COLUMN: Cost-saving tips for the holiday meals

Today, as I sit here writing this column, the snow has already begun to fall, and it is feeling a lot like winter. It is that time of year where we are in the thick of all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It is that time of year where we get together with family and friends. We would like for you to be safe over this holiday season and would like to help in any way we can. If you have questions or would like classes on nutrition, stress management, budgeting or food safety over the holidays, or any time, reach out and let me know.

Here are some tips from the University of Minnesota Extension for how to plan your holiday meals with the ever-rising costs at the grocery stores this season:

Families may be worried about how inflation will impact their holiday meal plans with increased prices.

As the holiday season unfolds, families may be worried about how inflation will affect their holiday plans with increased prices for festivities, gifts and especially holiday meals.

If you're worried about inflation when preparing a meal throughout this season, consider the following tips from Susie West, Extension health and nutrition educator:

What guidance do you have for people when preparing their holiday meals this season?

Plan your menu in advance and split up your holiday grocery purchases across several visits so you don't end up with a huge grocery bill for special holiday purchases on top of your usual shopping, grabbing some canned, frozen or shelf-stable ingredients well in advance of your holiday meals can also help you spread out the cost of the holiday meal. It can be a really great opportunity to reassess traditions and reconsider what food items we make each year but don't get eaten or those we just don't enjoy!

One of my favorite holiday meal traditions that my family changed was opting for each family to bring a soup to the gathering instead of doing the typical holiday spread. It was so fun to try a bunch of different types of soups, have even if the chili competition one year, which was a blast. It was also spread out the cost of the meal more evenly since everyone was tasked with bringing something comparable.

I'd like to acknowledge that sometimes holiday traditions like these are difficult to adjust, change or reconsider because of cost. Also, some holiday traditions and foods may be too important to alter. I would encourage folks to see if their food assistance programs like they need it. Most food shelves offer traditional holiday meal sides this time of year, and how can families share a comforting and nutritious meal with their loved ones that is cost-effective?

Some of my fondest memories of the holidays are not about eating the food, but revolve around the preparation of the food and bringing up afterward. Yes, the meal is important, but when the leftovers are gone, the memories of making that meal will remain.

I will never forget making biscotti soup with my Grandma Jane on Christmas Eve, listening to "The Nutcracker" while trying my hand at cracking walnuts with Grandpa Paul or helping with dishwashing competitions with my cousins after everyone was finished eating.

I would encourage families to take an active part in making meals together, dancing, singing, making messes and cleaning up together.

Becoming programs with Purdue Extension-Health and Human Sciences:

Dec. 9, Strategies for Estate Planning, 6 p.m., at the Owen County-Purdue Extension Office. Learn about estate planning goals, the difference in wills and trusts, advance directives and their importance, and organizing your important life matter.

Dec. 10, Empower Me to be Clutter Free, 2 p.m., at the Owen County-Purdue Extension Office. The new year is approaching and you can start it off with more organization. Creating order in your living space will bring some order to many different areas of your life.

Dec. 12, Parents Forever, 5:30 p.m., at the Owen County-Purdue Extension Office. This is an education program for families experiencing divorce, separation, a change in child custody or just wanting to learn how to parent better together.

Jan. 21, Dining with Diabetes, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Heritage Baptist Church in Coal City. This is a series of four classes and the participation fee has been paid for everyone by the Owen County Health Department (dates for Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11).

Feb. 25, Matter of Balance, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Heritage Baptist Church in Coal City. Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities. A Matter of Balance is an award-winning evidence-based fall prevention program designed to help older adults manage their concerns about falls and increase activity levels to help meets on Tuesdays, Feb. 25 through April 15, 2025).

Come and join these wonderful programs! Please pre-register for these programs by calling 812-829-5020 or emailing me at lowder@purdue.edu.