November is here and it is time to trade in your pumpkins and candy for turkey and cranberry sauce. If you’ve ever hosted Thanksgiving you know that it is easy for your grocery bill to add up, especially if you need to host a large number of people. This is especially difficult because Black Friday and Christmas come right after the holiday. Although inflation is at an all-time high, there are still several ways to save on your family’s Thanksgiving feast this year. Here are the 10 best ways to have a cost-effective Thanksgiving without sacrificing any of your favorite dishes!

1.) Plan Early

Planning early for Thanksgiving takes the phrases “the early bird catches the bird” quite literally! If you plan your dinner weeks in advance it makes it easier to account for who is all coming to dinner so you can ensure that you have the proper amount of food. In order to get the best deals, buy supplies such as plates and silverware in advance. Places such as Goodwill have great deals on these items. It is also best to buy items such as foil and decorations from budget stores such as Dollar Tree.

2.) Create a Menu

If you create a menu weeks before Thanksgiving, you can ensure that you buy what you need way before you start cooking. You do not want to make a last minute trip to the grocery store and overspend on items you do not need. It is also best to only make dishes you know your guests will enjoy. Unique dishes typically require expensive ingredients and it is not worth splurging on them unless. Some meal kits such as Hello Fresh offer Thanksgiving meal kits so you are only paying for food and ingredients you know you will use.

3.) Compare Prices

Prices for Thanksgiving ingredients can differ dramatically from store to store. Items such as spices, frozen vegetables, and butter are typically on sale a few weeks before and after Thanksgiving. If possible, you should stock up on non-perishable items in advance so you don’t end up overpaying due to last minute shopping.

4.) Store your Herbs Properly

Fresh herbs can be a great way to add flavor to your food but if you do not store them properly they will go bad and you may end up buying them twice. Trim the ends off soft herbs such as parsley, tarragon, cilantro, dill, basil, and mint and stick them in a vase with water and keep them out of direct sunlight. Wrap hard herbs such as rosemary, chives, oregano, sage, and thyme in a damp paper towel and put them in an airtight container in the fridge.

5.) Carefully Shop for your Turkey (or other meats!)

During Thanksgiving season, many stores will offer customers a free turkey for spending a certain amount of money. It is also important to note that a frozen turkey is cheaper than a fresh one. Just remember that they need 24 hours in the refrigerator for every 4 to 5 pounds of meat. Another option is to skip the turkey all together and have a cheaper alternative such as chicken or Cornish hens.

6.) Buy Generic

This tip may seem obvious but buying generic is typically the way to go. Generic products are sometimes 25% less expensive than name brands. Although some products such as cheese, sauce, and ice cream may have certain brands that taste better, foods such as spices and canned items taste almost the same across brands.

7.) Serve Seasonal Produce

If you’re making dishes or desserts with fresh vegetables and fruits, it is best to go for produce that’s in season. It is cheaper and will taste better than out of season produce. Good in season produce in November are apples, cranberries, beets, and turnips. Shopping at farmers markets is also a great way to save on in season produce.

8.) Have Guests Bring in a Dish

Having a potluck style dinner will save you both time and money. Have each guest sign up for a dish they would like to bring and try suggesting recipes if they don’t know what to cook. Just make sure to communicate with your guests to ensure no one brings duplicate items.

9.) Mix Things Up

You don’t need traditional dishes such as turkey, stuffing, and sweet potatoes to have a great Thanksgiving. Consider serving vegetarian items such as rice, beans, or even tofu in order to cut costs.

10.) Don’t Throw out your Turkey Bones

Many people do not understand the versatility of turkey and throw out great pieces such as the bones and giblets. Use these “scraps” in order to make meals such as turkey soup or giblet gravy.