8 Tips for a Plentiful Thanksgiving Dinner on a Budget

With food prices rising and the economy slowing, some worry may be starting to creep into your Thanksgiving plans. Will a traditional feast be in the budget this year?

By planning your spending, focusing on seasonal foods, using smart shopping tools, and finding creative ways to reuse leftovers, you can enjoy a festive meal with friends and family — without financial regret.

Let’s get cooking.

1. Set your limits

Start your Thanksgiving prep by deciding how much you can spend comfortably on dinner. Remember this is just one night of the year, and you still need to eat the other 364. So make sure your budget is realistic and something you can stick to.

2. Pick in-season, Canada-grown foods

In October, many Canadians have access to an abundance of seasonal fruits and vegetables, like apples, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cranberries, garlic, onions, pears, potatoes, pumpkins, squash and mushrooms.

Buying in-season produce usually means lower costs, since growers (and grocers) will have a larger supply than usual.

Depending on where you shop, seeking out seasonal products can also support local farmers — a nice touch during October, which is also Canada’s Small Business Month.

Plus, local food won’t travel as far, making your meal more sustainable.

3. Don't be scared to swap ingredients

Sometimes it’s OK to break with tradition.

In August, prices for meat rose 7.2% year over year, according to Statistics Canada, so it may be worth considering alternative proteins this Thanksgiving.

Substituting roast chicken for turkey or frozen veggies in place of fresh ones are great ways to avoid steep prices while still enjoying a hearty meal.

4. Make a shopping list (and stick to it)

Shopping without a list is like shopping hungry — you’re more likely to get swept up in strategically placed displays and overspend. Here’s to avoid delicious distractions:

5. Spread out your spending

You can’t buy perishable items too early, but you can start gathering your pantry goods, beverages, and long-lasting vegetables like potatoes and onions a couple of weeks before the holiday.

Spreading Thanksgiving purchases out can make the cost easier to absorb, and less stressful than buying everything in one big weekend grocery haul right before the event.

6. Dial down the décor

Social media may try to convince you that your Thanksgiving table needs to look like a magazine spread. But guests typically care about food and company most.

If you enjoy decorating, stick with accessories you already own or break out the good china and cloth napkins. You can also forage for natural décor (try using leaves, acorns and branches as a door wreath or centerpiece) or add low-cost touches like handwritten place cards.

Discount stores like Dollarama or the Great Canadian Dollar Store are a good spot to find inexpensive festive touches, like candles, if you really want to dial up the ambiance.

7. Make it a potluck

If the financial strain of dealing with every detail yourself feels heavy, ask guests to contribute.

Your friends and family will probably be glad to bring a single dish instead of prepping the entire meal.

To avoid overlap (three pumpkin pies, no potatoes, oh no!), set the menu in advance and ask people to choose a dish to bring.

If you want something very specific, plan to make it yourself. And don’t forget to check in about dietary restrictions to ensure everyone feels included.

8. Leverage your leftovers

Thanksgiving often means leftovers — a blessing if you plan ahead. Leftovers don’t have to equal food waste; they can become additional meals that stretch your grocery budget further.

Remember to refrigerate leftovers within two hours and freeze anything you won’t use within three to four days.