If you’ve ever found yourself tempted to swipe your credit card for that big Thanksgiving dinner—or maybe even considered skipping it altogether to avoid the cost—you’re not alone! Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite tips to having Thanksgiving on a budget without sacrificing any of the things that make this holiday special. Sound like something you want? Well then, let’s get started!
Links for This Episode
- Check out these DIY Resources and Templates
- Download your FREE Holiday Budget Worksheet
- Join the Financial Fix Up Membership
Podcast Episode Recommendations
- #32: How to Have Stress-Free Money Conversations with Family
- #31: So You Can’t Afford Christmas This Year, Now What?
- #30: How to Create and Stick to a Holiday Budget
- #17: 9 Things to Consider When It’s Your Chance to Host
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5 Ways to a Have Successful Thanksgiving on a Budget
Well hey there and welcome back to the Financial Fix Up Podcast! I’m Sarah Brumley, and today we’re talking about one of my absolute favorite holidays – Thanksgiving. The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, and if you live in the United States, you’re probably starting to think about that first of many holiday gatherings. And let’s be honest, those holiday gatherings can start to add up!
Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite tips to keep your Thanksgiving budget-friendly without sacrificing any of the things that make the holiday special. And, no matter where you are in your financial journey, I’m pretty sure you’ll find at least one tip to help you press forward.
Let’s jump right in with the first tip, and one of the easiest ways to get started.
Tip #1: Start Shopping Early
It’s no secret that Thanksgiving shopping can lead to some serious sticker shock, especially if you’re buying everything at once. If you’re hosting or bringing a dish to share, don’t wait until the last minute to grab your ingredients. There are three key reasons for this:
Reason #1: Inventory Shortages
Stores actually run out of popular holiday items, and the last thing you want is to hunt down that one last can of pumpkin puree the day before Thanksgiving. Get ahead of the game by buying items early when they’re in stock and at regular prices.
Reason #2: Specials
Many stores, like Kroger or Fred Meyer in my area, offer holiday deals. Often, spending a certain amount on groceries could even land you a free turkey. If you plan ahead, you can maximize these deals, so you’re not only feeding everyone, but also getting more for your dollar.
Reason #3: Budget-Friendly Shopping
If you haven’t planned for a big, one-time Thanksgiving food budget, spread out your purchases over a few weeks. This strategy can make the cost feel lighter. For example, grab canned goods one week, cranberry sauce the next, and maybe some spices or boxed items the following week. Little by little, you’ll have everything you need without feeling the financial pinch.
Note: Use loyalty points, reward programs, or cash-back apps if possible to maximize savings on Thanksgiving purchases.
Tip #2: Consider a Potluck Thanksgiving
If you’re having friends and family over, why not share the costs by turning Thanksgiving into a potluck? Not only does this take the burden off of one person, but it also brings a variety of foods to the table. I’ve loved doing this over the years – we usually take care of the turkey or main meat, and we ask guests to bring a dish they enjoy.
Think about it – one guest might bring a delicious Green Bean Casserole, while another brings a family-favorite dessert. Not only will you get to try new recipes and have a variety of options but you won’t have to pay for every single dish yourself.
Some ideas for shared dishes are:
- Mashed Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Cranberry Sauce
- Veggie Tray
- Chips and Dip
- A classic Pumpkin Pie or dessert of choice
Now, in order to make this work, I do recommend clear communication ahead of time. Find out what each person plans to bring as a side dish because the last thing you want to have is five pumpkin pies and no mashed potatoes. Either way, you can get creative, and make it a fun meal where everyone gets to pitch in.
Tip #3: Get Creative with the Main Dish
For those who aren’t tied to tradition, or if you’re finding the cost of a turkey a bit too steep this year, I suggest considering alternative main dishes. The first year that Justin and I hosted our own Thanksgiving, we did so with another family. We had no money and neither did they, but we were all really excited to celebrate together. Needless to say, standing in the turkey aisle at the grocery store that month, we knew we couldn’t afford one. At least not in addition to the potatoes, pie and cranberry sauce that we wanted to include as well. So, instead, we opted for a spiral-cut ham that was a fraction of the cost.
Whatever you do, it’s important to recognize that Thanksgiving is really all about togetherness. If you can’t afford to pay for the traditional meal, make a new tradition with whatever fits your budget.
Turns out, everyone loved the ham that year, so much that we made it a yearly thing for the rest of the time that we lived in that town. It was a hit, and we were able to keep our budget intact so that we could continue on with our holiday season.
Tip #4: Keep Decorations Simple
My next tip is to keep decorations simple and I have to admit that Thankgiving decor is not really my thing, so this isn’t something that I’ve struggled with over the years. In fact, twelve years ago my girls asked me if we could get some decorations for Thanksgiving so together we decided on a really goofy looking fabric turkey that hangs on the wall only during the month of November. And, just last year I added to that by purchasing a fake fall flower arrangement. So, super simple and not costly.
If money is tight, but you must have decorations, then you can always consider using pine cones, pumpkins or leaves to create fun DIY arrangements and crafts.
Either way, if you’re anything like me, the Christmas decor is going up the day after Thanksgiving anyways, so keep it simple!
Tip #5: Plan for Leftovers
The final tip I want to offer isn’t really related to Thanksgiving preparations, but instead, what to do with all of the leftovers afterwards. And I do recommend having a plan in place ahead of time so that none of the food goes to waste. You could consider:
- Turkey Soup
- Turkey Casserole
- Sandwiches
- Quesadillas
- Pumpkin Bread if you have leftover pumpkin puree
- Breakfast Potato Hash
…the sky is the limit, but plan to eat the leftover food. Not only does it prevent waste, but it’ll save you some money when it comes to your grocery budget, too.
Note: One thing I do is note “leftovers” on my meal plan calendar for the three days after Thanksgiving. The truth is that I know that if we don’t have enough leftovers for those three days, it’s likely we can forage for food out of our freezer and not have to purchase all new ingredients for a full meal. Plus, who really wants to cook another big meal right after Thanksgiving?
Embracing Thanksgiving on a Budget
So there you have it, my tips to help you have an amazing Thanksgiving without ruining your budget.
And I do want to encourage you this Thanksgiving season to think about what really matters. Is it the perfect spread, or is it the time spent with loved ones? Because the truth is that with a little planning, you can enjoy the holiday without stressing about the bill.
And before you go, don’t forget to my FREE Holiday Budget Worksheet. It’s designed to help you stay on track this season, not only for Thanksgiving but as we head into the rest of the holidays. You can find it at lemonblessings.com/holiday or by clicking the link in the show notes.
Whatever you decide, just know that I’m cheering you on! You’ve got this! Have an amazing day and I’ll chat with you again next time!
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