As Thanksgiving draws closer, I’m starting to get really, really excited. Growing up, Thanksgiving was my absolute favorite holiday. I loved helping my mom cook the turkey while the beautiful aromas of the season filled our tiny trailer. I couldn’t wait to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to see Tom Turkey come rolling down in front of the world-famous department store. This time of year, my heart fills with gratitude when I remember those days of Thanksgiving past. These days, I do my best to recreate that warm and loving atmosphere for my own family.
Our Thrifty Thanksgiving Feast
One of the best things about Thanksgiving is that it is not a consumer-based holiday. Yay. Even though we host Thanksgiving for our family, it doesn’t cost us all that much money. In fact, our actual turkey is FREE every year because of the bonus card points we accumulate via our local grocery store.
If we spend over a certain amount each year (which we obviously do) we’re eligible for a free bird up to 20 lbs. This year, our bird was 19.53 lbs. Who’s awesome? Yes, it is me. We picked up said free bird today and it is currently defrosting in the refrigerator in preparation for the big day.
Alongside the bird, we prepare most of the traditional fixings like mashed potatoes, cream corn, stuffing, asparagus, and sometimes green bean casserole and salad. Oh, and the gravy. My God, we would never forget the gravy. In fact, I might argue that one of the best things about Thanksgiving is the gravy. Okay, I’ll stop, but you get the idea.
So, yes, we host, but the turkey is free. The other fixings are pretty inexpensive and are mostly absorbed in our weekly trip to the grocery store.
What about alcohol and dessert you ask? Well, typically we garner lots of bottles of wine throughout the year when we have people over to visit. And since we’re not big drinkers, it sits around unopened until we host a party or holiday get-together, like Thanksgiving! As for dessert, Mr. MMM’s dad usually walks through the door with decadent pumpkin pie and cheesecake for our post-feast enjoyment. And enjoy we do.
Family and Friends Fill The House
Yes, I love smelling the turkey and all the fixings. And, yes, I love having the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade playing on TV and seeing Santa ride in on his sleigh at the end to usher in the Christmas season. But what I love most of all, is the house being filled with family, friends, and laughter. This is how memories are made and I can’t get enough of it.
Whether we’re paging through family photo albums plastered with Polaroids or we’re sitting around the table reminiscing about Thanksgiving dinners of years gone by, we’re together and giving ourselves permission to unwind and make more memories.
Related:
- A Frugal Thanksgiving For Me And For You
- Extreme Frugality Fatigue Is All It’s Cracked Up To Be
- A Glorious Feast And Other November 2017 Expenses Revealed
Feelings Of Gratitude
I always try to look at the positive side of things. And it’s not difficult when you’re surrounded by the people who love you most. From my perspective, Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday. The only gift given is the gift of time with family and friends. And for that, my heart bursts with feelings of gratitude.
So as we start to gear up for the holidays around here, I want to send warm wishes your way for a wonderful season. Hopefully, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy time with loved ones and experience your own feelings of gratitude. Cheers!
One Comment
What time did you get in line for all that on sale stuff on black friday morning???