It’s your turn to host Thanksgiving, but you don’t have a lot of spare cash laying around. The gaggle of great aunts coming over isn’t going to accept canned beans and lunch meat…so what do you do??
Rest easy, friend, we’re here to help! You can still throw a terrific holiday party without taking out a second mortgage.
Here are Five Fast Facts on hosting Thanksgiving without breaking the bank:
- 👐 Crowd Source It - Asking your guests to bring a side dish or dessert can be a force multiplier! Especially with a bigger gathering, it’ll provide more than enough goodies for all of the big appetites, and you can focus on the main dish, a key side like mashed potatoes, and maybe one big dessert. Just make sure you know who’s bringing what so you don’t end up with seven bowls of that fake “cranberry sauce” and no dinner rolls. 😱
- 🍷 BYOB - If your crowd likes to booze it up, then make sure everyone knows to bring their own. Most will be happy to do that (you know, so there will be at least ONE good kind…), and probably bring some extra to share. This will come in particularly clutch if you’ve got an all day affair!
- 🦃 Creative Deco - A great host will decorate to match the occasion, but stick with one or two big arrangements with small accents rather than decking all of the halls. If you’ve got kids, put ‘em to work making DIY decorations that will be sure to provide “ooohs” and “aaahs.” You can also reuse basic stuff like wreaths and table garnishes from last year (no one will notice or care). You will have to plan ahead for that, but even if you start this year it can save you some bucks in the future.
- 💲 How ‘Bout That? - Just roll with us on this one. Dollar stores can be a gold mine when it comes to decorations and party gear! Tablecloths, candles, place cards, and much more can be found for dirt cheap. As long as you remove the tags and stickers before Granny Ethel takes a look, no one needs to know where you got them. Except for your wallet, but that’s a good thing.
- 😁 Make It An Event - Transform the meal from the only event to the main event in a fun-filled day! Organize some service at a local food pantry. Make a scavenger hunt or set up a game night - board games, puzzles, football, or any other traditions you might have (or start!) can help fill the hours in the day and leave your guests feeling super satisfied, not only in their bellies but also their hearts.
🔥Bottom line: It’s a great time to be with family and friends! Sure, it can be stressful, and sure, there may be some costs involved. But you can throw a great party without killing your budget if you apply a little ingenuity and creativity. And don’t forget to take a moment or two to be thankful for what you have!
What are you looking forward to most this Thanksgiving?
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