Thanksgiving is all about good food, family, and time together, not stressing over grocery bills. Still, with prices rising on just about everything, many families are finding this year’s celebration more expensive than they expected. According to a recent holiday shopping trends survey, 59.7% of people say their Thanksgiving dinner will cost more this year. Whether you’re cooking for two or hosting a big family gathering, a few smart choices can make a big difference. The good news? You don’t have to give up your favorite dishes to stay on budget. With a little planning and a few money-saving tricks, you can enjoy a cozy, delicious Thanksgiving without overspending. Key Insights According to recent USDA forecasts, overall food prices are expected to rise by about 3% in 2025, which is slightly higher than the usual long-term average. The good news is that grocery store prices are predicted to grow more slowly. Carefully planning your grocery list helps you optimize your budget and prevent food waste. Various PissedConsumer features can help you compare different companies' reviews to make an informed purchase decision. How to Save on Thanksgiving Dinner? Here are a few tips for a budget-friendly celebration: plan your menu in advance, shop ahead to catch deals, use coupons, opt for store-brand products, and keep your menu simple. With a few easy steps, you can enjoy a delicious meal without stretching your budget. Plan your grocery list Meal planning and budgeting your grocery shopping is one of the best money-saving Thanksgiving ideas. Having clarity of what will be on your celebratory menu and the exact grocery items you need prevents impulse buying. Therefore, start by creating your Thanksgiving menu. Then, break down the grocery items and the respective quantities required for each dish. Do a quick inventory of your freezer, fridge, and pantry to check which items you already have. Proceed to create a shopping list for the items you do not have. Celebrate at home Thanksgiving is hard to imagine without a festive dinner, and many people plan to enjoy it outside. And while there's nothing wrong with choosing this option, it's important to realize that it can lead to extra expenses. On average, a dinner at an inexpensive restaurant costs almost 285% more than at home. In addition, according to the Bureau of Labor, the index of eating away from home rose by 3.7 percent over the past year. Therefore, a home-cooked dinner can help you stay on budget and have a family spirit. But how can you save even more? A Reddit user suggests splitting up cooking among guests if you're celebrating with a company. This way, you'll cut down on your shopping list and spend less time cooking. Source: reddit.com Shop early Another smart holiday shopping tip is to shop for groceries early. It ensures you have ample time to identify, compare, and take advantage of discounts and promotions, but it is also a useful tactic for avoiding price hikes as Thanksgiving approaches. Furthermore, it helps avoid last-minute stress and overspending. Save with coupons One of the easiest ways to save on your Thanksgiving shopping is to use coupons, apps, and online deals. Thanks to the internet, you do not have to scout for magazines and flyers to find coupons. You can easily access coupons and deals on apps such as Ibotta, Rakuten, and Groupon, among others. This is also a great time to take advantage of cashback programs and loyalty rewards. So, before you head out to shop or make your order online, do your research to find deals. Visit the Gift Cards and Coupons category on Pissedconsumer.com for a comprehensive list of popular coupon and deal apps. You can also read reviews and check customer service information for each company. Choose store-brand Store-brand ingredients can significantly reduce your Thanksgiving grocery bill without sacrificing quality. Such items, commonly referred to as private labels, are typically produced by the same manufacturer as their name-brand counterparts. However, since marketing and packaging costs are reduced, they are sold at a lower price. However, store-brand products are not always cheaper, so Reddit users recommend paying attention to what you grab. Source: reddit.com Take advantage of comparison shopping Comparison shopping is the key to finding the best deals. This is a particularly helpful tip if you are shopping for Thanksgiving on a budget. Take time to compare prices across different grocery stores. Pay attention to significant price differences for items on your shopping list. You may find that one store has better discounts for canned goods while a different store offers better prices for fresh produce. Limit amount of sides You do not need an elaborate spread of side dishes for your Thanksgiving meal. A smaller selection can be sufficient and will reduce your expenses significantly. When deciding on your menu, go for a few crowd-pleasers. Also, consider making them in larger quantities to ensure everyone gets sufficient serving. Classic sides such as mashed potatoes, rice, and roasted vegetables are great options. Go with frozen products Frozen products, including vegetables, fruits, and even meats, can be more affordable than their fresh counterparts. Therefore, consider buying frozen turkey or other frozen ingredients to save money and avoid the price spikes that often happen during the Thanksgiving season. Since frozen foods have a longer shelf life, you can buy them early on and store them in the freezer to avoid the last-minute rush. Have a Memorable Yet Budget-Friendly Thanksgiving Rising prices are not a reason to skip out on your beloved holiday. We hope the tips above will help you make informed purchasing decisions and plan an affordable Thanksgiving meal without compromising taste. How do you save during the holidays? Share your own Thanksgiving shopping tips or write about your experience with stores and delivery services on PissedConsumer.com. Share your experience