Thanksgiving is right around the corner for my Canadian friends and not *that* far away for my US friends. Thanksgiving is all about food, family and being thankful for the blessings in our lives. Part of being thankful is being happy with what we have right at this very moment and not always wishing we had more. Sometimes remembering that can be hard especially if money is tight. Here are some of my favorite tips for a less expensive Thanksgiving feast (and yes, this post is sponsored by our friends at No Frills so I will be using pictures from their stores in my examples but many of the tips are universally applicable).

1. Before you hit the store, check out the flier, download your PC Points Offers (now available at No Frills as well!) and make a list. Give yourself a little wiggle room if you want to take full advantage of sales.

2. Make traditional Thanksgiving favourites from inexpensive, in season vegetables. If you are yelling “Turnips? No way!” then check out my recipe for Turnip Puff. It is amazing. Turnip haters have been turned in to turnip lovers with this recipe. Sweet potatoes are another delicious and easy side dish. Just bake them, peel, cut in to chunks and sprinkle with cinnamon, brown sugar and butter. Yum!

You can’t forget the pumpkin pie!

3. Use store brand products especially for canned veggies or fruit. You likely won’t tell the difference and you will usually save money (one caveat…if name brands are on sale they are sometimes cheaper). If a store brand isn’t available make sure to check the prices per item (or per weight) to choose. Also, I don’t really consider President’s Choice to be a “store brand” because I love their products. I find them to be very high quality in most cases.

4. Shop by yourself. It may sound mean but taking your children or significant other to the store with you almost always means that you spend more money.

5. Be flexible and know what is important to you. If you present your roasted turkey at Thanksgiving and carve it at the table, having a pristine turkey will be important to you. If you carve it in the kitchen then maybe not. The prices between a President’s Choice turkey and a utility turkey (where pieces like a wing may be missing) are $1 per pound different. If you are feeding a crowd that can really add up.

6. Having a crowd over? Make it a potluck. This one can be hard for me because I love to cook food MY WAY but it can make for a more relaxed (and less expensive) day.

7. Don’t forget to use those PC Points you’ve built up! Nothing beats free so use those points to bring down your grocery total.

Most importantly, look around and be thankful for your family and friends. Whatever you end up making for Thanksgiving will be secondary to the time you share with them.

Want more recipe ideas for a delicious Thanksgiving? Give these a try: Deliciously Simple Layered Salad, Homemade Chunky Cranberry Sauce, Southern Cornbread Stuffing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Loblaw. All recipes, opinions and savings (woo hoo PC Points) are my own.

Want to hear more about my saving adventures at No Frills? Check out my post Dinner Party on a Dime with PC Plus Points.

 
Like these recipes? Check out my Pinterest boards!

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