Written by Chelsea Briche of The Millennial Miss.
Photo: Courtesy of kaboompics.com
Breaking news: Hosting a Thanksgiving dinner on a budget is totally possible. If you’ve been passed the baton and are expected to serve a palate-pleasing, memorable feast then I’m here to help. With these uncomplicated tips you’ll rock Thanksgiving and be dubbed the hostess with the mostess.
And if the moment arises that you want to bang your head against the wall, remember: if all else fails just put the turkey in the oven, a la Mary Risley. If you want to know how to host Thanksgiving on a budget, check out these six easy and effective tips and tricks:
ADMIT YOU NEED HELP
Depending on how much help you need this can go a few different ways. If you feel it is appropriate then make dinner potluck style. That way everyone can be involved and you don’t have to be the holiday hero. If you do go the potluck route I would take the time to assign people specific dishes to ensure that all the essentials are covered.
If you are hosting Thanksgiving just for your immediate family, find a friend in the same position and split your groceries! You will save money and won’t have to scratch your head two weeks after Thanksgiving wondering what to do with all the leftovers.
2. MAKE IT BYOB or BYOW
While you may strive to be this holiday season’s “hostess-with-the-most-est,” alcohol can be expensive and the cost can make a big dent in your Thanksgiving budget. If you want to spread out your funding more evenly between food and decorations, there’s no shame in suggesting that everyone bring their own alcoholic beverage of their choosing.
3. DON'T OVERSERVE
Prioritize side dishes and appetizers. Do you really need to serve five apps and 10 side dishes? That answer would be no, you really don’t. Keep those dishes that you can’t do without on the menu and leave the others for another occasion.
4. GET CRAFTY
For you, overachievers out there who are trying to go the extra mile, decorating your home for the holidays can really add to the festive ambiance. Despite what your instincts may be telling you, it is possible to skip the expensive Target run and do some DIY art and crafts yourself! You can also look around your home and see what can be re-envisioned into holiday décor. And remember, the people sitting around the table are what matter most, not those festive napkins and overpriced Thanksgiving wreaths.
5. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE SHOPPING LIST
You made a list prior to the grocery store for a reason, right? Before you step into the store look yourself in the mirror and tell yourself, “I will only buy what is on the list. No other item will hit the cart.” I would suggest writing out a menu, all ingredients, and a budget; this will help you avoid surprise costs and prevent you from walking out of the store wondering if you have everything.
Looking for some inexpensive, quick and easy recipes to wow your dinner guests with? Here are a few options from the talented Tieghan Gerard’s food blog, Half Baked Harvest!
For Starters:
Marinated Tomato and Grilled Veggie Cheese Board
For Entrees:
Herb and Butter-Roasted Turkey with White Wine Pan Gravy
For Sides:
Easy Cheese and Prosciutto Croissants
For Desserts:
Blueberry Brown Betty
Happy Thanksgiving! Where will you be spending the holiday this year?
About the Author
Chelsea Briche runs the popular blog The Millennial Miss. A platform for young women surviving their twenties with grace and a lot of humility. The platform is Chelsea's "pledge to you, the ones who haven’t quite figured it all out yet. That we, together, will immerse ourselves in every single thing possible; explore, love a lot, love a little, and never touch the ground.”
This post was originally published on November 17, 2017, and has since been updated.
