Don’t wait until the new year to start saving money on your groceries! December’s menu includes a delicious Christmas dinner, and rings in at $257, leaving more wiggle room in your budget for Christmas gifts.

Over the past two years, I have shared a monthly menu that shares some of my favorite kid-friendly recipes that will save you time and the grocery store and keep your tummy and wallet full. And as the end of the year approaches, this is one of my favorite menus yet!

It is because all of your support, and sharing that makes me keep going, and keeps my menus fresh. The support of awesome readers like you, makes menu planning fun, and it gives me great pleasure, and warms my soul to read all of your comments about how my menus, and the time I spend on them helps you save money and sanity! There are so many times that I have read your comments, and it makes me cry happy tears because you’re so awesome.

Since Anthony started school, things have been crazy around here, especially with the holidays. Last month, I wasn’t able to find the time to create the weekly grocery lists and menus that I have been sharing, but that has changed, and things are back to normal. You can find the menu and grocery lists available in my Etsy Store for $2! The printable on Etsy comes with everything you need for a month of meal planning.

December 1

Pasta with Garlic and Oil

December 2

Homemade Chicken Nuggets (with hidden veggies)
Oven Baked French Fries
Corn

December 3

BBQ Meatloaf
Mashed Potatoes
Steamed Broccoli

December 4

CrockPot Spaghetti Sauce
Surprise Meatballs
* save and freeze leftover spaghetti sauce for meals later in the month

December 5

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

December 6

20-Minute Tacos
CrockPot Refried Beans
* freeze leftover beans for later in the month

December 7

Leftovers

December 8

Buffalo Chicken Strips
Celery and Homemade Ranch

December 9

Beef Stroganoff
Peas

December 10

Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Mixed Veggies

December 11

CrockPot Pot Roast with Veggies
Corn
* cook carrots and potatoes in crockpot with roast

December 12

Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Salad

December 13

Leftovers

December 14

Bean Toastadas
* use leftover refried beans

December 15

Homemade Ramen Noodles

December 16

Pierogies with Bacon

December 17

CrockPot Beef and Broccoli

December 18

Pasta with Meat Sauce
Salad
* use leftover spaghetti sauce

December 19

Egg Fried Rice

December 20

Breakfast For Dinner
* bacon and eggs and pancakes

December 21

Sloppy Joes
Sweet Potato Fries
Corn

December 22

Leftovers

December 23

Pizza Night!

December 24

Baked Ziti
*use leftover frozen spaghetti sauce

December 25

Merry Christmas!

Brined Turkey Breast
Herbed Mashed Potatoes
Glazed Carrots
Cranberry Sauce
Green Bean Casserole
Traditional Stuffing

December 26

Christmas Leftovers

December 27

Turkey Noodle Soup
*use leftover turkey

December 28

Shepherd’s Pie
* use leftover mashed potatoes
** save a few bucks and make turkey shepherd’s pie with leftover turkey

December 29

Polenta with Roasted Veggies

December 30

Leftovers

December 31

Stuffed Mushrooms

As we enter the new year, we’re entering a new year of menus. This being said, I want your opinions! What kind of dishes do you want to see on the monthly menus? Leave your answers in the comments below! Click on the links below for a FREE printable version of the monthly menu, grocery list and a recipe collection. For the weekly menu, grocery list and break down, visit my Etsy Store.