How to Celebrate Thanksgiving with Budget-Friendly Meals
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No doubt, it’s been a rough year. But there are many things to be thankful for, so I’m welcoming Thanksgiving with open arms. Yummy sides, pies, and of course turkey, are typically on a Thanksgiving dinner menu. In fact, 46 million turkeys are gobbled up each Thanksgiving.[1] But as 2020 has been a year of the unexpected, feel free to rock the boat a little with your meal preferences. Whether you celebrate your Thanksgiving dinner in traditional fashion or unconventional style, read on for some meal ideas to save you some cash.
If you enjoy hosting a traditional type of Thanksgiving, roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, and pumpkin pies are most likely the staples you’ll crave. When you stick with “Turkey Day” basics as a safe bet, you’ll be more familiar with cooking and baking techniques and will hopefully run into less hiccups ranging from burning food to burning the house. Because you’re three times more likely to have a home cooking fire on Thanksgiving than a regular day.[2] So watch those pots!
We’re all still advised to social distance and be mindful of how we celebrate with family and friends this year. But if you’re gathering safely in small numbers, for a shorter period of time, and following the CDC’s guidelines regarding holiday celebrating during COVID-19, then a potluck Thanksgiving dinner could be an option. Health-conscious socializing while sharing the menu cost responsibilities can be both fun and lighten the stress load. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, a common Thanksgiving Day dinner costs less than $5.00 per person.[3] Doesn’t seem too bad! But if you can break down that price even more, why not?
2020 might just be the year you want to break from traditions or just make new ones of your own! 43% of U.S. Americans are open to jazzing up their Thanksgiving meals with alternative dishes.[4] So celebrate this grateful holiday the best way it’ll bring you joy.
With all the ups and downs this year has brought us, we certainly need some grace and joy. If that means we feast on turkey and the fixings, potluck with friends and family, or try out some alternative meals while safely visiting in person or connecting through technology, it should be a good time. And we’ll definitely remember that we are thankful for each and every loved one we get to celebrate with. Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday!
Staff. (2019, November 27). Turkey Facts for Thanksgiving. Retrieved from Southern Farm Network: http://sfntoday.com/turkey-facts-for-thanksgiving-day/ ↩︎
Staff. (2018, November 13). Thanksgiving is by far the leading day for US home cooking fires. Retrieved from National Fire Protection Association: https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Press-Room/News-releases/2018/Thanksgiving-is-by-far-the-leading-day-for-US-home-cooking-fires ↩︎
Staff. (2019, November 21). Farm Bureau Survey: Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Rises Only a Penny. Retrieved from Farm Bureau: https://www.fb.org/newsroom/farm-bureau-survey-thanksgiving-dinner-cost-rises-only-a-penny ↩︎
SWNS. (2019, November 12). More Americans are looking for ‘alternative’ options for Thanksgiving dinner. Retrieved from New York Post: https://nypost.com/2019/11/12/more-americans-are-looking-for-alternative-options-for-thanksgiving-dinner/ ↩︎