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Holidays are nice, but they can get expensive, which kind of puts a cloud over the festivities. Hosting a holiday meal can also take a lot of time and work, especially if you’re expecting a crowd, and we all like to save time, too. Read this for some tips on saving money on Thanksgiving dinner, and read on for tips on how to save time with holiday shortcuts!

1. Plan. I know it’s only two days before Thanksgiving, but you can still get some really good time-saving planning in. Make a list of everything that needs to get done, and then make a schedule. You’d be surprised by how much time you can save when you’re organized.
2. Cook what you can in advance. There are many Thanksgiving dishes that can be prepared a few days ahead- like cranberry sauce- and some dishes for which you can prep in advance: cube the bread for your stuffing, chop your veggies, prepare salad dressings and mix dry ingredients for your baking.
3. Use oven-to-table cookware. This way you’ll save time on plating and get the food to the table faster. There will also be less to wash later.
4. Get help from the store. It’s true that it’s usually more expensive to buy pre-cut vegetables, frozen pie crusts, and other conveniences from the supermarket, but if you’re short on time those time-savers can be pretty valuable. And you might find these products on sale around the holidays.
5. Use a slow-cooker. Yes, a slow-cooker is slow, but you can get things started earlier and then forget about them. Here are some recipes for slow-cooker Thanksgiving sides.
6. Keep it simple. You don’t need to go all out. I would say that it’s not all about the food, it’s about spending time with loved ones, but we all know it’s about the food, too. So make some delicious food, but don’t go crazy! Also, keep in mind that a holiday meal is not the time to experiment. Stick with your tried and true recipes to avoid wasting time on culinary disasters.
7. Accept help. Accept offers of help, whether it’s for cooking, bringing food, setting up, or cleaning. If no one offers, don’t be afraid to ask for some help!
8. Serve buffet style. Don’t spend the time on place settings and serving. Set everything out and let your guests help themselves.
9. Use disposables. Again, this is where you’ll have to weigh the benefits of spending a little more to save yourself some time.

There’s no reason you can’t save time and money! Try these shortcuts and enjoy your Thanksgiving!

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