If you're preparing the Thanksgiving meal for friends or family you'll be happy to know that there are things you can do to save money. By following these tips, you can have a wonderful holiday meal without spending a lot.

1. Look for a free turkey.
Many grocery stores offer a free turkey with a certain amount of groceries purchased. You can also find rebates on turkeys from specific brands. Local agencies and the United Way also have free turkey programs available. Ask around and you'll be surprised with what kind of deals you can find.

2. Suggest a potluck dinner.
If you provide the turkey for the meal and everyone brings a side dish, it definitely lowers your costs. The practice is becoming more and more common, especially with families. Assign each person a portion of the meal. Not only will you save money, but everyone at the party will feel involved in the meal.

3. Have your guests RSVP.
Although leftovers are a hallmark of every Thanksgiving dinner, you don't want to spend too much at the grocery store buying for guests who won't be there. Confirm your guests a few weeks ahead of time so you know exactly how much food you need to prepare.

4. Shop smart.
Start shopping for canned foods, such as yams and vegetables, early. You can make a lot of different side dishes from inexpensive canned foods. They often go on sale in the weeks prior to Thanksgiving. Stock up so you can make Thanksgiving dinner as well as a few other inexpensive meals in the holiday season.

You can also shop smart by clipping coupons for your holiday shopping. A lot of stores offer double or triple coupons on specific days. Call the grocery stores in your area to see where you can get the best deal. With coupons, you can significantly cut the costs of your holiday meal. Printable grocery coupons are becoming more prevalent online as well, and that can save you time with locating and clipping coupons because you only print the coupons you plan to use.

5. Keep your meal simple.
If you're trying to host a frugal holiday dinner, this isn't the year to try truffle whipped potatoes or gold leaf chocolate cake. Even if you're not planning anything so extravagant, make sure to use familiar ingredients and cook from scratch as much as you can. A store bought pumpkin pie can cost three times as much as one made at home. Cook what you can and use the expensive substitutes only if you are crunched for time.

6. Decorate on the cheap.
If you need some decorations to make your table more festive, don't step foot inside a department store! Head to your local Dollar Tree or other similar discount store and you'll be impressed with what you'll find. You can pick up inexpensive toys to entertain the kids, holiday dish towels and even serving plates. Take a look at the selection of nuts and party mix there as well to round out your holiday meal.