How To Host Thanksgiving On A Budget

The holidays are a joyful time, but they do bring loads of stress due to their costs. Even if you cut back on gifts, you still have to worry about all the expenses of the feasts, decorations, and more.

It may seem impossible to save on these items. But the good news is we have found the top ways to host Thanksgiving on a budget while still having festive fun, and we discuss it all below.

Pumpkins sitting on a table next to a gourd, pinecones, cinnamon sticks, and an apple — You can still have a festive time without breaking the bank.

How To Host Thanksgiving On A Budget

Thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away and if you’ll be playing the gracious host this year, you might be wondering how you can throw an impressive dinner spread without spending a fortune. After all, making sure that you have all the fixings on turkey day doesn’t always come cheap.

The good news is being on a tight budget doesn’t mean you can’t host a lovely dinner for your friends or family.

Here are some smart tips for How To Host Thanksgiving On A Budget, yes you can throw a memorable feast you’ll truly be thankful for this year.

Plan Everything Ahead of Time

Cranberry tart on a plate next to a bowl of cranberries — It’s never a good idea to wait until the last minute, especially during the holidays.

The key to being thrifty on thanksgiving is planning. This means you need to think about the menu you’re going to serve and how many people you’ll be hosting on the day of.

If you’re feeding a crowd and your budget is tight, opt for a more traditional spread of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and pie.

Or you can also choose to ask your guests to bring their best Thanksgiving recipes to show off for everyone.

Start Shopping Early and Stick with Your Shopping List

Staked plates on a table next to the fall decorations — During the holidays, it’s easy to get distracted and venture off when in the store. That’s why a list is a must.

Take the time to research the ingredients you’ll be needing for all the food on your menu and compile a shopping list. Before going to the store, take stock of what you have in the pantry. You’ll be surprised that there are probably ingredients you might not need to buy after all.

Consider spreading your shopping trips over the few weeks prior and shop for things that you can buy ahead of time and store in the freezer or the pantry.

Most importantly, stick to your shopping list when you’re at the store so you don’t accidentally (on purpose) spend an extra hundred dollars on extras you don’t really need.

Cook Meals from Scratch

Tukey in a dish siting on a table — It may seem more convenient to buy a ready-made Thanksgiving dinner. However, it costs twice as much.

Sometimes at the store, you’ll see boxed mashed potatoes or pre-made pies. These can tempt you to pay for convenience.

However, it’s way cheaper and simpler to cook meals from scratch than opening cans and ripping open boxes, plus you can’t beat the taste.

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An exception maybe is ready-made pie crust which can cut your pie-making time in half. But even then, setting aside 20 minutes for kneading isn’t such a bad thing.

Make it a Potluck Dinner

Two people making a toast at a Thanksgiving dinner — Save time and money by having your guest bring a side dish or dessert.

When discussing How To Host Thanksgiving On A Budget, don’t be afraid to make this year’s Thanksgiving dinner a potluck party. You can ask your guests to bring dishes and side dishes such as:

stuffing
dinner rolls
wine
dessert
drinks for the kids
mash potatoes
green bean casserole
cranberry sauce

After all, Thanksgiving is all about coming together to count and share your blessings. As a bonus, you and your guests will also be able to sample different dishes served in other households for Thanksgiving which can make the day a little more personal and special.

By making your Thanksgiving a potluck dinner, you can also save yourself a lot of stress with all the mixing, stirring, cooking, and baking you’ll need to do.

Be Smart About Holiday Décor

A pumpkin decoration next to flowers in on a set table — Stocking up on decorations when the holiday is over is a great way to get the best deals.

Decorating your home and your table for the holidays is fun and exciting. With the right décor, you can set a warm and inviting mood for your guests to savor at your party.

However, the prices of decorations can skyrocket this time of year which can throw you off budget easily.

So be smart about how you’re going to decorate your home for the holidays. Look for inspiration online and buy materials from craft stores to make your own decorations.

You Might Also Like These: Easy DIY Thanksgiving Decorations

If you’re keen on spending less for décor, go for a walk in the nearby woods and gather natural materials like pine cones, fall leaves, and dried grasses.

You can combine these with small pumpkins and decorative gourds to make for a festive and nature-inspired theme for your holiday dinner.

Knowing How To Host Thanksgiving On A Budget isn’t rocket science, we just sometimes need a little inspiration.

What are your tips and tricks for having a wonderful day and meal on the cheap? Share them int eh comments below to help us all.