10 Smart Ways To Save on Thanksgiving Dinner This Year

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to gobble up your budget to be delicious. With a little planning, a dash of creativity, and some smart swaps, you can serve up a feast that’s just as festive. Without a financial food coma.

Here’s how to save big on your Thanksgiving dinner while still making it a meal to remember.

planning Your Budget-Friendly Thanksgiving Dinner

1. Set A Spending Limit

While we all dream of a picture-perfect holiday, setting clear spending limits is key to avoid overspending.

1. Review last year’s expenses to get an idea of what’s reasonable.
2. Then, decide on a total budget for the dinner. Factor in food, drinks, decorations, and dinnerware.
3. Make a detailed grocery list before shopping that you can stick to.

2. Keep The Menu Simple

It’s easy to go overboard with holiday dishes. Keep your menu focused on a few key items to reduce costs and waste. Instead of offering a huge variety, pick a couple of crowd-pleasers and focus on quality.

Affordable menu ideas include:

• Stick with budget friendly Thanksgiving sides
• Use a turkey breast in place of a whole turkey
• Incorporate seasonal produce (squash, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and cranberries)
• Make gravy from scratch using drippings instead of a package
• Serve a cheeseball or simple spinach dip for an appetizer

Another perk of a simple menu? It will help keep your stress level low during this busy season.

3. Make It A Potluck

For our big family Thanksgiving dinner, everyone contributes. The family member hosting provides the main dish while everyone else brings a side dish, appetizer, or dessert.

Pro Tip: Communicate what you will bring ahead of time to ensure you have everything covered.

Related: November Savings Challenge Printable

4. Take Inventory Of What You Have

Before shopping, thoroughly examine your pantry, fridge, and freezer to see what you already have. This helps you avoid buying unnecessary items.

Try a pantry challenge while you are doing inventory to clear out space and save extra money ahead of the holidays.

5. Shop Early

If you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll be able to find great deals for Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season. Start shopping early for items like:

• Cranberry sauce cans
• Packets of gravy
• Frozen vegetables
• Boxes of stuffing
• Cans of pumpkin
• Spices and herbs
• Broth or stock
• Flour, sugar, and baking supplies
• Frozen dessert puff pastries
• Non-perishable snacks for charcuterie boards

Buy whole frozen turkeys early to keep in your freezer. You’ll avoid those last-minute price hikes.

Early shopping also lets you spread out expenses over a few weeks, making it more manageable.

6. Shop Smart For Ingredients

Make smart choices when shopping. Purchase store-brand or generic versions for staples and buy in bulk when you need larger portions.

Related: Best Things to Buy at Costco & Best Things to Buy at Sam’s Club

7. Bake Your Own Desserts

Holiday desserts can be pricey. But making them from scratch is far more affordable. Simple treats like cookies, pies, or cakes can be baked with ingredients you likely already have at home.

8. Save On Beverages

Keep the drink options simple when hosting. Offer water, tea, and one festive signature drink. To add variety without extra cost, invite guests to bring a bottle of wine to share.

For a non-alcoholic option, try an easy mocktail made with equal parts orange juice, cranberry juice, and sparkling water.

This sangria recipe is my favorite drink to add to holiday celebrations.

9. DIY Decorations and Settings

Before stepping into your favorite home goods store, take inventory of the decor you already own. This curbs the temptation to buy new and ensures you make the most of what you already have. Chances are you have accumulated enough decorations to make a simple, but beautiful Thanksgiving tablescape.

Add to your existing decor with these ideas:

• Create a centerpiece with garland and mason jars.
• Create decor with natural items like greenery, pinecones, and berries.
• Bundle your silverware in napkins tied with twine or festive ribbon. Add a sprig of rosemary or a leaf.
• Let your kids help by making small crafts and decorating butcher paper to make a festive table runner.

Use your current plates or break out that fancy china you never use. Add some festive napkins and Voila! Your table is set without any added expense.

10. Repurpose Leftovers

Don’t let leftovers go to waste! Plan to repurpose them new meals for the days following Thanksgiving.

There are many simple leftover turkey recipes for soups, sandwiches, casseroles, and more. Extra vegetables can be transformed into a frittata or stir-fry.

Encourage guests to take home large amounts of leftovers. Freeze anything you won’t eat right away.

After the Celebration

After the food is devoured and the dishes are done, take a moment to evaluate your spending.

• What dishes and drinks were a hit?
• What items were left uneaten or unused?

Spot opportunities to cut costs next year and jot them down to reference when planning next Thanksgiving.

Pro Tip: I like to store these notes directly in the container with my table decor, so I’m sure to see them next year.

You don’t need a big budget to create a memorable Thanksgiving dinner. It’s the thought and care you put into the meal, not the money spent, that makes it truly special.

More Ways To Save This Thanksgiving

• Low Cost Thanksgiving Party Ideas
• Free Fall Activities to Do With Kids
• Best Christmas Budgeting Planner

What’s Next?

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Don’t forget to save these ideas to Save on Thanksgiving Dinner for later on Pinterest!