According to Business Insider, the average Thanksgiving dinner for 10 is supposed to cost only $49.41. But those who have ever hosted know that real-world costs are much higher. Taking into account table settings, decorations, and food, some families may spend between $100 and $200. And shortly after this costly celebration is Christmas, arguably the priciest holiday of all.
Here are a few budget-friendly suggestions to make sure Thanksgiving doesn’t stress your finances during the holiday season.
KEEP IT SIMPLE WITH CLASSIC DISHES
Traditional Thanksgiving dishes like turkey, pumpkin pie, and green bean casserole are typically the most cost-effective. Supermarkets often offer significant discounts on these items during the holiday season to draw in customers. Make sure to stock up to avoid emergency trips to the store on Thanksgiving day. Any leftovers can be donated to a local food bank.
ENCOURAGE GUESTS TO CONTRIBUTE
It’s not necessary to shoulder the burden of making everything yourself. Asking each guest or family to bring a side dish or dessert to share can relieve you of some stress and distribute the cost of the meal. Guests who are less adept in the kitchen, like your single brother-in-law, can help out by bringing drinks or disposable plates.
CONSIDER A NON-TRADITIONAL FEAST
While sticking to classic dishes is generally cheaper, if turkey dinner isn’t quite your style, there’s no need to force it. For example, a lasagna, which feeds many and costs around $20 to make, could be a good alternative. You can also consider the joy of volunteering at a food shelter or substituting a traditional meal with a family movie.
PLAN FOR THE DAYS AFTER
Hosting Thanksgiving is tiring, and this exhaustion may lead to extra costs like more frequent Starbucks visits or eating out. To mitigate these potential expenses, prepare some freezer meals in advance. Hiring a cleaning service for a few hours after the celebration to tidy up might also be worth considering, especially to avoid stress-induced, unhealthy food purchases later.
KEEP THE DECORATION MINIMAL
Focus on the food for Thanksgiving and keep decorations simple. Natural items like pine cones or leaves can bring life to your table without costing a lot. Remember, the essence of Thanksgiving isn’t about splurging, but spending quality time with loved ones.
Remember, whether you opt for a traditional Thanksgiving meal or deviate from the norm, the main thing is to enjoy the holiday with people you care about.
