Planning a holiday meal, but money is tight this year? We’re sharing 10 Ways To Save Money on Holiday Meals. By planning ahead, thinking creatively, and taking different approach to the usual, these ideas can help stretch your grocery budget.
10 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON HOLIDAY MEALS
Shopping List: Refuse to do your holiday meal shopping without a list. Do a careful inventory of your groceries at home and write down everything you will need for the meal – including amounts in some cases. Stick to your list and avoid tempting displays for items you don’t have on your list.
Shop The Sales: Before the holidays grocery store chains will have tons of great deals on everything from your turkey to the sweet potatoes and yams you serve alongside them. Even consider shopping multiple stores — plan a shopping route and pick up the best deals at each store.
Watch the Unit Price: If you don’t already pay attention to the “per ounce” or “per pound” unit price on shelf price tags, now is the time to start. Most stores will tell you right on the shelf tag how much the item is per ounce, pound, or item. Compare different brands and sizes and you might surprised that a name brand or even smaller package size is the best deal.
Use Coupons: For those items and ingredients you must have for your desserts and side dishes, make sure to check out the coupons available in your newspaper or online to print. There are tons of great seasonal coupons out there to be used.
Go Potluck: Invite friends and family to a potluck dinner instead of the traditional meal. Offer to provide the main entree (turkey or ham), and a dessert or drinks. Let everyone else sign up to bring other dishes to complete the meal.
Cook From Scratch: Skip the meal kits, packaged pies and cakes and cook from scratch. Most ready made foods are more expensive than what you could make in your own home kitchen from scratch.
Consider New Traditions: While stores, advertisements, and the media might have you thinking everyone cooks the same thing for all the big holiday meals, not everyone does. Search online for other holiday meal traditions that might be fun to try and compare the cost of those meals to what you typically make. Food bars, like a baked potato bar or a chili bar, can be an inexpensive and fun option. Homemade soup and bread for Christmas Eve can be a cherished family tradition, but not cost much.
Serve Buffet Style: Buffets often make you feel like there is more food than is actually there. Rather than covering your table with food, spread the food out in buffet style and offer up lots of filler items like veggie trays, rolls and appetizer bites that are inexpensive and filling.
Load Up On Inexpensive Sides: Mashed potatoes, green beans and hot rolls are some of the most inexpensive sides out there. Everyone loves them and expects them on your holiday table. Skip the more expensive side dishes, like asparagus or brussels sprouts, and go with options that cost less per serving.
Make Your Own Centerpiece & Place Settings: No need for fancy decorations. Get the kids involved and make simple inexpensive centerpieces and place settings. Burlap is a great fall seasonal décor item and very inexpensive to buy. Use it for table runners, place settings and more!
Let this holiday season be about enjoying your family and friends and less about the meal you put out to eat. These ways to save money on your holiday meals will help stretch your budget while still providing everyone with a meal fit for a king.
There are lots of other ways to save on holiday meals — leave a comment below and share your best tip!
Leave a Reply