By Galtime's Kristen Hagopian, Author Brilliant Frugal Living
Save money on your feast this Thanskgiving! How to save money on your Thanksgiving celebration
Greetings, fellow frugal fans! Now that my cupboards are stuffed with Halloween candy (purchased at a delicious 75 percent off), it's time to begin preparations for one of my favorite holidays - Thanksgiving.
I've been hearing lots of talk from people who are used to spending $250 or more for a table of eight at Thanksgiving. With food costs on the perpetual rise, the cost of entertaining during the holidays can get expensive. The good news is that Turkey Day doesn't have to be a budget buster, especially when you follow these three simple tricks on how to host a fabulous feast for less.
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1. Turkey: Turkey prices can go upward of $1.69 a pound or more, depending on the brand name and grocery retailer. Do yourself a favor and procrastinate with purpose! Purchase your turkey from a big retailer less than a week before Thanksgiving, when turkey prices are drastically reduced as "loss leaders" designed to bring you through their automatic doors. You'll enjoy the best brand name turkeys, easily for $0.89 a pound!
2. Side dishes and desserts: At my house, Thanksgiving is all about bringing on the carbs! Rice pilafs, bread stuffings, crescent rolls - oh my! If you're looking to create your very own carbohydrate nirvana for less, hit up your local discount grocery to stock up on all the side dishes and desserts your family loves for half the price of retail.
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3. The extras: Decorations, flowers, wine - there's no doubt that the extras can really add up. With all of your visitors wanting to contribute to the Thanksgiving festivities, allow them to lend their perfect holiday touches by way of hostess gifts. When guests ask, "What can I bring?" Be specific. Have your flower-loving friend handle the centerpiece and your wine expert brother-in-law take care of libations. In no time you'll see your costs for extras disappear!
Above all else, remember that this fantastic holiday is all about the faces around your table and the many blessings to be thankful for. Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!
More from GalTime.com:
- Top 7 Ways to Keep the Happy in the Holidays
- Got Thanksgiving Leftovers? Make A Beauty Mask!
- Big Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas on a Small Budget
- Getting Crafty At Home for the Holidays
