Host A Budget-Friendly Thanksgiving

It’s almost Thanksgiving. The air is crisp, football games and holiday movies are on TV, and your Thanksgiving menu is set. Seems like nothing really changes from year to year – until you check-out at the grocery store. But don’t fret! Hosting Thanksgiving can be budget-friendly and fun for everyone! Here are a few simple things you can do.  

Set Your Budget    
Determine how much you can afford to spend – and stick to it. Start with your menu and calculate all the costs: Appetizers, beverages, side dishes, turkey, other dietary needs or substitutes, and desserts. How many people are coming, and how many are children? Do you want leftovers? Not everyone wants to ‘gobble ‘til they wobble!’ 

Sharing is Caring
Ask each person, or couple, to bring one item. Friends may even have a special family recipe or a traditional dish they’d love to make and share with everyone. Out-of-towners may want to send flowers or an arrangement for the table. Whatever works best.

Shop Early
Keep your eye out for items that retailers and grocers put on sale early. These can include beverages, paper towels, napkins, table clothes, dish soap, or household essentials. For food items, buy and freeze what you can, refrigerate other items and put non-perishables in your cabinet so you won’t have to dash out at the last minute!  

Personal Décor Store
Your home can be your décor store! Look around your house and use things you have already. Do you have fall-colored bowls, hand towels or candles? If you’re a parent with small children, did they make something at school that you can display? Or, if you live in an area of the country where there are pinecones, pick some up and take them home to decorate. Put them in a bowl and wrap ribbon around the base. Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive.

Turn Down the Heat – Turn Up the Senses
One of many treasures of hosting Turkey Day is that your house is filled with warmth. There’s warmth from the oven, maybe even from a fireplace, and definitely from the warmth of being surrounded by family and friends. So, turn down the thermostat and turn up the natural warmth of your home.  

Making HOME Memories
Hosting Thanksgiving is about gathering family and friends together, sharing memories, and creating new ones. Whether yours is budget-friendly or not, your Thanksgiving will be special for everyone in your home.  

 From all of us at Envoy Mortgage, we wish you and yours a healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!