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With the holidays quickly approaching, you might be planning a holiday party. A significant component of hosting a party is preparing the meal, but the burden of hefty costs might be stressful for many households. The price of food increased by 9.7 percent within a year, and Canadians now have to pay much more for basic food staples, such as meat, fresh fruit, and vegetables. The rising costs in other areas also make it challenging for Canadians to budget money for food, which can further become a challenge during the holidays.

The right strategies will reduce costs and allow you to enjoy a satisfying holiday meal with your loved ones. Here are a few tips to help you plan a holiday meal on a limited budget.

Streamline the Menu

Planning an extensive menu with a wide assortment of items might look appealing on the dining table, but it can be overwhelming to prepare. From shopping for the items to paying for groceries and preparing the meals, preparing a large menu can be exhausting.

Create a reasonable plan by streamlining the menu for the holidays. Choose one or two popular mains, a few sides, and one or two desserts to reduce the cost of ingredients and lower your stress. If you’re concerned about the interests and limitations of your guests, consider creating an invitation and asking everyone to mention their food allergies or dietary preferences to ensure that your menu accommodates all guests instead of preparing too many substitute dishes.

Set a Reasonable Budget

Your budget will determine how much you may need to spend per guest and your overall cost for the holiday meal. You can set a total cost for the ingredients or a budget per guest, depending on what works better for you.

Creating a reasonable budget will help you plan your meals and determine how much of your income or savings you may need to spend. It might be challenging to cover the costs with your income or savings if you’re hosting many people. In that case, consider getting a short-term loan to reduce your stress. Look for lenders offering installment loans in Canada with reasonable terms that don’t add any more burden to your shoulders. This also allows you to use the funds on other holiday costs, such as gifts and decorations.

Look for Savings When Shopping

Many grocery stores offer sales on items during the weeks leading up to Christmas or New Year’s Eve. Take advantage of these sales and stretch your dollar over the holidays to plan a meal within a limited budget. Look for sales, markdowns, coupons, or other savings tactics to reduce spending. This may involve opting for items you don’t usually purchase or looking for alternative brands of your go-to ingredient.

Keep Your Menu Seasonal

Seasonal produce is generally less expensive than off-season items shipped from other climates. For instance, it might be better to serve winter produce such as brussels sprouts, collards, and apples instead of zucchini or watermelons.

You can maintain the quality of your holiday meal on a limited budget. The right strategies can help you craft a delicious meal while reducing hefty costs.