Thanksgiving is a holiday where you wake up early to cook, spend time with family, reflect on what you’re thankful for and – of course – overeat. However, you may want to take time to appreciate your friends too. If you’re looking for an excuse to bring everyone together safely, you can host a Friendsgiving dinner. Remember to practice CDC safety guidelines for your gathering. Hosting a dinner doesn’t mean you have to overspend. Here are some ways to save big during the holiday feast:
Host a Potluck Dinner
If you want to provide the main dish, ask everyone to bring a side or dessert. Make sure you are specific with food assignments – that way there aren’t any duplicate dishes.
Toss the Turkey
Get a rotisserie chicken or baked ham instead of a turkey. Not only will you save big bucks, but you’ll save oven space and time in the kitchen too.
Dessert on a Dime
If you want to make a dessert, try something like pumpkin pudding or boxed brownies. Fewer ingredients means more money in your pocket.
Budget Buffet
Serve the meal buffet style. Avoid the cost of decorative plating and arrangement by having people walk down the line of food to load up their plate – food is all people care about on Thanksgiving, after all. Note that people should wear face masks when serving themselves to remain safe.
BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair)
If you invited friends, but don’t have enough seats, ask guests to bring a foldable chair. This will save you space, stress and money.
Same Rolls, Different Day
Not everything has to be homemade. Find some day-old rolls at the store or bakery (old equals cheap), butter them up and throw them in the oven. The rolls will still taste fresh, and no one will be able to tell the difference.
Discount Decorations
Decorations make every gathering fun and festive, but they don’t always fit into the budget. Go to the dollar store for some plastic table cloths and Thanksgiving knickknacks. As long as everything is fall-colored, the dinner will feel festive. Regardless of how much you spend or save, just remember that Friendsgiving is about spending quality time together. Remember to practice CDC safety guidelines for your gathering. Happy eating!