October has finally arrived and that means that the holiday shopping season will soon be upon us! The shopping season has started off strong and things will only be ramping up as we get closer to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. However, there are quite a few stores that have decided to keep their doors closed on these major shopping holidays. This means that they will be opting out of the sales and crowds that we have gotten so accustomed to during Black Friday sales.
Gobble gobble – great news for all you turkey fans out there. According to recent studies, the price tag for the average Thanksgiving dinner is at its lowest since 2010. Thanks to a plentiful supply, costs for turkey are at just $1.36 on average per pound. And, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the total average cost for a dinner for ten this year is just $48.90, less than $5 per person. And, if you’re looking to stretch your savings beyond that, we’ve got some tips for you.
If you’re hosting a sizeable crowd, mixing things up a little and going for a potluck style is a great way to increase your savings, and add some fun at the same time. Ask your guests to bring a dish in a specific category, and let them choose their favorite. Over the meal, you can even trade stories on the history of their dish. Another great perk to the potluck theme is that you’ll not only be saving money, you’ll also be gaining back some time that you’d otherwise be spending in the kitchen. And isn’t spending more time with friends and family really what Thanksgiving is all about?
There are approximately 60 confirmed retailers that are planning on keeping their doors closed on this holiday. It's suspected that these brands are forgoing in-person shopping to rely more heavily on online shopping, which has become increasingly popular in recent years. This year, there are a few bigger names that will also be participating in store closures including IKEA, Costco, Sam's Club, Lowe's, Nordstrom, Marshalls, Dress Barn, and more. While many middle-tier retailers are closing their doors, you can expect almost all of them to be available for online shopping deals and Cyber Monday sales. That means you can skip the in-person crowds and instead opt for online shopping to find all of the best deals from every retailer.
If you’re hosting a sizeable crowd, mixing things up a little and going for a potluck style is a great way to increase your savings, and add some fun at the same time. Ask your guests to bring a dish in a specific category, and let them choose their favorite. Over the meal, you can even trade stories on the history of their dish. Another great perk to the potluck theme is that you’ll not only be saving money, you’ll also be gaining back some time that you’d otherwise be spending in the kitchen. And isn’t spending more time with friends and family really what Thanksgiving is all about?
Take Inventory: if it’s a Dish that No One Eats, Don’t Make it Again Just because you’ve always make green been casserole, if it tends to go relatively untouched, do yourself a favor and nix it from this year’s menu. You’ll be doing your wallet a favor, and it’s not likely to be missed. Likewise, if there are dishes that everyone loves, make double the amount and you’ll have leftovers for days, giving you more bang for your buck.
Go Vegetarian Since veggies are generally cheaper than meats, why not get creative with a purely vegetable based celebration? Opt for a Korean, Indian, or Thai theme, and have fun with making some tasty dishes that may just become regular staples at your Thanksgiving table. Delicious and inexpensive? Win win!
Boxed Wine: Your New BFF Adult beverages can really add up price-wise. If your guests are wine lovers, boxed wine is a fantastic way to save without sacrificing on quality. Consider that boxed wine is generally the equivalent of about 4 bottles of wine, and is on average $20. $5 per bottle of wine? Yes please!
Plan Ahead Start looking for deals on ingredients ahead of time, and freeze anything perishable. Taking it little by little can translate into big savings for you, and a considerably less stressful event.
Lastly, keep things simple. Thanksgiving need not be stressful – remember, the important thing is time together, and giving thanks for all that we have. And of course, pie.