The holidays are quickly approaching which means it soon will be time to lay down the textbooks and head home for some relaxation with family and friends. The holiday break is usually full of home cooked meals, which is exciting for college students because it isn’t ramen noodles or a TV dinner.Â
Before leaving for break, begin the holiday festivities by celebrating with your school friends by having a holiday dinner. A holiday dinner with friends is the perfect way to relieve stress during finals and eat great food while still on a college budget. Â
For the dinner have each friend bring a dish. Coordinate ahead of time what everyone is bringing so there is enough food to go around! The great part about dinner is that, because everyone is pitching in on the meal, it won’t break your bank. Encourage guests to check out the weekly ads at the local grocery stores for money saving promotions — there is nothing like a good buy one get one! The Sunday papers are also always full of great coupons! It’s amazing what a little coupon hunting can do; it can definitely make a big difference in the bill, which your friends will thank you for! A dish doesn’t have to be pricey to be delicious!  Â
This year my roommates and I had a holiday dinner and our whole meal was under $75, which we split four ways. Let the dinner be a time to enjoy the friendships you’ve formed while in college and an excuse to pig out on delicious food!
 The holiday dinner menu we had included:
- Herb Roasted Chicken
- Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
- Cornbread Stuffing
- Green Beans
- Apple Cranberry Crisp
- Pumpkin Bread
- Apple Pie with Ice creamÂ