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
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
December 16
December 17
December 18
Pasta with Meat Sauce
Salad
* use leftover spaghetti sauce
December 19
December 20
Breakfast For Dinner
* bacon and eggs and pancakes
December 21
Sloppy Joes
Sweet Potato Fries
Corn
December 22
Leftovers
December 23
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
December 30
Leftovers
December 31
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.
Love it
Help!! I cant find a printable recipe for the 20-minute tacos or the bean tostadas. Can you help? I love your website.