Countdown to a Successful and Stress-free Thanksgiving - Money Tip Tuesday

Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays because it’s not about costumes or presents, it’s about taking time to give thanks and be with family and friends you love. While that is what we would like to think, Thanksgiving has become somewhat of another stressful holiday that can fill you with financial, mental, and emotional anxiety. Stay tuned as we countdown ways you can alter your Thanksgiving feast and family time to make this holiday the best one ever!

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Transcript:

Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.

I love Thanksgiving primarily because my mom is a fantastic cook and even though I’ve been adulting for 40 years, she still hosts our family with all the delicious fixins! I won’t say getting to her house for Thanksgiving is the easiest because she and my dad live six hours north of our home in NH. As you can imagine, the most stressful issue for us is getting there! My husband and I have two adult daughters: one with a job and one in college in NC. What was an easy arrangement for us to all get in the car years ago, has now become quite an ordeal. Now we have three people who have to get time off and getting the also have to get our girl home from university without breaking the bank. We know we aren’t alone when it comes to holiday stress so here are ideas you can incorporate into the final countdown to Thanksgiving:

7 Days Out – if you haven’t extended your invites yet, you need to do that today! You don’t need formal invitations or a special email—a phone call or a text will do. When you think about those invitations, really stop to consider who’s going to be at your table. In addition to the who, you also want to consider how many simply because a crowd can cause chaos. Too many people can lead to a hectic and stressful situation so don’t put yourself in that position. Invite those who can comfortably fit at your table. And don’t forget the single aunt or neighbor who may not have anyone to share this special day with—extending the invitation will make their day a special one.

6 Days Out – Clean out your fridge and make room for all the groceries you’re about to buy because it’s time to think about your meal: what will you serve for an appetizer, main entrée, sides, and dessert? Once you have the menu, then you’ll want to prepare your grocery shopping list. We all tend to over prepare or buy when it comes to food so be considerate of your budget and don’t go overboard. There are meal planning tools online (and we’ll share those in our show notes). If you are on a budget, don’t be afraid to ask your family and friends to bring a side dish to share. Whenever I get an invitation to a party, I always ask, “what can I bring?” with the expectation that I do need to bring something! Try to stick to your list when you go shopping—if you do buy extra groceries just make sure you can afford them and you have room to store them! You will find grocery stores offer big sales during Thanksgiving week so if your budget allows, plan to pick up a little extra, but don’t go over budget! Check the sales flyers before you leave your house and don’t forget the condiments!

5 Days Out – Plan your table. There is something about a festive table to set the mood. Add some holiday decorations as a centerpiece. If you’re looking for ideas, a simple Pinterest search will present you with some amazing suggestions. Table décor is beautiful and will be appreciated by your guests, but it is not necessary so if your budget doesn’t allow for it, you can pass on this one. I have a co-worker who just told me she will have thirteen people for Thanksgiving which is about the cutoff for real or paper plates. She’s opting for paper and that is a great option as well—super easy clean up and there are gorgeous prints and patterns to choose from in all sizes.

4 Days Out – More planning is on the menu today: what will your day look like and what will your guests be doing? How long do you plan to have them stay? It’s quite common to have guests arrive an hour before mealtime, which is perfect for appetizers and to catch up. After the meal and clean up, what comes next? So glad you asked! Depending upon your vibe, your guests can retreat to the family room and sofa for football, or you can bring out the board games once the dining room table is cleaned. After dinner coffee is always a good idea—a little mid-afternoon caffeine pick-me-up will keep your guests awake! Whatever you plan for entertainment, let it be simple and easy. There is no need to force complicated activities and cause frustration. There is one item that is a must: make sure you take a photo together. Be sure to think ahead about when people will be leaving so you have the time to capture your special day together.

3 Days Out – Start cleaning. Anytime I have guests, I always start my cleaning early. I do try to keep our house tidy but inevitably, there are rooms to clean! Depending on how many rooms you have, tackle one or two a day so you don’t play yourself out before the big day!

2 Days Out – Keep on cleaning! Double check the groceries to make sure you have everything you need. If you have any last-minute items, now’s the time to get them!

1 Day Out – It’s Thanksgiving Eve and your guests arrive tomorrow—no need to panic because the house is looking great (if not, keep cleaning), your groceries are in the pantry and refrigerator! Today is the day to pre-prepare any food that doesn’t have to be made on Thanksgiving Day, which can be most dessert items and apps. You can even set and decorate your table in advance. Once your food items are prepped, put them in the refrigerator for tomorrow. One last item: write a to-do list for tomorrow with approximate timelines—this will help you keep a schedule and limit your anxiety…then get to bed early; you’ve got a big day tomorrow!

Thanksgiving is here and it came up fast, but you’re ready to face it with gusto! Enjoy your special time with those you love and give thanks for it all. 

 
If you have any comments, tips or ideas, please email us at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. For more great content, be sure to subscribe to the Making Money Personal podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and be sure to follow us on social media.

Many thanks to our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, voted the best credit union in NH, and many thanks for tuning in.

Have a great day everyone!