Hi, it’s Missy from Graceful Little Honey Bee and today I’m going to share with you some tips and tricks on how to feed a large crowd this Thanksgiving on a budget.
How to Feed a Large Crowd This Thanksgiving on a Budget
Since we recently moved into our newly remodeled house and have a lot more room than we used too, I’ve been nominated to host Thanksgiving Dinner this year. I’m pretty excited about it, but also a little nervous since I’ve never been in charge of such a big meal. One thing I am confident about is that I can do it all on a small budget.
If you’ve ever been to my blog, then you know I love to create easy and delicious recipes that are also inexpensive meals. So if you find yourself hosting a big holiday dinner this year, but you don’t want to break the bank, then keep reading for my top tips on how to feed a large crowd this Thanksgiving on a budget.
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Cook from Scratch
Whenever I write a list of money-saving cooking tips I ALWAYS, include this one. Cooking something from scratch will definitely save you money versus buying the same item prepackaged. People like the convenience of buying a pumpkin pie and a bag of dinner rolls from the grocery store, but taking the extra effort to cook these things from scratch, will not only save you money, but it will also taste better and is better for your health.
Some of my favorite from-scratch holiday recipes include…
Some appetizer ideas are:
- Bite Sized Stuffed Mushrooms with Sausage and Arugula
- Asparagus and Bacon
- Apple Spice Cookies
- Broccoli & Grape Salad
- Cottage Cheese Dip (for carrots/celery)
Take Advantage of Sales
The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year to go grocery shopping because of all the great deals you can score. Starting in October, grocery stores will offer deep discounts on holiday items such as turkeys, baking supplies, canned vegetables, nuts, cranberries, etc.
Some things that I try to stock up on during this time of year are butter (you can freeze it), sugar, flour, condensed milk, chocolate chips (you can freeze them), nuts, dried fruit, etc. Take advantage of these sales and buy what you can at the rock bottom price each week so you will be ready to get cooking when Thanksgiving rolls around.
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Keep it Simple
I try to keep things simple whenever possible because it saves me money and reduces my stress levels. I know a lot of people go all out for Thanksgiving dinner with elaborate platters and dishes that take days to make, but if you’re on a budget that probably isn’t realistic for you.
To keep things pared down, simply pick a main course (turkey, ham) 3-4 sides (mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce), dinner rolls and 1-2 desserts (pumpkin pie, pecan pie) and you will be just fine.
Enlist Help
Most of the time, people want to pitch in and help, so let them! Some things that would be easy but a huge help to delegate would be drinks, paper napkins/utensils, desserts, rolls, etc. If people are traveling from out-of-town, then they will need to be able to bring a portable dish that can be made the day before, such as pies or dinner rolls.
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Natural Decor
Another great tip for finding decor on the cheap is to look to mother nature. Take a walk around your property or city park to find things like tree branches, pine cones, dried grass, berries, leaves, etc. for free. Or visit a local farm to purchase things like flowers, dried corn, pumpkins, or gourds to add a festive touch to your dinner party table.
Missy is a stay-at-home mom of two who has a heart for encouraging women to live a simple and Godly life. She shares her frugal and simple living tips over at Graceful Little Honey Bee.
