Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday season, which most people have looked forward to all year. However, with Thanksgiving comes a ton of spending. According to a survey, in 2022, the average cost of a full Thanksgiving meal in the United States was 64.05 U.S. dollars. This price included a turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities significant enough to feed a family of ten.
These expenses can be difficult to cover if you are short on cash. However, despite a cash shortage, there are several ways to celebrate Thanksgiving on a budget.
Follow these tips to celebrate your Thanksgiving the way you want to without any compromise whatsoever.
By preparing your Thanksgiving menu in advance, you can get a head start on determining your budget, which will depend on the number of guests you expect, the dishes you'll need to prepare, and the ingredients you'll need to buy. You can also save money on gas and time by making a shopping list ahead of time to avoid multiple trips to the grocery store.
Once you've determined your headcount and dishes, it's time to calculate your overall Thanksgiving budget. This includes expenses for meals, grocery store trips, wine, houseware, and decor. Create a reasonable budget that meets your needs and is within your financial constraints.
With the holiday season quickly approaching, you'll need to stock up on everything from food to decorations. It is better to start your shopping early to get the finest prices. Feel free to take advantage of buy-one-get-one deals if you see them at your neighborhood grocery store because they might not be there when you need them. Food storage shouldn't be a problem because most canned foods last for months.
Hosting a potluck meal, where each guest brings one dish to the table, not only helps you save money but also enhances the experience by bringing people together. While the turkey is your responsibility as the host, you might ask your guests to provide the dessert and side dishes. Potlucks also give them a chance to use this opportunity to showcase their excellent cooking skills.
Whether you throw a potluck meal or ask your guests to bring alcohol to the table would not be considered rude. This is especially easy when you are having dinner with close friends. However, you ought to give them the larger wishbone in exchange. Pun intended.
Regarding Thanksgiving costs, the primary focus is on meal expenses, but houseware should be considered. People spend a lot of money on houseware they do not require and only use occasionally, resulting in high costs. Ask your friends, family, or neighbors to lend you their extra cookware, serving ware, etc. To help you save even more money, be bold and ask one of your guests to bring them along a day or two before the event.
Even though you might be tempted to cook those fancy foods you see on Instagram for Thanksgiving because they seem so good, you should keep your budget in mind. When considering great recipes with exotic ingredients, consider using less expensive alternatives to make the same recipe. Another approach to save money when preparing Thanksgiving meals is to use frozen or canned goods, which may be kept for another meal. However, if nothing else succeeds, it is best to keep things simple and stick to traditional, time-tested recipes.
You should scale back on the decorations if you're celebrating Thanksgiving on a tight budget. Only some things have to be brand new. As the old folks say, Thanksgiving is more about spending time with family and friends and being thankful for the year's crop. Decorate with a minimal, subtle aesthetic. Rearrange your decorations from the previous year creatively to make them appear new. The possibilities are limitless.
Everyone becomes enthusiastic about the holidays after Thanksgiving. With Black Friday the following day, people continuously search for great deals on items they've been meaning to buy. While the cost of Thanksgiving may strain your finances, you don't have to worry about missing out on the best Black Friday discounts because holiday loans can help you avoid missing those incredible offers on your favorite products. It is the best time to execute your plans and with payday loan services, you don’t have to worry about any cash shortages.
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