How to Save on Your Thanksgiving Dinner

by Briana Carter on November 10, 2010

Planning

Plan your menu now. Evaluate your pantry and see what items you already have and what items you need to stock up on. Sounds simply, right? How often do I buy ingredients that are already in my stockpile – often!

If you are stuck on how to start planning, you can purchase Once a Month Mom Holiday 2010 eCookbook for just $9.99, which includes step by step instructions for cooking your holiday dinner by making it ahead and freezing it or you can download this free Thanksgiving Planning eBook packed with printables.

Start Shopping Now

Now that you’ve planned your menu and evaluated your pantry, you have a grocery list of items you need. Start stockpiling now. Take advantage of the pre-holiday offers and coupons on all the ingredients you need for your holiday menu like this $5 Butterball Rebate and this list of baking printable coupons. Kelly says you should pay less than $1.69/lb for your turkey depending on your region – usually $0.49 – $0.99/lb. Learn more about how to start couponing if you have never used coupons in the past.

Cook from Scratch

By buying your ingredients at the lowest sale price, which you will find in my weekly grocery deal lists, you can save 50% or more on your shopping bill. If you think you won’t have time the week of the holidays, then cook some of your recipes ahead of time and freeze.

Make Your Decorations

You don’t need to spend a ton on fancy decoration. Use what you have or collect some foliage from your yard for a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece.  Hoosier Homemade has some great Thanksgiving Decoration ideas that won’t break your budget. Paper Glitter is offering a complete printable kit for your Thanksgiving festivities.

Have a Pitch In

This is how our family rolls. Everyone brings at least one side dish and/or dessert. The person hosting usually supplies the meat and any sides of their choice. The rest is pot luck!

Order Out

Maybe you are completely stretched for time this holiday season or just want to relax and enjoy the day before the official holiday shopping season start. Order out. Places like Bob Evans are offering a full Farm Feast for under $10/serving.

Leftovers

Don’t toss the leftover – unless they’ve been sitting out for 12 hours straight. Repurpose your leftovers for a fabulous day after Thanksgiving brunch.

Share your best tips on saving for your holiday dinner in the comments section!

Photo Credit: D Sharon Pruitt

Happy Turkey Day!

by Briana Carter on November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you are having a fabulous day! Please enjoy the day with your family and friends and be safe. I’m taking a blogging day off to enjoy my day my family!

If you are looking for some fun kid Thanksgiving Freebies, download free kid’s activities on the internet to keep those kiddo’s busy! Betty Crocker has this PDF you can download with various fun activities and this page gives tons of ideas for a fun kid table!

Do you have any leftovers? Revamp dinner recipes with the leftover turkey and make turkey pot pies, turkey casseroles, etc. Pillsbury has some great ideas on what to do with those turkey leftovers.

If you feel like shopping, check out these links for some great Thanksgiving Day Savings:

Send a Thanksgiving E-Card

by Briana Carter on November 26, 2008

Send a Thanksgiving E card for FREE!