Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and with that frequently comes Friendsgiving — a time to express gratitude with friends and indulge in food and drinks.
That said, there’s often extreme pressure to host a huge get-together for friends when really, it doesn’t have to be so extravagant.
A Thanksgiving meal for under $20 may seem unheard of, but I’ve compiled a list of foods that would feed a small group of around four or five for less than that amount.
My list contains items from Walmart but can be modified based on where you grocery shop and the number of mouths you plan to feed.
Great Value Whole Kernel Corn, Canned Vegetables, 14.5-15 ounce for $0.50
So, the meal consists of mashed potatoes with brown gravy or country gravy, Hawaiian rolls that are my favorite, stuffing that may not look as appetizing as a home-cooked version but it sure tastes delicious, macaroni and cheese, canned corn or green beans if that’s your thing and a rotisserie chicken — sorry, no turkey or ham here.
The total before tax for this entire meal comes out to $16.57 with one canned vegetable and $17.07 with two. The most expensive item here is the main dish, but even that isn’t unreasonable compared to the normal Thanksgiving meats.
There’s also no shame in using Great Value products. You’re eating either way and ultimately saving money most of the time. I even find that sometimes their products actually taste better than the name-brand items.
What would make this Friendsgiving meal even easier is if you made it potluck style and assigned each guest something to bring, whether that be food or drinks.
If you’re feeling really festive and choose to decorate your space, I’d recommend a Dollar Tree visit. It’s a cheap alternative to spending far too much money at Target for items you’ll likely only use once.
They’ve got cheap paper plates and cutlery as well as seasonal décor. Can’t go wrong by being budget-friendly.
Ultimately, Friendsgiving is about spending time with the people you care about most. It doesn’t have to be gourmet or fancy. When you’re with the right people, the meal and décor will be the last thing on your mind.