Top Tips for Festive Feasting

The holidays are here, and with them come tighter belts and tighter budgets. But that doesn’t mean you can’t eat like kings and queens this Thanksgiving! We’ve rounded up our top tips for festive feasting to ensure your day of thanks is delicious without breaking the bank.

Set a budget

Take a look at your food budget and decide what you can realistically afford to spend on your Thanksgiving meal. Where can you cut corners? Are there any foods that people barely touch that you can leave off this year’s menu? These days, many grocery stores have websites with prices listed; do your homework and stick to your list.

Research recipes

Every Thanksgiving table has the standards: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and more. Before you head to the store to stock up, take a close look at your recipes and which ingredients you already have in your pantry. Do you need more cinnamon, or is there a jar hiding in the back of the pantry? Avoiding superfluous spending will help you stay on budget.

Make a list

We’ve all done it: We go to the grocery store without a list, thinking that we know exactly what we need. And how many times have you walked out without a key item, or added extra items to your cart? It’s easy to do! This Thanksgiving, make a list and stick to it.

Shop in season

When planning this year’s Thanksgiving menu, consider in-season, and therefore affordable, fruits and vegetables like apples, cranberries, squash, pumpkin, broccoli and more. Many of these are already Thanksgiving classics, so it’s a win-win!

Stock up where you can

To avoid dropping a chunk of change at one time, stock up where you can. Buy non-perishable items like wine, napkins and canned goods when they’re on sale, and remember that some perishable items, like potatoes, have longer shelf lives than others. Spreading out your spending makes Thanksgiving shopping easier to digest.

Decrease decor

These days, it’s easy to look at social media and think you need to go overboard with your decor, but it’s just not true. Thanksgiving is all about sharing a meal with the ones you love and being thankful for what you have—not trying to prove yourself for faceless followers on social media. Save money this year by repurposing existing decor, doing DIY projects with the kids, or bringing in touches from the outside like pumpkins and flowers from the garden.

Embrace potluck style

It’s usually easiest for the Thanksgiving host to cook the turkey, but that doesn’t mean they should be responsible for all of the sides. Save money this year by making Thanksgiving a potluck event and assigning sides and desserts to your guests. Not only does it save money, but it’s also a great way to try new dishes and flavors!

Love the leftovers

A big meal like Thanksgiving usually results in a lot of leftovers. Reduce food waste by sending leftovers home with guests, creating a casserole with your favorite dishes, adding fruits to muffins and oatmeal, and so on. The possibilities are endless, and there are countless recipes online to help you craft a delicious Thanksgiving leftover recipe that just might become a yearly mainstay.

During this season of gratitude, we’re thankful for customers like you. Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with happiness and cherished moments with your loved ones!