ALT-1 Cheap Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving
In the United States, there any many families suffering from the effects of inflation, and who may worry about providing their family with a Thanksgiving to remember. Pride often dictates that a certain standard is upheld, although it's worthwhile remembering that whole communities suffer from the same worries, and that you are not alone. Possibly those people visiting for Thanksgiving are also worried about expenses and there are ways to overcome the difficulties and to share resources, making the whole celebration one that embraces the whole concept of Thanksgiving by making Thanksgiving a time of thanks, even when the budget is tight.
Finding out about neighbors and friends.
If you are suffering lack of funds, chances are that others are as well. Talk with the family and with friends about your worries. Sharing things makes things easier. Contrary to popular belief, family and friends won't look down on you for admitting that you are worried, but will embrace the chance to help out. Even gathering resources for a joint Thanksgiving can spread the cost between different families within a community, allowing each to use their strong points to contribute. For example, one family may provide the turkey, while others provide fresh vegetables and all the things which contribute to the dinner.
The way this helps with the celebration is twofold. It lets neighbors and friends know they are needed, but also makes them feel like they are part of the whole celebration. When you hold hands around the table in prayer, the prayers will be from a whole group in unison, which really does celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving. There will always be inequality, and by sharing the celebration, everyone gets a chance to help out, and people generally enjoy this element of the celebration more than just being takers.
Shop early to get bargains.
It's wise to hit the shops early. Even though last minute bargains can be had, the problem with this is that it may mean that depending upon bargains may leave you short of items which are essential. If you spread the shop in the months that come up to Thanksgiving, what you are in effect doing is lessening the expense during that one month that everyone struggles with.
Late bargains.
The late bargain area should be left for extras, and those things which really won't be missed that much if they aren't provided. If you find you have a little money leftover from the budget, this time can be used to bag bargains which make extra treats.
Gather together for a cook in.
Making and preparing food yourself is always cheaper, but advantage can be gained by inviting people within your dinner guest list who have specialties. The cooking part of the Thanksgiving celebration can be a fun challenge, taking things back to basics, instead of relying upon the supermarkets to provide ready made food. Not only is it cheaper, but it's healthier as well. The tradition of getting together to make the dinner is one that your friends and family will delight in and which takes the stress off one person in particular.
Involving the children.
You don't need fancy shop bought decorations. Get the kids to make table centers, and instead of buying a fancy table cloth, try dyeing a sheet into a celebration color. This will act as a suitable table covering for years to come. The children love to be part of the celebration, and it doesn't have to cost money to make table centers and decorations. A simple walk in the woods can provide all the natural raw materials needed, and the kids can add their bit of imagination to the creation of center pieces which will be special.
Remember the poor.
If you live in an area where old people live alone, or where there are people suffering greater hardship than you, remember what Thanksgiving is about. It doesn't cost any more to provide one extra plate of food, and by having plenty of vegetables, this can easily be achieved within even the tightest of budgets. Vegetables are very filling and nourishing and will make up for any shortfall in meat.
Rely upon what you have rather than what you can borrow.
The problem with buying Thanksgiving items on credit is that they cause even more debt. Rather than being tempted to spend money you don't have, get the family together to come up with ideas which won't cost the earth, but which produce a memorable Thanksgiving celebration. The ideas gathered also help the family and friends to work together in making Thanksgiving a success. At the end of the day, the thanks should be for blessings you have, rather than ones which you haven't yet paid for. It isn't about quantity. It certainly isn't about how much you spend, but it is about sharing those blessings with people who matter.
The potluck taken a step further.
Potluck meals are a little hit and miss, though if you talk to everyone who is coming, and decide in advance who will provide what, they become a better solution for Thanksgiving, without the worry of whether there will be enough to go around. Friends and neighbors love to respond to a joint effort, and this shares the expense out among many. If you have a kitchen large enough for all to work together in the preparation, this also adds an ambiance of togetherness which makes the celebration even more enjoyable.
Gathering around the table.
The most frugal of Thanksgiving dinners is gratefully received by all friends and family, as it's not about the food. Food plays a very small part in the celebration, and even when you watch television programs reminiscent of the past, such as Little House on the Prairie or The Waltons, what stands out isn't the offering given to those friends, but the experience shared. It's certainly not something to worry about, as those friends and family who are genuine in their feelings toward you won't judge the celebration by the expense lavished.
It's about sharing, and about being grateful, no matter how small the offering. That's where the genuine nature of Thanksgiving begins and ends, and as you hold hands around the table, it's the care taken rather than the expense of the meal that sets Thanksgiving apart from other get-togethers.
