The holidays are a great time to gather your friends and family under one roof. But many people could use some money saving tips for hosting a holiday meal. Hosting a big holiday is kind of a double-edged sword. On one hand, you get the opportunity to be gracious and open your home to people you care about.
On the other hand, though, it can make a serious dent in your monthly budget. Unless you have planned for the extra expenditure, you may want to take a couple of precautions to throw a great bash AND still pay your mortgage.
Money Savings Tips for Hosting a Holiday Meal
Unless you have a Martha Stewart complex, and really, really need to provide everything for your guests, I suggest making your event a potluck. You may not get to showcase your amazing culinary prowess as much, but you will get to sample the best of what other people have to offer.
Plus, in the end, isn’t it about the people that are gathering? Well, and the desserts. It should be equally about the people and the desserts.
K.I.S.S. {keep it super simple} the meal plan. Yes, having a spread that would bring every guest to their knees would be rad, but it’s gonna cost you. Prepare enough for everyone to have a full belly, and save those leftover amazing recipes for another time.
B.Y.O.B. is a huge money saver. If you don’t want to open up the menu for people to bring sides, desserts, etc. potluck style, ask them to bring their favorite bottle of sparkling whatever to share. I know it’s super awkward to ask them to do this straight out of the gate, so wait until the ask what they can bring {and they will, because most people do}.
Then, you can politely say, “I’ve got the food covered, so how about bringing a bottle of something and your fantastic family?” Now doesn’t that just drip with social graces?! 😉
Stock up on clearance decor and paper products after the holiday for next year. I know this tip doesn’t do you much good right now, but if hosting is an annual thing for you, you can plan ahead and purchase non-perishables. You can buy things like decor, paper products any time during the year. It spreads out the cost too.
Hit the bulk bins, but do it for…wait for it…small amounts. Bulk bins are great for stocking up big on things you use often, but they are also awesome for getting tiny amounts of things you’ll only need once.
For example, if a recipe calls for sage, and you don’t regularly use it, there is no reason to buy a big ol’ spice bottle of the stuff. Go the bulk bins a measure out exactly what you need. Yes, I have been known to carry a teaspoon from home in my purse. I won’t be ashamed.
Get creative with the centerpiece. Of course presentation is fun, but spending extra dollars for it kinda stinks. So, use what you have. Mason jars, candles, leaves from the yard, sprigs of holly…get wild.
Finally, avoid convenience foods. Instead of buying a pre-assembled veggie tray, put your own together {caprese skewers are my go to appetizer}. The same goes for gravy–a jar of pre-made gravy is waaaay more expensive than the homemade stuff.
It’s kind of an exchange for more time instead of money. So if time is at a premium, plan out what you can make ahead of time and just heat up the day of the big show.
Do you host any big holiday feasts? How do you keep the budget in check?
~Mavis
Linda says
I began in October surveying what we have on hand for the holidays. That way I am not out at the last minute trying to buy the can of pumpkin I need. Even if it is only the two of us, I can save money. I have jellied cranberry sauce still in date from sales the first of the year when stores wanted to get rid of the stuff. I have already made the whole cranberry sauce from fresh cranberries. When I had lots of people over, I made the important stuff and let others bring a dish. We have every important dish we want.
As things come on sale, now or after Christmas, I will buy items for next year’s holidays of they will still be in date. I buy sweet potatoes straight from the farmer. We are still eating from last year’s sweet potatoes. Practical Parsimony
Lana says
If you shop the sales, avoid the pricey Stove Top stuffing and don’t serve alcohol it needs not be expensive! Save all the bits and ends of bread and the stuffing costs almost nothing
Linda Sand says
When I’m a guest, I bring deviled eggs. Cheap, easy, everyone likes them, and they can be served as an appetizer or with the main course.
Poppy says
One year I had a Turkey I had to get out of my freezer and I hosted a Thanksgiving in March party for a bunch of friends. I provided the turkey and White Castle stuffing (their most popular recipe) and my husband made Mac & cheese. I told everyone to bring their favorite side or dessert and made a signup sheet so we didn’t wind up with either 15 pumpkin pies or 15 pans of mashed potatoes. It worked great! I gave the party the tag line: all your favorite food, none of the family drama. I held that party up until the pandemic and it might be time to resurrect it!
JP says
I find it soooo funny that you have a sign up sheet….(sooo funny in the most pleasant of way, though ;)) We host a St. Patrick’s party every year….30-60 people attend, and our only instructions are: bring something potato. (we provide the rest, though almost all bring liquor to share as well). not once have we had a duplicate potato dish (going on 9 years now)….it’s simply amazing, and now most of the fun is: are there going to be duplicates?!?!?!?! (and then, what do we do if there are? lol)
Honeybee says
Poppy your March party plan is great! I love the tag line. I hope you don’t mind-I am going to use it.
Mel says
My tips are
1) Remember that holiday meals have more sides than other meals. As a result, you can usually get away with making a smaller dish of each side than usual.
2) Use leftovers. Not just the ready to reheat stuff but the turkey carcass, veggie scraps, etc.
3) Calculate the cost over multiple meals. If you have leftovers, the price of the meal isn’t just for that meal. I’m not cooking this year, but when I do, I like to make enough that I can send leftovers home with people and we also have our own leftovers. But that means the cost of the individual holiday meal looks inflated, but I’m really feeding several people for a few days. In that light, it’s usually quite reasonable.