The holiday season is just around the corner, and it’s time to get organized! Today, we’ll focus on setting budgets and planning menus for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Step 1: Set Your Holiday Budget
- Review Last Year’s Spending
Look back at your credit card and bank statements from last year. Write down what you spent on food and drinks for Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If you do not have a budget set already, decide how much you want to spend on each person per day, that is your budget.
- Thanksgiving Dinner: $____
- Black Friday Snacks/Meals: $____
- Saturday Meals: $____
- Sunday Meals: $____
- Total Food/Drink Expenses: $____
- Create a New Budget
Based on last year’s spending, set a realistic budget for this year. Consider any changes in your guest list or menu that might affect costs. Health Storey does not believe in snacking, Can you add more food to the meals and eliminate grazing from each holiday?
- Thanksgiving Budget: $____
- Christmas Budget: $____
- Total Holiday Budget: $____
Step 2: Plan Your Menus
Next, let’s think about what you want to serve. Here’s a simple outline to help you get started:
Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
- Appetizers: Cheese platter, veggie tray, or stuffed mushrooms
- Main Course: Roast turkey, Roasted and stuffed Squash
- Sides: Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing / dressing
- Desserts: Apple crisp with Ice cream, Cranberry pound cake,
Christmas Menu Ideas
- Appetizers: Bruschetta, chicken sausage bombs
- Main Course: Vegetarian fried chicken
- Sides: Roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce,
- Desserts: Stolen bread, Christmas cakes,
Step 3: Meal Prep with the Instant Pot
To make meal prep easier, Health Storey suggests using an Instant Pot for making rice potatoes, steamed vegetables and hard boiled eggs. Here’s how to incorporate them into your meals:
- Rice or Potatoes as a Base: One cup of steamed rice or potatoes can be the foundation for various meals throughout the week.
Example Meal Ideas
- Rice Bowl: Top with grilled vegetarian chicken sausage, veggies, and teriyaki sauce.
- Stuffed Squash: Mix rice with ground turkey, spices and place inside of baked or grilled carnival squash.
- Potato Casserole: Layer potatoes with cheese, broccoli, and ham in an oven safe dish.
Step 4: Grocery Shopping
If you only shop on weekends, consider buying a 2-pound bag of rice per person per week for about $5.00 each.
By setting a budget and planning your menus today, you’ll be well on your way to a stress-free holiday season. Remember to keep track of your spending and adjust your budget as needed. Happy prepping!