How to Save Money on Thanksgiving Dinner

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Get your turkey for free. Many supermarkets offer free turkeys to customers who spend a certain amount of money during the promotional period. It is usually not difficult to spend the amount needed to earn a turkey, since the shopping period lasts long enough for you to have made several of your grocery buying trips. If you earn a free turkey, use it. If you don’t, chances are that one of your guests is eligible for one. And since she is not cooking Thanksgiving dinner, she will probably be happy to donate it to your gathering. Ask around.
Step 2

Shop ahead. Clip your coupons and search the ads for when the things you need are on sale. If you start early enough, you shouldn’t have to pay full price for a single item on your Thanksgiving dinner list.
Step 3

Take inventory. Don't wait until you are preparing a dish that Thursday morning to find out you forgot to pick up an ingredient. Make a check list and go through your pantry to double check that you have it all. Going to the store a couple of days ahead of time for the things you missed might be annoying, but you will spend less than if you have to make a quick run to a much more expensive store that is open on the morning of the holiday. And not only will this tip save you money, it will eliminate the stress of finding out you are out of an ingredient when you are in the middle of preparing a recipe.
Step 4

When guests ask what they can bring, don’t tell them to bring nothing. Turning down the offers of others to contribute something to the meal may seem like a gracious measure, but most people who offer actually want to contribute and are not just offering out of obligation. And since you already have a free turkey, why not let them help defray the costs of some of the side dishes and desserts as well?
Step 5

Taking the guest contributing dishes idea one step further; why not make it a complete pot-luck Thanksgiving this year? Send out fun invitations inviting everyone to sign up for a portion of the meal to cook and bring along. This way no one is bearing too much of the financial burden of feeding a large meal to a crowd.
Step 6

If you still want to cook the meal on your own, you can at least ask your guests to bring the dessert. If each guest has a favorite pie he simply must have on Thanksgiving then let him bring it himself. There is no reason you should have the expense of having to serve several desserts. Sometimes the cost of the desserts winds up being more expensive than the meal itself.
Step 7

Use decorations from outside. Pine cones, acorns and autumn leaves are in abundance and they are free. Use them as accents to your décor.
Step 8

Tell guests to bring their own doggy bag. Those disposable plastic food storage containers are wonderful for sending guests home with leftovers, but the cost can add up. Request that guests who want to go home with leftovers bring something to pack them in.
Step 9

Thanksgiving is about being grateful for the family, friends and love we all share. While the day is centered around a feast, it’s the togetherness that counts most. Times are hard for everyone and nobody is going to feel badly if there is less at the table this year, or if they are asked to contribute to Thanksgiving dinner. As a matter of fact, a meal prepared by many willing hands will make the day all the more special.

Comments

Rachellewms said

on 1/27/2009 Amen! My favorite step is the one about not turning down free food from guests. Well Done!

on 12/3/2008 Here we have turkeys at a steep discount if you spend a certain amount or more. We always do "pot luck" so the host family cooks the turkey and the rest is up to the guests. What a wonderful way to do it!