Holiday season on a budget: tips for festive and frugal celebrations

The holiday season is here — shopping, parties, baking and traveling! If your food budget feels tighter this year, don’t worry. With a little planning, you can enjoy the festivities without breaking the bank.

Plan ahead and budget

The biggest tip? Plan ahead! Set a budget for your food expenses just like you would for gift purchases. According to the National Retail Federation, food costs can account for nearly 30% of holiday budgets, making planning essential to avoid overspending.

Shopping

• Bring high-protein snacks like cheese sticks, beef jerky, a peanut butter sandwich or a handful of nuts to avoid expensive impulse buys while making your holiday purchases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes that high-protein snacks can keep you feeling full longer, helping curb the temptation to splurge on less nutritious options.
• Prepare your coffee drink at home before heading to the stores. A homemade coffee can cost less than $1, compared to $5 or more at a café.
• Plan your holiday food needs in advance and buy a few items each week. Spreading out the cost makes it easier than purchasing everything at once.

Parties

• Host a potluck to share the cost among guests.
• Opt for an appetizer party with affordable options like deviled eggs, meatballs, sausage balls, cheese and crackers, vegetables and dip or fruit salad. These options are nutrient-dense and easy on the wallet.
• Entertain guests with a lunch party – portions are typically smaller and more budget-friendly.
• Prepare a simple meal such as a slow cooker pot roast to focus on quality time with loved ones rather than extravagant dishes.

Baking

• If you already have basic baking ingredients, making your own desserts is often cheaper than buying them. For example, baking a homemade apple crisp can cost $5-$7, compared to $15-$20 for a bakery pie.
• Plan recipes based on ingredient costs. For instance, apples are less expensive than pecans so an apple crisp might be a better choice than a pecan pie.
• If you don’t have baking essentials, consider purchasing a pre-made dessert – it may save you time if not money.

Traveling

• If driving, pack a cooler with snacks and drinks. Homemade snacks can save up to 50% compared to gas station or convenience store prices.
• For flying, pack high-protein snacks and bring an empty water bottle to fill at the airport. The Transportation Security Administration allows empty bottles, and airport water fountains are free.
• Consider meal replacement options like low-sugar protein shakes and bars to save on pricey airport food.

Other budget-friendly holiday tips

• Cook with budget-friendly ingredients like less expensive cuts of meat in a slow cooker. Buy turkeys after Thanksgiving when they go on sale and freeze them for later.
• Incorporate in-season produce like carrots, squash, Brussels sprouts, green beans, apples, pears and pomegranates.
• Plan for leftovers with dishes like soup, salad, sandwiches, casseroles or even breakfast bakes.
• Check your grocery store’s app for sales and coupons. Plan your shopping around deals.
• For beverages, create a hot cocoa or coffee bar with toppings. For alcohol, serve mulled wine or a themed cocktail like a poinsettia (cranberry juice with sparkling wine or water).

By following these tips, you can celebrate the season while keeping your food budget under control. Happy holidays!

By Claire Edgemon, senior registered dietitian in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery