6 Ways To Save Time and Money on Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It doesn't have the hustle and bustle that Christmas has. Plus, it isn't so commercialized the way Easter or Halloween is. It's just a nice relaxing holiday without a lot of cost. Unless of course, you are in charge of Thanksgiving dinner.

But, it doesn't have to be chaotic, even if you are hosting dinner. Check out these 6 ways to save time and money on Thanksgiving dinner.

Have a Potluck

Probably the easiest way to save time and money is to have everyone bring a dish. Have the host take care of the turkey and everyone else can bring a side or dessert. Make sure you coordinate what everyone is bringing so you don't end up with 5 servings of mashed potatoes and gravy.

Use The Crock Pot

There are so many crock pot recipes to keep you out of the kitchen. You can make crock pot mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole and more. Need some inspiration? Check out pinterest for some great Thanksgiving crock pot dishes.

Plan Ahead

Don't wait until the night before. Plan your meal weeks in advance and try to get some things that you need each week when you do your regular grocery shopping. By buying a little at a time you can spread out the cost over several weeks instead of just one. Plus, if you shop ahead of time you can avoid the Thanksgiving crowds at the store.

Shop The Sales

The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving are my favorite times to stock up on foods. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are so cheap. There are lots of canned food sales too. Shop around at a couple of stores to make sure you get the best deals. Some stores even offer a free turkey if you spend $50 or more.

Cook From Scratch

Those pre-cooked meals at the store may look tempting, but the prices are usually outrageous. It's much cheaper to cook from scratch. Even the items like pre-made mashed potatoes are way overpriced. You can save a lot of money by making your own at home.

Skip The Decorations

Don't spend your time and money decorating the house. If you do want to decorate, some try using pumpkins that are leftover from Halloween or leaves that you can get from your yard. If you have kids let them do some decorating. When my son was younger, he always came home with a simple table decoration from school.

With some planning ahead you can keep the time and the cost to a minimum on Thanksgiving Day. You can sit back and relax with your family, and be thankful. What tips do you have for Thanksgiving dinner?