The winter holidays are here and you may be planning a big party for friends and family, or smaller gatherings. Regardless of the setting, it is never too early to begin planning your holiday meal.
Meal preparation can be difficult at the last minute, whether you're having a dinner for one or ten people. Planning your meal ensures that all of your favorite items are included, and your money is spent wisely. You'll also shop more efficiently and save money by avoiding impulse purchases.
Here are some tips you could follow to guarantee that you have a much easier time buying and preparing food.Plan Ahead
Do not wait until the week before a holiday to begin planning and deciding what to cook for your family. To make the most of your food budget, set aside time to look for sales or coupons online and in-store. You should also keep track of everything you already have at home so you just buy the ingredients you need to complete the recipes.Save Time on Cooking
To help you save time in the kitchen, buy canned and frozen foods. While fresh produce is a wonderful complement to your diet, frozen or canned produce is equally beneficial to your health because it still contains the same nutrients. Moreover, purchasing canned or frozen produce instead of fresh may be less expensive depending on the season.Be Flexible About Your Meat Choice
Although tradition may dictate you buy a certain type of meat, your food budget may require you to do otherwise. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), dishes that include meat usually account for 40% of the cost of food for a small gathering.A whole roasted chicken or lean pork roast are both inexpensive options this time of year. Additionally, the USDA indicates that frozen meats in general can be less expensive. Again, take some time to look over your food budget and determine how much you can spend this holiday season. Then alter your dishes accordingly.Invite Others to Bring Food
Having a potluck for your holiday meal is a great way to ensure that everyone saves money when you are spending the holidays with friends and family. Make your holiday meal a potluck! Trying new foods will be enjoyable, and it also saves time in the kitchen.Talk about what you would want to offer and divide responsibilities based on each person's specialty or on the types of food (main course, dessert, sides).Make It Yourself!
Despite the temptation to buy store-bought prepared foods so you don't have to bother about preparing them from scratch, this option will probably end up costing you more money. While cooking your own food may take more time, it's also a better way to limit the amount of sugar, fat, and salt that is added to the food.Remember, cooking should also not be a lonely task. Ask for help in the kitchen by assigning age-appropriate tasks to your family, such as having your husband chop the vegetables and the kids make the cookie dough.Be Creative With Leftovers
Make the most of your food budget the week you cook a large holiday meal by using leftovers for upcoming meals. Leftovers can be used in a variety of ways, such as making a sandwich or soup with meat and veggies. Just keep in mind that leftovers should not be in your fridge for longer than four days.Take Advantage of Local Resources
Another great way to stretch your budget is to find local resources. In addition to buying produce at the local farmers market, there are many organizations that support families during the holiday season such as churches, food banks and private groups. If you have difficulty getting food on your plate, please find out about available resources in your city by calling the NC 211 line at 2-1-1 or visiting their website at this link: nc211.org.Use your SNAP/FNS Benefits
SNAP can be very beneficial to you this time of year. SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and was formerly known as Food Stamps. In North Carolina, this program is called Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).If you already are participating in SNAP, sticking to a food budget is going to help you the most in stretching those food dollars. If you are not a participant and would like to find out if you are eligible for SNAP or to apply for the program, you can contact the More In My Basket (MIMB) team. MIMB assists North Carolina residents over the phone and can help answer any questions you have. Call them today at 1-855-240-1451 or visit their website at morefood.org. They offer SNAP assistance in English, Spanish and Portuguese.Enjoy the holidays!
Information accessed from the USDA
