer the ingredients, the better. Below are some of my favorite vegetable sides for Thanksgiving.

Visit dollar stores for discounts on table decor.

Decorating the table can look gorgeous and inviting without looking cheap. Look for items that are glass instead of plastic. Items that are natural in color are more elegant than those with lots of color. Pick fabrics like canvas that give a sophisticated look to the table, and you can find them easily.

Use reusable plates and utensils.

Instead of buying plates and utensils (affiliate) each year, consider acquiring an extensive collection of porcelain plates and silverware from IKEA or second-hand stores. Even the dollar store (affiliate) has some silverware you can afford. Remember, the most commonly used utensils (affiliate) at Thanksgiving are a fork and a knife. You may need to purchase soup spoons and tea spoons if you plan to serve soup and tea/coffee.

Gather items together before buying more.

No one wants to spend a lot during the Thanksgiving holiday. I like to gather all the items I will be using together in one place, such as the dining room table. And then determine what I still need. Writing down a list of required items helps me focus on only the essentials when I am shopping.

Buy whole Items to save

When buying butcher-carved meat, there is a premium price associated with the type of cut you want. So, instead, learn to carve it yourself (check out this YouTube video). Go for a whole turkey instead of a turkey breast. If you need a turkey breast for a stuffed turkey (like we make), carving it yourself gives you extra meat, such as legs and wings, for making turkey broth to use for gravy. This has been a trick we used to save money on turkey for years, since we usually buy two turkeys each year. Additionally, you don't need to buy store-bought broth either. It's a win-win.

Create your own dishes instead of buying pre-made ones.

With the grocery list I shared above, you can easily create your own dish from scratch instead of buying pre-made items. This will save you a ton of money. Yes, it will take you more time. However, if you are strategic about finding the right recipe with a few ingredients, you can save a significant amount of money and minimize your time. Shot for recipes that are no more than 5-8 ingredients.

Reuse Fall decor for table decorations.

If you'd like to decorate your table, consider using fall decor from around your home or in your attic for a festive look. It's easy and free since you already bought the items years ago.

Beverages can be made from scratch.

And lastly, this particular tip is one of my all-time favorite Saving Money Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving. One of my favorite drinks to make is homemade iced tea and lemonade. I use Lipton tea bags (8-10 tea bags) and then add them to boiling water for 15 minutes. I also add ¼ to ½ cup of sugar (if needed) and then transfer the mixture to a large pitcher. It's a recipe my mother-in-law used to make for her parties, and I've come to love it. The Lemonade was usually made from powder. CountryTime is our preferred one. I would purchase a large container from the wholesale store near us and use it throughout the year.

Conclusion

I hope this post helps you save money while hosting a fabulous and delicious Thanksgiving. Now it is your turn, please share your tips in the comment section below. I would love to hear from you. Below are some other party planning posts to help you stay organized!