Christmas is just around the corner. If you’re like most Americans, you’re stressed out. More than ever it would appear budgets are being stretched wider as most of us are in debt and struggling to keep up with the bills. That’s why when the holidays roll around, the choices we’re forced to make grow even more difficult.
How do we put together a family holiday, make memories, and do so with a reasonable budget? Well, the answers are out there if you’re willing to look. You’ll have to make the conscious decision to save money and cut corners. Don’t worry, you can still have a great Christmas without skimping on quality.
One of those areas involves the Christmas feast. If you’re hosting this year, you don’t have to break the bank. Here are 7 ways you can save money without compromising on quality:
1) Buy a Larger Bird
This might sound strange, but if you’re strategizing the best way to save money, why not buy the larger bird? Yes, larger birds are more expensive but don’t forget the leftover effect. Who doesn’t love having a bit of extra turkey to munch on for days after the holiday? Buying a larger bird is a few bucks more, but provides for multiple birds.
Of course, if this is not an expense you want to deal with, get the smaller bird. You can more than make up for the serving sizes of much cheaper and more filling carbs. Load up on the stuffing and potatoes, but ration the bird. Either way, look at pros and cons of each bird size outside of the cost.
2) Make Sure to Plan Christmas Dinner Ahead of Time
To make Christmas dinner a success, you’ll have to plan and prepare. No, not a few days ahead of time, but perhaps weeks. Throughout the month of December, there are numerous sales and deals out there. Keep an eye on the circulars. Clip coupons. Get on social networks and find out the prices from friends and family.
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Whatever you do, don’t wait. The longer you wait and the closer you get to Christmas, the more expensive things will get. The law of supply and demand is always in effect. Deals will be in place when they have an abundance of staples. When most people have done their shopping and supplies dwindle, they get more expensive.
3) Make Your Own Stuff
It may seem tempting to buy pre-made stuff, like appetizers, gravy, and desserts. The reality is, it’s much cheaper to make your own. And it will most likely taste better too. Homemade desserts are the best and they make your home smell wonderful. That’s great for getting into the Christmas spirit!
4) Buy Fresh Fruits and Veggies
This sort of goes along with point #3. The rule of budget shopping involves you buying and cutting fresh foods yourself. If you buy a packaged fruit plate, already cut, it’s going to be more expensive. You’re also paying for the labor. Also, don’t buy pre-packaged frozen veggies. Flavor is a factor, but so is the price. The ‘convenience factor’ often makes them more expensive.
5) Potluck Anyone?
Usually, on Christmas, the host makes a dinner. It’s a similar tradition to Thanksgiving. Thankfully, people love to contribute. There’s no foul in asking others to bring a dish to pass. You know those who wouldn’t mind doing so. Asking for help isn’t a bad thing to do. Maybe even sharing the fiscal responsibility with a sibling or parent who can chip in.
6) BYOB
If you don’t feel comfortable asking others to bring a dish to pass, what about beverages? It’s one less expense you’re worried about if someone else can supply the beverages. In fact, multiple guests can bring something. Wine, soda, milk, beer, or whatever the family enjoys. This can be a large expense that’s taken care of by others.
7) Do Something Different
There are times when a host gets sick of always having ham or turkey for a holiday dinner. This Christmas, why not consider something a bit riskier? Like, how about taco night? BBQ? Perhaps there’s another protein undergoing a major price drop and you grab that instead? Don’t be afraid to color outside the lines if you need to.
