Trim the Cost of the Holiday Meal
by Kim Danger
This year, the American Farm Bureau Federation
estimates the cost of the average turkey dinner for ten will cost
$44.61, which is up 5.6 percent over last year. Even with the cost
of groceries on the rise, it is still possible to put on an elegant
spread for $30 or less. Armed with some savvy shopping techniques,
here’s how to can trim even more off the cost while still creating
an elegant meal:
Take Advantage of Supermarket Turkey
Promotions
This time of year, grocery stores compete for
your business more than ever. Many offer turkey as loss leaders or
promotions such as spend $50 get a free turkey. Be sure to take
advantage of these deals to maximize savings. With the money you’re
saving, buy a big turkey and freeze the leftovers or buy a second
bird. Turkey is an inexpensive source of protein and is extremely
flexible for use in casseroles, soups, and stews on cold winter
nights, so be sure to stock up!
Do It Yourself
Instead of paying over two dollars for dried
bread cubes for stuffing, make your own. Simply take the ends of
your bread loaves and lightly toast them or dry them on a cookie
sheet over a few days. Cut them into cubes and you’re good to go.
You don’t have to be Betty Crocker to make pie either. If you’re
not up to the task of making pie crust, buy a pre-made pie shell and
make the filling. Making your own whipped cream isn’t hard either.
Check out YouTube for instructional videos on how to master these
techniques.
Be Flexible with Menu Choices
This time of year, supermarkets have a surplus
of bargains designed for the holiday meal. Let the sales guide your
menu choices, which may mean serving yams instead of mashed potatoes
or peas instead of green beans. Use the opportunity to try a new
recipe and impress your guests. Thinking outside the box can open
up a whole new world of possibilities for the ingredients that are
readily available. Plus, you just may discover a favorite new dish!
Plan Ahead
Certain things can be purchased ahead of time
such as frozen vegetables, canned goods, and refrigerated dough.
Plan your menu well in advance of the meal so that you can keep an
eye out for the best deals. Use a price book (in most cases, a
small spiral-bound notebook you keep in your purse) to track grocery
prices over time and stock up when you see a bargain.
Use Coupons
Be sure to scout out manufacturer’s coupons
before hitting the store. To really maximize savings, look for
in-store sales to use in conjunction with your coupons. You don’t
have to clip Sunday coupons, either. Look for them on coupon sites
like
coupons.com or on manufacturer websites as well. Sites to check
out:
Pillsbury
Betty Crocker
Birdseye
Accept Help
Since guests are most likely going to ask what
they can bring anyway, don’t refuse their offers to help! Not only
will it ease your financial burden, you’ll have more time to spend
visiting with friends and family on Thanksgiving Day. Often the
easiest things for you to delegate are the appetizers and wine.
Set the Mood
Don’t go overboard decorating. Instead of
buying expensive table settings and centerpieces use what you have
at home and what’s available in your own back yard. Greens,
branches and foliage from your own shrubs and trees look great in a
vase. Or, place a few beautifully colored fall leaves in a frame
and use inexpensive cardstock in fall colors as a background.
Setting the stage for a relaxing party often includes music and
candles. If your CD collection doesn’t include the right kind of
music, visit your local library. If you don’t see anything on the
shelves, request certain titles with holds and inter-library
loans. Candles also create a cozy atmosphere, and don’t have to
cost a lot. Dollar stores regularly stock an ample supply of
candles and accessories.
Don’t Forget the Spirit of the Season
Create “thankful” paper chains. Use
construction paper in yellow, orange, red and brown for a festive
decoration. Ask the kids to write things they are thankful on each
loop of the chain before it is put together. You can have your
guests also contribute to the chain.
Volunteer to help with a local charity. Thanksgiving day itself is
often very busy with volunteers, so consider creating the tradition
of going the day after Thanksgiving instead of shopping, or
volunteer earlier in the month.
Source:
http://www.fb.org/index.php?fuseaction=newsroom.newsfocus&year=2008&file=nr1113.html
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