How To Host Christmas Dinner On A Budget + Free Holiday Budget Planner

When you host, you want to have a great time without spending a ton of money. Today I’ve got a free printable Holiday Budget Planner to keep you organized plus some great tips on how to host Christmas Dinner on a budget!

Are you in charge of hosting the big holiday feast this year? If so, you might be seeing dollar signs. After all, feeding a crowd can add up quickly, and before you know it your holiday budget can go bust.

Luckily there are ways to stretch your holiday dinner budget and get more for you money. Check out some helpful tips below on how to host Christmas dinner on a budget, and see how easy it can be to put on a feast your guests will enjoy and you will be proud of!

1. Take advantage of canned goods sales.

Since many organizations hold food drives during the holiday months, you can often find great deals on canned goods. This means you can stock up on chicken and beef broth, soups, vegetables, gravy and more. Think of ways to work these items into your menu since you will pay less than a dollar per can.

2. Look for a hot holiday ham deal.

During the holiday seasons, you can find ham much cheaper than you can find turkey or prime rib. Look for holiday ham sales for around .99 cents per pound. Ham is so easy to cook with just some seasoning and glaze of choice, making it not just a frugal option but a simple one too.

Remember if you see a deal, you can always buy the meat and freeze it for when you need it. The idea is to start looking now, and not wait last minute.

3. Focus on frugal side dishes.

There are a few holiday side dishes that will cost you just pennies per serving since their ingredients are inexpensive. This includes hashbrown casserole, corn casserole, green bean casserole, canned cranberries, pasta salad, and of course mashed potatoes. You can easily whip these up and save big bucks in the process.

4. Load up on bread.

Bread is an excellent side dish for your feast because it is cheap and filling. Opt to buy a fresh loaf of french bread for around $1 as opposed to buying frozen or refrigerated bread. You can save a couple of bucks by buying fresh, but any leftovers can be easily stored away for later.

5. Consider drink mixes or two litres.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when on a budget is buying canned soda. Not only is it costly, but people tend to open a fresh can before finishing an old one. Instead, grab two litres of soda for around a buck each, or make pitchers of juice(like this Strawberry Basil Lemonade) or mocktails using powdered beverage mixers.

6. Invite guests to bring a dessert

There is nothing wrong with asking guests to bring a dessert to share. This is an easy way to create a dessert spread without the cost of effort. Cookies and brownies are inexpensive to bake, and a nice assortment will ensure everyone gets something they like. They could even bring this amazing Coconut Cream Pie that is a sure crowd pleaser!

Are you ready to throw a holiday feast that your guests and your budget will be proud of? Then give these tips on how to host Christmas dinner on a budget a try! You are sure to find that these suggestions can help you save time, money, and stress.

Free Holiday Planner Printable Download

Today I’ve got a fun download that will help you keep track of all your Christmas finances! This will help you keep track of your holiday decor and gift giving while sticking to your budget. If you are a planner and a person that loves to write things down (like me!) grab it now!

Free Holiday Planner Printable Download

For more Christmas printable fun check out:

8 Awesome DIY Gift Basket Ideas + Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags

The Best Free Printable Christmas Games To Play With Family

Christmas Adult Games Free Printable

The Ultimate Christmas Planner: 34 Pages Free Printable

Christmas Time Pinterest Board