ALT-1 Rethinking the Traditional Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Dinner on a Budget
Thanksgiving doesn’t need to be expensive, or elaborate. In fact, the holiday should be more about the family and less about extravagance. Those who cannot spend large amounts on elaborate ingredients, or are going to be cooking for only one or two people, have found numerous ways to have a Thanksgiving dinner without the high cost.One of the biggest expenses will, of course, be the turkey, or any other meat that you choose to serve. If you are having a dinner for two, or even four, people, you might choose to roast a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey. These are less expensive, and they will easily serve three or four, or more, people. For even smaller dinners, you can purchase smaller sections of turkey breast and drumsticks. For an even easier and more economical dinner for two or three, many restaurants and supermarkets feature entire Thanksgiving dinners to go, complete with turkey, sides, and pumpkin pie.Ingredients for most side dishes are inexpensive. They can be even more so if you shop at a wholesale or discount food store. If you can save twenty or thirty cents per can, or a dollar or more on fresh produce, the savings quickly adds up.Most family dinners traditionally involve other family members contributions to the dinner menu. With everyone contributing something to the dinner, you not only cut costs, you have a more diverse and interesting assortment of goodies.Homemade is wonderful, but it isn’t always necessary. Dinner rolls, and pies take time and cost money to make and bake. Most stores at this time of year, offer specials on bake and serve rolls and pies, that make serving them much more affordable.Use what you have around the house when it comes to decorating for your Thanksgiving dinner. It isn’t necessary to go all out when getting ready for this family dinner. With a little thought, you can create an attractive table setting with what you already have. If you need some extra decorative touches, discount and dollar stores are the place to find items that won’t break your budget. Get the family involved in creating some homemade crafts projects for your table.In the long run, Thanksgiving is the time for the family to get together, and be grateful for what they have, not to overextend the budget. It should really be all about the family, not the amount spent.
