Thanksgiving is supposed to be a day when we get together with friends and family to express gratitude and catch up, but hosting or attending a large gathering can be anxiety-provoking. Let’s face it, there’s a lot to do before we sit down to dinner! These 10 tips will almost guarantee you a stress-free Thanksgiving. Best of all, they’ll save you money!
- Don’t Attend Pre-Holiday Parties – There will be a lot of parties and get-togethers during this time, but you don’t have to attend them all to get in the holiday spirit. Attend a few important events like the company Thanksgiving potluck or your child’s school Thanksgiving lunch and leave the rest. Not only will you save money on gifts for the hostess, but you’ll also have more time to plan Thanksgiving dinner. You can do it next year!
- make plans – start planning early! Prepare your menu, make a list of what you need to eat, and start looking for specialties. Don’t wait too long to shop. Many specials sell out quickly. Also, evaluate your kitchen and make sure you have all the tools you need. You don’t want to realize on Thanksgiving Day that you miss your skillet!
- decorate on a budget – You can decorate your home with these easy dollar tree diy’s. Make it easy and decorate with artwork your kids have from school and/or free printables. Don’t forget to use your Halloween pumpkins as Thanksgiving decorations.
- delegate tasks – Have friends and family help with side dishes, desserts and drinks. It’s one less thing for you to do and keeps costs down. Most guests like to stay busy and helpful, so don’t be afraid to give them tasks when they arrive.
- Buy Cheap Wine – Unless you have a family of wine tasting enthusiasts, there’s no need to spend a lot of money on wine. There are plenty of quality wines at Trader Joe ‘s, Costco, and even your local wine store. Don’t drink cocktails at all.
- don’t sit around – On the other hand, you could host an appetizer and cocktail party instead of a full Thanksgiving dinner! Appetizers are cheaper than preparing a meal, and making a signature drink keeps costs down.
- be honest with the sleepovers – Many times the stress comes from having to babysit relatives at home. Be clear with them about whether they can stay with you and for how long. The longer they stay, the heavier your bill will be (assuming they don’t help while you’re out). If you want them to know they can’t stay with you, be very tactful. Avoid stirring up trouble.
- Encourage connection – Plan inexpensive activities that will help people connect. This can be as simple as letting them go to the park while you cook (it may be just me, but I get nervous when there are a lot of people in the kitchen while I’m cooking). You could also let them watch a parade or play soccer.
- take a head count – knowing how many people to expect will help you figure out how much food to buy. It will also keep you from spending extra money. Sure, leftovers are great, but not when they go bad.
- stay calm – don’t forget what Thanksgiving is all about! Simply thinking back on what you’re thankful for will help reduce stress without making you dump money on expensive massage therapy. You may be the only one who notices those extra details that you consider essential.
