Holiday meals are a great time for connection and quality time with family and friends, but sometimes a big family meal can put a strain on your monthly food budget. We are all acutely aware of the inflated prices at the grocery store and this year might be a time when you’re feeling financially stressed by hosting a holiday meal.
I reached out to our friends over at YNAB for some of their tips for saving money on big holiday meals and got five great tips from Sarah, the Social Media Manager for YNAB!
Sarah’s Tip: Take Stock Before You Shop.
Do an ingredient inventory ahead of time. Dig through your pantry and freezer to see what you’ve already got. You might be surprised at how many cans of green beans, pumpkin, or cranberry sauce are lurking in the back of your cupboard.
Shopping at home is great for finding a stray can of pumpkin or a frozen bag of cranberries, but also super helpful for double-checking your spice cupboard! Purchasing holiday spices you already have at home can add up. It also gives you a chance to see if any of your less-used spices are several years old and need to be tossed and refreshed.
Sarah’s Tip: Try a Non-Traditional Meal.
This can be a fun twist, especially if everyone’s on board! One year, we ditched the turkey and made a big batch of chili with a charcuterie board of all the fixings. It ended up being one of our most memorable holiday meals ever.
In an upcoming episode of The Plan to Eat Podcast, Kiersten Saunders of rich & REGULAR echoed a similar sentiment to Sarah – go unconventional! If the point of the holiday gathering is to spend time with friends and family, then it doesn’t matter if the meal is traditional or not. Buck the system and make something familiar and simple. You can save money and potentially a lot of time spent cooking.
Sarah’s Tip: Plan Ahead and Shop Smart.
Create your meal plan and ingredient list well in advance. This way, you can scout for sales and stock up on non-perishables in the weeks leading up to the holiday. And when you’re in the store, try to stick to the list as best as you can!
If you’re making your typical spread, then chances are you can already create your holiday meal plan and start shopping early. As Sarah mentions, you can buy items in advance to disburse your spending over several weeks, and look for sales related to holiday meals. Often items related to a specific holiday will go on sale the week of to clear out remaining inventory.
You can also plan ahead for your next holiday gathering now! Take advantage of sales after Thanksgiving to stock up on items you will need for any big meals you’re hosting in December.
Sarah’s Tip: Make It a Team Effort.
Get the family and friends involved by splitting up the menu. Everyone brings a dish, saving you time, money, and energy, while giving everyone a chance to contribute to the feast.
Asking others to contribute to a big meal shares the financial burden, and also the time spent cooking and shopping. You may be a host who likes to do it all, but if you’re struggling to provide for everyone or you’re strapped for time, make it a collaborative effort! A potluck-style meal also gives your guests a chance to share something from their family or culture with others and that can be a great way to connect.
Sarah’s Tip: Give Every Dollar a Job.
Decide how much you want to spend on holiday food, and plan out where the rest of your money will go. By assigning your dollars to specific priorities, you’ll be more intentional with your spending—and less likely to overspend on the meal. But be sure to build in a bit of flexibility and breathing room for some festive treats here and there!
You can plan out your holiday meal budget and all your other expenses with a tool like YNAB! The first rule of YNAB is to give every dollar a job, so you have a plan for how you will spend your money and can make intentional choices.
We hope you have a happy holiday season!
P.S. If you’re really feeling pressed on finances this holiday season, Aldi just announced its Thanksgiving basket is only $47 and enough food for 10 people! Find US locations here.
