How to Host Friendsgiving on a Budget
It’s that time of year again when all of the holiday parties start cropping up. And you start wondering where your all your paychecks have gone.(Seriously, I’ve been earning money all year, where did it go?!) If you are the host for your squad’s annual Friendsgiving, it’s time to take a look at your bank account. It’s possible to host a fantastic budget Friendsgiving, you just need to plan ahead.
Make a Budget Beforehand
I know. I know. Boring. Why would you want to do that instead of planning all the delicious sides you’ll be eating?! But trust me.
Too many times I’ve dived in head-first and wound up way over budget because I really thought that extra appetizer I planned last minute using gourmet persimmons and imported brie wasn’t going to be that expensive! Don’t be me.
Plan your budget at the same time you choose the date and make the guest list. When, where, who, and how much: the cardinal questions. Figure out what dishes you’ll be making and what alcohol you’ll be including. Count it all up and know the price in advance. And know what you’ll need to skip or pass to someone else.
Make it a Potluck
The host is expected to cook something, yes. But not everything. It is completely acceptable to tell your guests to bring a dish with them. If you feel uncomfortable about this, don’t. Even in medieval times guests brought dishes to big feasts as gifts. You’re not breaking with tradition.
The wisest choice is to coordinate the dishes. It’s part of your job as a host, honestly. Don’t be lazy. Telling your friends to “just bring whatever you can” is a great way to end up with 5 containers of store-bought mashed potatoes. And 3 homemade ones. You need to plan it out. Make a list of all the dishes and have a sign up. (Better yet, actually assign them.)
The benefit? Everyone feels like they are helping. All your guests get to weigh in on what dishes they like or want to make. And each person feels like they were part of the feast creation.
Ask Everyone to Bring Some Wine (Or Booze)
Another way to cut costs is to encourage (or just directly ask) your guests to bring their favorite bottle of wine or booze.
Even if you’re already doing a potluck for food, one dish and one bottle of wine won’t break most people’s bank. But 12 bottles of wine and 12 dishes might break yours!
You’ll also ensure everyone likes at least one drink if they bring it themselves. And you’re bound to get more variety than planning everything around one type of alcohol. Because that’s all you can afford…because the imported brie was definitely way more than you expected.
Ask guests to bring a bottle that they really enjoy or one that has a story. It’s a fun way to include the “friends and family” theme into your party. And you get to enjoy a bunch of fun stories all night long.
Want to add some bubbly? I get it champagne is super festive, but it’s also super expensive. Instead, try one of these 6 affordable alternatives to champagne! Then you can enjoy the festivities without constantly mourning your bank balance.
Decorate with Produce
No. I don’t mean get out your lettuce and wilted celery and leave them on the counter. But be smart when you’re buying for fall. Both farmer’s markets and supermarkets will be swarming with autumnal vegetables. Know the plus side of these veggies? They keep!
So stock up on apples, squash, gourds, pumpkins, onions, garlic, and assorted potatoes. Most edible squash are just as pretty as decorative gourds. And they are certainly very seasonal.
But better, because you can eat them later and save on next week’s dinners. (Budget Friendsgiving and budget weeknight dinners!) Choose a few for a theme, or a few you find really yummy and want to cook later, and use them as decoration in the meantime! Your Friendsgiving will have a very rustic feel.
Don’t get Stuck on Turkey
It’s no secret that wine and turkey are two of the most expensive parts of the meal. (Except brie. It must really be imported…)
While the host is expected to cook the turkey if nothing else, that doesn’t help when your budget is really tight. Instead, why not opt for a less expensive option? Try some alternatives to turkey to lower the budget and avoid turkey fatigue.
- Roasted Chicken
- Turkey Breasts and Legs
- Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Make Batched Food and Drink
No need to create individualized cocktails with pricey ingredients. No reason to bake 3 separate pies either.
Instead create a big batch welcome cocktail with some juice and cheap liquor. Your guests won’t mind at all with everything else going on on the table. Especially if they brought a wine too!
For sides choose a massive plate of mac and cheese or a huge side of mashed potatoes. These are both fairly cheap dishes, so you can make huge batches at low cost. They also taste delicious and are quite filling. So you won’t need to feed each person an entire persimmon (and brie) to fill them up.
Desserts are even easier. Create sheetpan desserts. Make a huge batch of bourbon brownies, or pecan pie bars. Or divide your sheetpan up and make several different desserts all in one go! Your guests will ooh and aah over your ingenuity and how adorable they are. And they’ll thank you for the small servings when they are already stuffed.
Choosing to go with a budget Friendsgiving does mean you have to make certain compromises. You might have to give up just a little bit to make it work. (Goodbye massive cheese board.) But you absolutely do NOT have to give up any fun. Focus on your friends, focus on the food, and focus on giving thanks! That’s what the day should be about anyway.
And, of course, you know the next holiday is right around the corner, so start planning that budget now. Check out How to Decorate for Christmas on a Budget before you end up over spending!
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