The following post is by MPFJ staff writer, Laurie Blank. Laurie is a wife, mother to 4 and homesteader who blogs about personal finance, self-sufficiency and life in general over at The Frugal Farmer. Part witty, part introspective and part silly, her goal in blogging is to help others find their way to financial freedom and to a simpler, more peaceful life.
It’s that time of the year again. The food and wine are flowing and people everywhere are gathering for merriment and gift-giving. The holidays can be a real budget-crusher if you let them. There are gift lists, holiday clothes shopping and of course, parties to be given.
If you’re one that likes to host holiday gatherings you might be freaking out about what your entertaining expenses are going to do to your budget, but there are ways to entertain frugally. Check out these tips.
Keep Alcohol Purchases to a Minimum
Alcohol costs are a huge part of holiday entertainment costs and the expenses can add up quickly. You can save on alcohol costs for holiday meals a couple of ways.
The first choice is to throw a BYOB meal and provide only soda and mixers for guests. The second option is to have only a few bottles of inexpensive wines and/or beers served at your holiday party. Beer and wine vendors often promote specials on prices during the holiday season, and there are many small-time beer and wine producers that have great products but charge lower prices due to the fact that they’re still so little-known. By looking for that diamond in the rough you can get a good wine or beer for cheap.
Allow Your Guests to Share in the Meal Choices
Guests love being able to contribute to meals at parties and family gatherings. Simply write “bring your favorite appetizer/side dish/dessert to share” on invitations and let everyone have a hand in creating a bountiful holiday feast. If you’re not comfortable requiring guests to share in the meal prep, be sure to say “yes” to anyone who asks you if they can bring anything.
Avoid Expensive Menu Items
Don’t serve prime rib roast for $10 a pound when you can serve turkey or ham for a buck a pound. Don’t buy a cake from the high-priced bakery down the road when the warehouse clubs have them for half the price. With a little creativity, you can put together a wonderful meal without spending too much.
Shop the Sales
There are a number of food products that always go on sale during the holiday season. Some include:
- Meats such as ham, turkey and prime rib roast
- Baking items such as flour, sugar and butter
- Side dish items such as potatoes, rolls and breads, vegetables and canned pie filling
If you’re serving a holiday meal, make your menu plan early and start checking your local grocer ads in the first week of October, buying early when possible if you can get something on sale. Remember that canned goods and other processed foods last for many months, and that many other items such as meats and breads can often be frozen for later use.
Also, don’t be afraid to go generic. Many generic items are simply name-brand items repackaged in different packaging, but you might want to do a trial taste-test run if you’re concerned about quality and/or taste.
For instance, Aldi sells a variety cracker pack that tastes nearly identical to the similar name-brand pack, but there are other generic items we won’t touch – such as generic macaroni and cheese – because the quality sacrifice just isn’t worth it.
When you’re shopping for list items, pay attention to the sales and the generic brands and save money when it doesn’t sacrifice quality.
Cook From Scratch
There is SO much money to be saved when cooking from scratch instead of buying menu items already prepared. Look online or ask friends for recipes for desserts and appetizers. Make your own stuffing and homemade mashed potatoes instead of using the boxed stuff. Put together your own cheese/cracker/meat trays and your own veggie trays instead of buying the pre-prepared ones from the store deli. Your meal will taste better, be healthier and you’ll save money in the process.
Decorate Thoughtfully
Decorating for holiday parties can be a huge expense if you’re not careful. Instead of decking the house out with oodles of flower arrangements and other expensive décor, simply use a few well-placed decorations to make the house feel special. Here are some ideas:
- Find décor at shops such as Michael’s and Joann Etc., but be sure to use their 40-50% off coupons
- Focus on decorating the tables with colored napkins and homemade place cards
- Get one or two silk flower arrangements to brighten up the dining or buffet table and the great room, provided you can find a great sale or find them for sale on eBay or Craigslist
- Add small, inexpensive touches such as themed salt and pepper shakers from Walmart
With a little forethought and planning, hosting a holiday meal can be an awesome experience that doesn’t break the bank.
How about you all? What is your favorite frugal holiday meal hosting tip?
Share your experiences by commenting below!
***Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/55935853@N00/5882056608/in/
