Tips to make holiday dinners more affordable
“E
at, drink and be merry" is a familiar refrain come the
season. Hosting a holiday dinner is a great way to welcome family and friends and encourage them to embrace the festive nature of the season. However, the high cost of foods and other essentials may have certain holiday hosts rethinking their menus and their guest lists this year.
Stretching holiday entertaining dollars comes down to being savvy. With that in mind, hosts can consider these meal modification strategies this holiday season.
you may have had one holiday dinner idea in mind, once you see what the stores are putting on sale you can stock up on those items and build the dinner around them. If you find a good deal several weeks away from the holidays, buy the items and freeze them until they're needed.
· Buy generic or store brands. Chances are no one will notice if you use generic or store brand ingredients, which can be considerably cheaper than their brand-name counterparts. Many are even manufactured in the same facilities that produce the name brand stuff.
· Replace a high-cost protein with a more affordable alternative. Sometimes a holiday meal calls for pulling out all of the stops, and that may mean spending more on a special main dish. Rather than a luxury like beef tenderloin or prime rib roast, consider a less expensive dish, such as a pork tenderloin, roasted chicken or even seafood.
· Add extra side dishes. Incorporate an inexpensive item like rice, beans or an extra vegetable side dish into the meal so that plates can be filled with the less expensive foods and fewer high-cost items.
· Shop the sales. Plan meals around a supermarket circular. While
· Make an affordable drink. Alcohol costs can add up when you try to cater to everyone's tastes and preferences. Make one or two bulk drinks, like a holiday punch or signature cocktail, so you can keep alcohol costs in check.
· Stretch the snacks. Instead of a charcuterie board filled with expensive cheeses and meats, opt for dips and raw vegetables or a low-cost cheese ball made with cream cheese and herbs with crackers. Keep snacks to a minimum; otherwise, guests may fill up and then not have room for dinner. Holiday hosts can embrace various strategies to save money on family meals this season.
ANSWERS
How to make a home welcoming for holiday guests
Millions of individuals travel to see family and friends during the holiday season. The automotive group AAA estimated that roughly 115 million travelers planned to travel 50 miles or more during the 2023 year-end holiday travel period, which the organization defined as a 10-day window that began on December 23 and ended on New Year’s Day.
The 2024 holiday season figures to be just as busy for travelers as 2023, and many of those individuals will accept the hospitality of loved ones while away from home. Holiday hosts can embrace these strategies as they prepare to welcome guests in the weeks ahead.
• Clear clutter from working spaces. The pandemic sparked some lasting changes, including a greater number of professionals working from home. Some do so part-time while others have become fully remote workers. That shift has led many homeowners to transform guest rooms or pockets of shared living spaces into home offices, which can make a residence feel a little more cramped once guests arrive. Declutter these spaces prior to guests’ arrival so they have ample room to relax and maneuver in guest rooms and to ensure there’s no shortage of seating or room to spread out in shared spaces like living rooms or dens.
• Provide some guest room creature comforts. Some creature comforts in the guest room can make guests feel right at home. A smartphone charging dock on a bedside
A clutter-free guest room is one way for hosts to make spaces more welcoming for guests this holiday season.
nightstand is a nice touch that allows guests to keep their chargers tucked into their luggage, ensuring they won’t be forgotten when the time comes to return home. A scent diffuser in the guest room is another nice touch that can help travel-weary guests relax and unwind during their stay. A small handful of books and magazines left on a guest room dresser so guests have some nighttime reading material is another welcoming gesture that can make them feel right at home.
• Ask ahead about food allergies. Cooking is a big part of holiday hosting, as the dinner table is a relaxing setting to catch up with loved ones. Prior to planning a holiday hosting menu, hosts can reach out to guests and ask if they have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions. This small gesture lets guests know hosts are thinking of them even before they arrive, which can establish the welcoming vibe hosts are aiming for.
• Designate a guests-only bathroom, if possible. If hosts’ homes have multiple full bathrooms, designate one exclusively for guests during their stay. This gesture affords guests some privacy that they’re sure to appreciate. Parents can explain this gesture to kids before guests arrive so there’s no confusion during their stay.
As individuals prepare to welcome loved ones into their homes this holiday season, they can embrace various strategies to welcome their guests and ensure their stay is comfortable and relaxing.
The ultimate playlist for the right holiday season vibe
Sby Louie Armstrong
• “The First Noel,” by the cast of “Glee”
• “Happy Holiday,” by Peggy Lee
• “O Tannenbaum,” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio
• “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus,” by the Brian Setzer Orchestra
taying home for the holidays can make the season a little more convenient, saving celebrants from having to contend with the millions of individuals who take to the roads, railways and friendly skies each December. But staying home comes with its fair share of obligations, especially for individuals who are planning holiday get-togethers with family and friends.
• “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” by Mariah Carey
• “Santa Baby,” by Eartha Kitt
Mood and merrymaking go hand in hand come the holiday season, and music can be used to establish a celebratory vibe this time of year. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or simply aspring to create a festive atmosphere throughout the month of December, the following songs can help set the right tone this year.
• “Sleigh Ride,” by Ella Fitzgerald
• “Mele Kalikimaka,” by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters
• “Blue Christmas,” by Elvis Presley
• “Frosty the Snowman,” by Gene Autry
• “The Christmas Song,” by Gregory Porter
• “Jingle Bell Rock,” by Bobby Helms
• “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” by Frank Sinatra
• “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
• “Deck the Halls,” by Nat King Cole
• “Jingle Bells,” by Kimberley Locke
• “Silver Bells,” by Tony Bennett, featuring Count Basie and His Big Band
• “Fairytale of New York,” by The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl
• “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” by Burl Ives
• “Here Comes Santa Claus,” by Elvis Presley
• “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” by Diana Krall
• “White Christmas,” by Bing Crosby
• “Winter Wonderland,”
• “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” by Dean Martin and Marilyn Maxwell
• “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” by The Ray Coniff Singers
These are just some of the songs that can make up a merry and festive holiday season playlist.
Coloring Contest
Contest open to all ages. Pictures will not be returned and will become property of this newspaper. Winners will be announced in the December 26th and 27th issues of Bayside Gazette and OC Today-Dispatch. Decision of judges is final. There will be three age categories: Ages 3-6 / Ages 7-11/ Ages 12 & up.
A $25 Gift Card will be awarded to one winner in each category. Deadline: December 23, 2024 at 12 noon.
Mail or drop off your entry form and colored page at: OC Today-Dispatch Newspaper, 11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, MD 21842
The holiday season is a time of year when shopping takes center stage
While online giants and big box retailers seem to be everywhere, small businesses provide a range of benefits that go far beyond the ease of a mouse click. Shopping local retailers is more than just a transaction, it is
crucial for maintaining the economic foundation of local communities. Let’s take a look at the many ways it pays to shop small businesses during the holidays and all year long.
Strengthen the local economy: A large percentage of the money
spent at small businesses stays in the community. That’s because these businesses often are owned and operated by local residents who are invested in the community themselves. Various studies indicate that for every $100 spent at a small business, roughly $70 stays in the community. Enhanced customer service: Owners and employees of small businesses have a keen interest in keeping customers happy. They often do so by providing superior customer service. Tailoring recommendations, exhibiting a willingness to accommodate special requests, offering a more engaging shopping experience, and being more friendly and connected with regular customers sets many small businesses apart.
Support the community: Small businesses serve the community through the products and services they offer, and many give back in other ways as well. Small, locally owned businesses often sponsor schools,
sports teams and charities. This helps foster a sense of belonging in the community.
Innovative offerings: Small businesses are not beholden to corporate policies or franchise restrictions, so they can more readily bring new life to existing ideas and trends. Small businesses can offer customers different options that larger retailers cannot match.
Job creation: Small businesses employ a significant percentage of the workforce and frequently provide jobs that might not be available in larger corporate settings. The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy says small businesses have generated 12.9 million net new jobs over the past 25 years. Keeping residents working helps strengthen local communities. Help to establish a more resilient, diverse and bustling local community. Shop small this holiday season.
