Thanksgiving is about being thankful and spending time with friends and family...and the thing we are most thankful for. The food. All of that extra cooking and baking, however, can lead to a real post-season letdown after you see the added cost on your energy bill.

These simple, cost-saving tips will help you enjoy the festivities while trimming your energy budget:

1. Preheating Preheat the oven to the exact temperature required; preheating is not necessary for foods that cook for several hours.

2. Bag Your Bird Try making your turkey in an oven safe plastic bag. The bag does a great job at locking in juices and flavour, and it reduces the cook time by at least five minutes per pound.

3. Check the Window If you've got an oven window, take advantage of it! Opening the oven door wastes energy and lowers the temperature by as much as 25°F.

4. Swap Out Your Dishes Glass and ceramic baking dishes retain heat better than metal. If you cook with glass or ceramic dishes, you can reduce the oven temperature by 25°F.

5. Bake Together Conserve energy by baking several batches of cookies, or more than one pie, at a time.

6. Try a No-Bake Recipe No-bake desserts have all the homemade love, with a whole lot less energy usage. It also can usually be made ahead of time and save you the time in the kitchen.

7. Match the Pan to the Burner For stovetop cooking, match the size of the pan to the size of the burner; using a small pan on a large burner wastes energy.

8. Cover Your Pans Keep pots and pans covered to prevent heat loss and reduce cooking time.

9. Keep Burners Clean Clean burners after every use. A clean burner heats more efficiently, using less energy.

10. Trust Your Dishwasher Energy Star Certified dishwashers typically save hundreds of gallons of water over hand washing annually. Time to load up your dishwasher and save time and energy!

Incorporate these energy-saving tips into your Thanksgiving feast for a budget-friendly celebration. From preheating wisely to using oven-safe bags and matching pan sizes, these simple changes can make a big difference. By being mindful of your energy usage, you not only enjoy a tasty meal but also save on your energy bills. Have a happy and efficient Thanksgiving!