How to Host Thanksgiving without Going Over Budget

Thanksgiving is a time to cherish family and friends and to enjoy all your favorite foods, drinks, and desserts! You want to make this day special for all your loved ones, but don’t forget your budget. Debt can easily pile up during the holidays. Between the cost of food, beverages, decorations, and dessert, your wallet may not end up being too thankful. Luckily, there are ways to make your Thanksgiving dinner memorable and budget friendly!

Here are four ways to host a Thanksgiving dinner without gobbling down your funds.

1. Start Early

Don’t overwhelm yourself by shopping for Thanksgiving at the last minute. This can throw off your budget—not to mention the store will be hectic. There’s a good chance popular Thanksgiving foods and ingredients will be marked up if you shop right before the holiday, so you should purchase nonperishable items as early as possible. Starting early will give you the time you need to hunt down the best holiday deals.

Consider making a list of what you need and then search for deals to save you money. But before you rush out to use those coupons, take inventory of what you already have. You might be surprised what’s been hiding in that cluttered pantry or packed freezer.

In addition, when buying alcohol, consider asking your store for its deals on buying cases. Purchasing a case can save you money in the long run and can come in handy for a future party or holiday gift. Finally, take a stab at do-it-yourself recipes instead of just buying items. This can help save you money even though it may be more time-consuming.

2. Ask for Help

Food can be expensive, and food prices have gone up in recent years. You were kind enough to host Thanksgiving, so don’t be afraid to ask your attendees to help out. Ask friends and family to bring specific items so that you can save both time and money and also avoid stress. You may even want to consider making it a potluck dinner. Ask your guests to bring an appetizer, side dish, dessert, or even their favorite bottle of wine or beer. This can bring new tastes to the table, lessen your expenses, and keep you within your budget.

3. Limit the Number of Dishes—or Don’t

The number of dishes you serve depends on the number of guests you’ll be feeding. By limiting the number of dishes, your grocery bill will be much lower. Consider ditching sides that haven’t wowed guests in the past and offer your guests fewer dishes in bigger quantities. This way you can buy ingredients in bulk, stay within your budget, and still have enough to feed all your guests.

On the other hand, increasing the number of side dishes can mean purchasing less turkey, which can also save you money. If you go this route, consider purchasing sides that won’t break the bank. A few canned or frozen sides can go a long way.

4. Rethink Your Décor

Your home décor can provide a nice atmosphere for your Thanksgiving dinner. Of course, you want your table to look the part, but at what price? Holiday decorations can be expensive and can take away from other areas of your Thanksgiving budget. Try to get crafty with your decorations. Find things like fall leaves, hay, and gourds to use as holiday props. You may also want to visit the dollar store to find other budget-friendly decorations.

If you do want to splurge on something and don’t have enough place settings for your guests, consider buying simple white dinner plates and a set of nice silverware. These have an elegant, timeless look and can be used for future holiday parties at your home.

If you follow these tips and you still find yourself struggling, you may need to make sure your budget’s really working for you. Consider rethinking your budget before your next event, or consider a high-rewards credit card to help your next event run smoothly. Don’t forget, you can check your credit score for free at Credit.com before you sign up.

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