• SITE NATIONAL
  • QUÉBEC
  • NOUVEAU-BRUNSWICK

As many people talk about how much they will spend on gifts this holiday season, we forget about another costly factor right in yShaving Costs From Your Pocket Bookour kitchen. Hosting parties, and having family and friends over for a festive meal, or an evening of laughter can both put a dent in your pocket book.

Here are some easy ways to save you and your household money while still enjoying the company of others:

  • Go potluck style. Assign a food category to your attending guests as the food selection will not only be a surprise, but may bring in new tasting that you were not even aware of.
  • Cheese can be an expensive appetizer. Try making a veggie tray or garnish popcorn with the flavours season.
  • Buy vegetables that are in season. This time of year many root vegetables like squash tend to go on sale quite often.
  • Make more items from scratch. Instead of buying already washed and cut up green beans, buy them freestyle and do the physical labor yourself. Your kids might come in handy to help out too.
  • When making a stuffing, skip the nuts and add more vegetables and fruit. They bring moisture, flavour and more fiber too.
  • Bananas are cheap. Think of doing a dessert around bananas. Maybe a caramel drizzled banana bread, honey banana bread pudding, or foiled banana stuffed with chocolate and marshmallow. Mmmm.
  • Guests give off body heat. Turn your thermostat down a degree or two as the love everyone will keep you all warm.
  • And lastly – conserve the leftovers as they often make great sandwiches, addition to soups and stews, chili or hot casseroles.

Enjoy the holidays and New Year’s Season!

Karla Heintz (BSc) Nutrition Educator and Author of ‘Picky! Not Me Mom! A parents’ guide to children’s nutrition.

www.karlaheintz.com