The holidays can be a stressful and expensive time of the year. In the midst of shopping, cleaning, and decorating, it can be easy to miss out on the joy and cheer Thanksgiving can bring as we gather with family and friends. Here are a few tips that might help make your Thanksgiving less of a strain on your wallet, and more of a simple celebration of thanks.

Do-It-Yourself Decorations:

Having a charmingly decorated home for Thanksgiving dinner definitely adds to the holiday ambiance, but buying decorations can be costly. By making your own decorations, you can save a lot of money while still producing a nicely decorated space.

Use pinecones, nuts, and leaves to bring some fall colors into your home. Fill jars, make garlands, make wreathes, or use them in center pieces. String leaves on clear string and hang them from the ceiling for a new layer of décor. Spray painting leaves and pine cones also makes for a fun DIY decoration. This is an especially good option since these objects are biodegradable and disposable, and you won’t have to store them.

Cranberries have the benefit of being beautiful and tasty, so you can use them all over your home during the holidays. Put cranberries in glass jars with a small candle, wheat, or fall flowers to create a beautiful accent piece. Add cranberries to your drinks for a pretty garnish.

Pumpkins and gourds are iconic symbols of fall, and they generally go on sale soon after Halloween. Place small ones strategically as part of accent pieces or center pieces. Buy inexpensive candlesticks at garage sales, thrift stores, or dollar stores; spray paint them gold and place a pumpkin on top. You can even spray paint your pumpkins!

Buy rolls of burlap ribbon from the dollar store and use it to tie a bow around your silverware. A napkin ring can be used in the same fashion.

For a placemat, use butcher paper and write the names of each guest. You can also write an “I am thankful for…” prompt and let your guests describe what they are thankful for right on their placemats.

If you have children around, let them get involved! Paper turkeys made out of a child’s handprint are priceless- literally.

Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas for Less:

If you are hosting a large dinner with family and friends, have a fun “bring your own dish” celebration. This takes a lot of pressure off of the host.

Take a look at what dishes have been less popular historically. If you always make a green bean casserole in honor of tradition, but it never gets eaten, you could probably cut that dish out this year.

Prepare for your dinner in advance. This not only helps take the stress off any last-minute shopping sprees to fight for the last turkey, but you can also shop around for the best deals. Many grocery stores will throw in a free or steeply discounted turkey with your other food purchases. Watch for these deals.

Buy produce that is in season.

Try to keep it simple. It is tempting to make extravagant meals with the most expensive ingredients to give your guests a great experience, but this isn’t necessary. Your family and friends will be happy to simply enjoy a good meal with people they love.

Make your own pie crusts- this can be a lot cheaper, not to mention more delicious! These can even be made in advance and freezed.

Don’t prepare more food than you will consume. If you can get a headcount, you will have a pretty good idea of how much food to make. Leftovers are great, but will go to waste if you are left with too much.

Speaking of leftovers, make sure you plan ahead for yours! You can make all kinds of great meals with your Thanksgiving leftovers.

Use real dishes instead of tacking on that extra expense for disposable. It is unnecessary, and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to break out those nice dishes.

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, make sure that planning and worrying about your holiday is not getting in the way of celebrating it with the people you love. Happy Thanksgiving!