How Do You Save on Thanksgiving Holiday Expenses?

Any tips or suggestions for keeping this Thanksgiving holiday from costing a fortune?

How will you save on travel costs?

How will you save on Thanksgiving dinner?

How will you save on decorations?

We'd love to hear your money saving holiday tips. Please share them with the Tip Hero community by posting a comment below. And thanks for being a Tip Hero!

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Comments:

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Potluck all the way! Everyone brings something to the table carrying on the tradition of the first thanksgiving!

Posted by anonymous on November 19, 2009 11:44 AM

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My husband and I just had a baby and knew that we wanted to share our holidays with our family across the country. So, we planned ahead to avoid traveling on the busy days. My husband decided it was worth it to take the entire week off to avoid costly travel. So we are flying Sat. to Sat. and saving about $250/ticket!

Posted by anonymous on November 19, 2009 11:47 AM

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I buy all the paper products related to the holiday after the holiday is over and pack them with the already owned decor in a box together and get them down for use the next year. They are new and ready to go!

Also, some holiday recipes I make just once a year and they don't turn out the best. Now my family ends up with a holiday dish in Sept/Oct one dish in a meal at a time so I can practice before the big day gets here - things turn out much better now.

Posted by gbgb on November 19, 2009 1:34 PM

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When turkey is .39-.49 I buy a few and keep frozen for savings over quite a few months. Last year after thanksgiving I bought artificial pumpkins and small white gourds at 75% off at Joanne Fabric. They look completely real and I can use them every year now. At a local discount store I purchased pine cone garland for my fireplace. I snip wild bittersweet to adorn chandeliers and tables.At another discount store I found a dozen mustard colored taper candles for $2.29 and I'll change out my usual ivory ones.

Posted by anonymous on November 19, 2009 2:25 PM

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I shop for items the months before Thanksgiving. That way my food budget doesn't take a huge hit. So, if there's a good deal on cranberry relish, or mince pie filling, whipped topping, or frozen brocholli, at our local bump and dent grocery I pick it up early.

Posted by oddfox1 on November 19, 2009 3:11 PM

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I buy decor and paper products off season, have the family bring a side dish, dessert, beverage or bread item and I shop the big food sales. This way, it doesn't cost anyone very much money at all!

Posted by TeresaA on November 19, 2009 3:32 PM

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I don't worry about the food costs, bc the leftovers are eaten all weekend, so the costs end up being reasonable. Best tip? I never, never go shopping on Black Friday -- despite the "deals," the stress and crowds encourage overshopping. Better to play board games all day, or make gifts for people on Friday.

Posted by sanddollar on November 19, 2009 5:37 PM

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Dollar store! Aside from that there are two special days in my family. T-day pull out all the stops. Christmas- give what you can but never till it hurts. Happy holidays to all you tip hero. Jim

Posted by Jim HILL on November 19, 2009 5:51 PM

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I do my shopping the Saturday night before Thanksgiving, and get the largest, cheapest turkey in the store. Veggies are homegrown.

Posted by anonymous on November 19, 2009 7:14 PM

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I just want to know, what paper products are you guys buying?
A great alternative to napkins is thin wash cloths that are wetted and heated in the microwave. Just like in the First Class section of the plane.

Posted by Rinchen on November 20, 2009 9:58 AM

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I got this tip the other day -- buy the biggest turkey you can find and have the butcher cut it in half. You can use half for thanksgiving and the other half on another occasion. The butcher will do this for free or maybe a couple of bucks.

Posted by Veronica on November 21, 2009 11:12 AM

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I go to the kids house. Save on decorations prep work and clean ups a non issue. Happy Thanks Giving. Being a senior has its perks. Jim

Posted by Jim HILL on November 21, 2009 8:38 PM

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I just bought a Fresh 25lb Turkey at Costco yesterday for .89 lb. I was going to get an $8 turkey from King Soopers and be a little bit more frugal, but am happy with this purchase.

I need lots of turkey for my football playing college son and his buddies anyway!
I'll be making sides dishes less costly and so spending a little more on the Turkey balances out. As much as I dislike Walmart, they have Sweet Potatoes for only .25lb so that
was an awesome deal too.

Posted by anonymous on November 22, 2009 4:03 PM

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