Planning Thanksgiving on a Budget
*Updated November 20, 2024*
As a blissfully single mom, I know how expensive planning a Thanksgiving dinner can be.
In fact, there are so many holidays that left me scratching my head. I wondered how I was going to make ends meet to give my boys beautiful Thanksgiving memories. While the cost to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner is down 5% from 2023, affording to put together a Thanksgiving menu together still takes money.
Furthermore, in looking at a looming Trump presidency and proposed tariffs, consumers maybe looking at unprecedented food costs in 2024.
Tips to Make Thanksgiving Affordable
Grocery Store Turkey Deals
During this time of year, many grocery stores are offering specials on turkeys. Many ask you to spend a certain dollar amount and in return you’ll get a turkey for free or at a reduced cost. Shoprite not only offers a free turkey, but you also have the option of purchasing a complete holiday meal at a significant discount. You can find a list grocery stores offering turkey deals here.
Free Turkey
One of my former employers used to gift us, the employees, a free turkey during Thanksgiving time. I cannot tell you how helpful that was during my financially leaner years. Those free turkeys made my Thanksgiving meals so much more affordable. Yet in still, there a lot of charitable organizations who provide turkey for those in need. Here in Atlanta, North Fulton Community Charities sponsors an annual turkey giveaway.
Seek Out Specials
Finding deals is key to managing the costs of a Thanksgiving dinner. Find and buy grocery items that are typically on sale during the month of November. Living on the Cheap’s blog has a list of items you can buy at a discount during the holiday season.
Seasonal Foods
Be strategic with your Thanksgiving menu and purchase seasonal foods or on sale items to help you get more for your money.
Keep Your Menu Simple
Simplify your menu by using ingredients that are already in your pantry. I’m sure you can make sweet Thanksgiving desserts with that flour and brown sugar you probably have in your kitchen cabinet.
Go Generic
Listen, don’t get cute. We’re trying to save money. That $3, eight-ounce bag of Kroger shredded cheddar cheese costs a whole dollar less than Sargento and tastes the same. You’d be surprised how much you save if you go with grocery store brands.
Rakuten (Ebates)
Bean, what?
No, I’m serious – Ebates (now known as Rakuten) gives you cash back on purchases made through major retailers on their website. Since joining Ebates, I’ve made hundreds of dollars back. If you join now and use Ebates to purchase items like Thanksgiving table decor, cookware – whatever you need; then by the time Thanksgiving comes around you’ve got a nice check you can cash out to easily put an amazing Thanksgiving meal together. You can sign up with Ebates for free using this link.
Budget Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes
Look for recipes that are light on the pockets. These are the Thanksgiving dishes that fill you without paying too much to prepare. The Food Network has a nice list of budget friendly recipes.
Potluck It
Instead of cooking a complete Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings, why not contribute a side dish to a family or friend already hosting? This way, you can still enjoy a Thanksgiving meal without putting too much money (or energy) into it.
Dine Out
I remember asking a friend of mine what he was doing one Thanksgiving and he answered that his family planned on eating out. At the time, I thought it was so strange. Who eats out on Thanksgiving?
Well, this year. With my oven being on the outs, I’ll need dine out for Thanksgiving. Depending on where you go, dining out may not only be a more cost-effective option, but it’s a lot less labor intensive for the person who typically prepares the Thanksgiving meal, and yes, that would be me.
The Blissfully Single Takeaway
During the holidays, there’s so much pressure to make it perfect and this gets costly. However, for Thanksgiving, there are ways to cut corners to make it an enjoyable one without spending too much money. This blissfully single girl has done it all. From free turkeys to eating Thanksgiving with my amazing family of cousins, I’m no stranger to making it work on very little.
What are some of the things you’ll be doing to keep Thanksgiving costs down? Drop a comment below.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Blissfully Single and Yours,
