Hosting Family for a Holiday Gathering on Budget

Hosting family at your home for the holidays can be both a source of joy and stress. It seems the price of everything, from paper goods to groceries are going up. Even so, with careful planning and some changes to the large traditional dinner, you can enjoy a family gathering with less stress.

The best way to save money on your Holiday groceries is to shop the sales and match up with coupons. This time of year has so many amazing grocery deals and coupons are plentiful. Take the extra time to match coupons to sales and you will even find you can get some items for free! Don't forget to look for coupons at coupons.com and other internet sites. It is a great time to buy a little extra to stock up the pantry.

Remember to look beyond the regular grocery store when doing your food shopping. I find some great deals in the food section at Target. Also try stores like Big Lots and Dollar Tree for a variety of non-perishable food items at a big discount. If you have a farmer's market nearby, check there for your fresh fruit and veggies.

Let the whole family share in the cooking by having a Christmas potluck. If you are hosting family or friends for the holidays, cut down on the expense by having each family bring something. As the hostess, provide the main course and any meal items that do not travel well. Guests are usually more than happy to bring a classic family recipe. It is less stress for the hostess and, as a guest, I appreciate being able to show up with something to contribute.

You could also skip the big meal and have sandwiches or appetizers and desserts. In our family, Thanksgiving is our big meal holiday, while Christmas tends to be smaller. We are all so busy with gift-giving and merriment that we don't miss the big meal.

When dinner is finished, don't forget to store away your leftovers! Even if you spend a lot on the main meal, you can use those leftovers for another meal or maybe more! That means more meals for the same amount of money.

If possible, substitute cheaper ingredients especially in baking. Don't put out the extra money for expensive bread for stuffing when the 99 cent bread will work just as well. Use cheaper store brand butter, chocolate chips, sugar and flour in your baked goods.

The true meaning of the holiday season is much more than a big meal and perfect baked goods. By relieving some stress over the grocery expenses, even the hostess can spend more time enjoying the special day.