Families who have especially large holiday
gatherings feel the most financial strain when it comes to preparation for a
great meal. Taking into consideration that those in your family might have
different tastes is an important aspect of getting ready for this day. Here
are some tips to help trim the budget without sacrificing your delicious dinner.
Determine
your menu Find out what your guests’ food preferences are. Many people are more
interested in eating side dishes (read: stuffing!). While a turkey is a common
staple to most Thanksgiving meals, consider other protein options such as ham
or chicken – which are less expensive. Also, look for generic ingredients for
your dinner instead of brand names.
Consider
a casserole Casseroles cost much less than standard
Thanksgiving items. For example, green bean casserole is inexpensive, easy to
make and a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Another tip: buy your ingredients early
and freeze them before Thanksgiving. This is a good strategy because the costs
associated with Thanksgiving dishes tend to increase once the holiday comes
closer. You save money by buying early, and will be prepared and not in a rushing
looking for common items that may be out of stock closer to the dinner
Have the
guest BYOS It is not out of line to require your guests to
bring their own something. Be specific about the things you would like your
guests to bring and take the guesswork out of it for them. Save money and time
this way. This will free up the time you
need to prepare the foods you are serving properly – probably resulting in a
better meal. Most friends would love to bring something – it gives them a sense of
satisfaction to contribute.
About the
Author: Tina Samuels writes on online
reputation management, social
media, small business, and marketing.
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