How to Host a Fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner—Even in a Time of Inflation

No matter what shape the economy is in, Thanksgiving is about family and friends gathering at the table to enjoy quality time together. (Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock)

You don’t have to spend an arm and a turkey leg to host a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner. Don’t be daunted by scary headlines; the MSM is in the business of keeping viewers watching and readers reading, so take their stories with a grain of salt.

Remember, our grandmothers knew how to throw a meaningful holiday, even during the Great Depression. How? By starting early, making what they could from scratch, and sale shopping, of course. One instant budget-helper is to choose a frozen turkey instead of a fresh one; a roasted chicken would be an even less expensive, yet very tasty alternative without straying from the “bird” theme.

Shop Smart

If you usually shop just a few days ahead to get your ingredients, you may not have realized that key ingredients including turkeys, broth (for gravy), canned cranberry sauce, green beans, pumpkins, butter, and a wide array of baking supplies start going on sale in early November.

It’s time to give a thorough look at those supermarket circulars that you normally toss away with the junk mail—read them all, even the stores you don’t normally consider. Look for sales on frozen turkeys, which can last up to two years when properly stored—a fact that’ll make for some interesting dinner conversation. Some supermarkets offer a discount on the price per pound if you spend a certain amount; nonperishables are a great way to do that by simply pre-buying something you’d buy later anyway. Don’t assume a sale item will be on sale next week; buy it now, while it’s available and marked down.

Canned and frozen vegetables are cheaper than fresh, just as tasty, and not likely to accidentally go bad before the big day. Dig into the back of the pantry before you head to the store. That extra can of cranberry sauce or pumpkin from last year may still be perfectly good. Similarly, if you buy-one-get-one-free this year, save the spare can for 2023.

Check out nearby farmers markets for additional deals; as a bonus, you’ll be supporting local growers and beating supply chain hiccups.

Confirm your guest list to avoid over- or underbuying.

Keep It Simple

More than any other holiday, Thanksgiving is about comfort food. If you want to have a culinary adventure, limit it to a side dish or two.

Keep the bar simple, too. Have guests bring the adult beverage of their choice, or serve a bottle of white wine with the meal.

Decorate with what you already have, using your imagination. Got evergreens in the yard? Bring in a few branches instead of pricey flowers. How about those fall-themed Halloween decorations? Can any be repurposed for Thanksgiving? Make your own centerpieces, place cards, and other decorations instead of buying them. This is a great opportunity to get the kids involved, creating inexpensive heirlooms.

Make It Yourself

Cook from scratch and prioritize your favorites. Step away from the bakery department and heat up the oven; the best pumpkin pies are those made with love. Stirring up some heavy whipping cream is much less expensive than buying it pre-made, and much better tasting, too. Make stuffing from leftover bread, onions, celery, seasoning, and broth. Limit the side dishes to those you love the most—this eliminates the temptation to buy pre-made items and gives you time to make your famous green bean casserole and make-ahead mashed potatoes.

Pace the cooking, leaving the turkey for the big day. Put those expensive herbs and spices back on the store shelf; salt, pepper, and a basting with turkey stock are all you need. This simple blend allows the flavor of the meat to be the star of the meal.

As the price of turkey increases every year—and this year in particular—you may want to consider a smaller turkey paired with another meat choice such as baked ham, pork loin, or pot roast. Or simply increase the side dishes.

Make It a Potluck!

Don’t be shy about suggesting that friends and family bring a dish. If your single brother-in-law gets a turkey from his boss each year, have him drop it off with you on his way home; tell him you’ll do the rest. You can also divide up the holiday seasons (i.e., you take Thanksgiving, your sister hosts Christmas, and Mom and Dad have the entire family over for New Year’s Eve).

When all is said and done, Thanksgiving is about the people you spend it with. That said, enjoy the delicious leftovers—they’re a budget bonus and one of the best parts of this holiday.

Bonus: Kitchen Tricks

So you’ve decided to do the holiday from scratch? These handy tips will take you from newbie to kitchen superstar.

Microwave Buddy

Few things are more boring than watching potatoes boil. Cook them in the microwave instead; no one will know because you’re going to mash them anyway. Using the microwave is faster, and you won’t have to worry about them boiling over.

Super Scrubber

Got a lot of potatoes to wash? Toss them in the—you aren’t going to believe this—dishwasher. Just set it to the rinse cycle, with no soap, and let it do all the scrubbing. This trick works for sweet potatoes and brawny root vegetables as well.

Ice, Ice Baby

White meat and dark meat have different cooking times, which is the leading cause of a dry bird (dry breast meat). Place a Ziploc bag filled with ice on the breast meat to lower its temperature before roasting so it cooks more slowly than the dark, resulting in a perfectly balanced result.