Thanksgiving is just around the corner and so many of us are beginning to make preparations now to get ready for the big day. However, this recession seems to still be looming around many of our heads. It is no doubt going to be a little bit harder than usual to put food on the table this Thanksgiving, let alone do any holiday decorating. So here are a few tips you can use to keep Thanksgiving on or under budget: First of all, don’t buy a name brand ham. Ham’s can run you $40 or more. While they are good, you can glaze your own ham for less than a 1/10 of the price. All you need is some brown sugar, a little pineapple juice and some water. Next, potatos are cheep, so make side dishes that utilize this staple. Rice is the same way. It’s cheap and can be good when mixed with right ingredients, (i.e. a rice casserole would be great this year). Don’t waste money on plastic ware. Using your own dishes is free and water isn’t expensive, so washing them may be a hassle, but it’s cheaper. 1800 Flowers has great decorations on a budget so us them.
When it comes to beverages, instead of buying sodas, make a punch. A great fruit punch consists of a few packages of Kool Aid, sugar, water, pineapple juice, and 1 liter or 2 of lime soda. Buy the off brand of everything. It tastes just as good and will go much farther than individual cans. In addition, you may want to consider asking people to bring a dish of their own to add to the meal. If everyone chips in, no single person has to feel the burden of the load. So eat cheaper, budget, and get 1800 Flowers, and your Thanksgiving Day Meal is sure to be more cost efficient than ever!