Be11a Lefevre Bunny Swan

I usually get nervous this time of year because I'm low on money (only about $300) and I need to find a way to feed my family for Thanksgiving (6-10 people will probably show-up for dinner). I really need your help in getting quick, easy, or cheap Thanksgiving ideas on food, drink, decorating,etc..

Last night I watched Martha Stewart .. She had this cute idea of making Turkey shaped coloring booklets with crayon packets and fall season silhouettes on their table runner/side border for the kids' table.

Siyu Suen

Run out to a craft store and see if they have any more fall themed swags left from Halloween. Anything still there is deeply discounted, and you can get some beautiful thing that are totally appropriate for Nov but are 80% off. You can also hit up fabric stores, same deal but they also sometimes have colorful cloth like stretch/panne velvets in golds and reds and sage greens. They are maybe $5 per yard but look luscious and rich as tablecloths and curtains, plus they're machine washable.

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I'm attempting to bring about the end of the world to usher in a new era of mask wielding overlords. This is how!

Trout Recreant

OK - so here's an idea Oryx and I cooked up (hah! get it? cooked up?)

Take a turkey hot dog. Or a slab of turkey breast. Make a batted by adding something (maybe beer and a little flour?) to leftover stuffing. Put the turkey on a stick, dip it in the batter and deep fry it. Serve with cranberry sauce on the side. We call it the Thanksgiving dog. I'm pretty sure it would go over really well with the rednecks.

We haven't had the guts to work out an actual recipe or even try it yet, but someday, I will. If you make this for your family at Thanksgiving, you'll be my hero.

Be11a Lefevre Bunny Swan

Thanks! This would be fun for the kids!

I wonder if I should make strips and dip it into the batter too? Like a finger food?

Arilynn

There's a bunch of articles available about Thanksgiving on a budget. Here's one with some recipes (the same site has a few others): Link

That's all I got as I'm [WARNING: MASSIVE UNDERSTATEMENT AHEAD] not much of a cook or hostess. My Thanksgiving plans thus far include faking an illness so I can stay home and eat rice noodles with a ton of rooster sauce. I hope you find some great ideas.

Lily Joliat

we discussed this in an older thread, but if you go to ethnic markets, Mexican, Asian, or Mediterannean, you get produce for a lot cheaper. I was thinking if you had to get a lot of potatoes, sprouts, beans etc that would work well.
I made this dessert last year it may be pricey and not kid friendly because of the rum but it was certainly a treat: Super-Simple Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe at Epicurious.com

also here's a recipe for awesome cookies: Libbys Recipe: Pumpkin Orange Cookies - Very Best Baking - NESTLE Very Best Baking

don't know if this helps from I'm not too far from you and we have fruit trees if you or anyone wants lemons, limes or oranges give me a ring.

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Be11a Lefevre Bunny Swan

oooo I can't wait to view the link! I saw the pic of that yummy Thanksgiving dinner for $80 and it can feed up to 10 people! That's perfecto! But when I clicked for the recipes this happened.. (I'll check on it again in a few.. thanks again!)
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Thanks,
The Examiner.com Team

Trout Recreant

Strips would work, too. Like I said, we haven't actually tried this. The whole thing is still in the concept stage. We came up with the idea after spending the day at the state fair eating some of the most Godawful junk food imaginable (we made up for it by seeing Crosby Stills and Nash that evening!). The Corn Dog overload gave us strange ideas.

They will fry damn near everything at state fairs. I wonder why that is.

Frankly, my idea was to put a hard boiled egg on a stick, dip it in pancake batter and fry it, then call it an Easter Dog. Every time I suggest it, Oryx looks mildly nauseated. I'm pretty sure my Mom would consider it blasphemy of some sort or another, so I'll probably shelve that one.

The deep fried stick of dynamite for July 4 is also a non-starter, for "safety" reasons

Allana Dion

How far will your guests be traveling? My family will often plan a holiday potluck style. The host makes the main dish, like the turkey, and the rest of the guests each bring a side or a dessert. That way no one person spends a ton of money.

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blergh thing

Trout Rated!
Playful, yet sultry and smoky. I am giving you a 6.8 on the Trout Recreant Rating Scale of Sluttiness. Congratulations! You are not a slut, but given the right situation, you certainly have the potential.

Brig McD

I was going to say if all the people coming are local ask them to bring a dish. That takes some of the expense off of you.

Be11a Lefevre Bunny Swan

Well, the dinner will be at my aunts. I'll be helping her this year since her health is really bad this year. She lives in El Monte, CA. My cousins drive from Covina and West Covina. I'll be coming from Glendale. It's not really the distance that pose an issue. Just the traffic. Ugggg.

Allana Dion

Oh ok, well (I think?) you're the one driving the farthest. It sounds like you have even more reasons to suggest everyone bring something. It's at their sick Aunt's home. You don't even have to indicate it has anything to do with cost. Just, "Hey since we're all going over to Aunt ___'s house, I'll bring this and this and this and you guys bring that and that ok."

Anyway, just a thought. I hope it all goes well.

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blergh thing

Trout Rated!
Playful, yet sultry and smoky. I am giving you a 6.8 on the Trout Recreant Rating Scale of Sluttiness. Congratulations! You are not a slut, but given the right situation, you certainly have the potential.

Mocksoup Graves

ALDI has a special buy for the next few weeks.

Smoked Turkey for around 20 bucks for the whole bird. It's already precooked, so all you have to do is thaw it and warm it up in the microwave or oven. They also have spare turkey legs for around 4 dollars each in the refrigerated case.

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Trout Slut Rating : Boobie UPDATED to a 7! WOOT!
You are marginally a slut, but still all lady, and you know exactly when to cross that line. Congratulations and shame on you! You are a slut, but only in the best, most empowering and beautiful definition of the word.
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