For the average American household, Thanksgiving is the quintessential family gathering.
At its heart, it is simply the coming together of loved ones around a home-cooked banquet in the spirit of gratitude to share precious time – not gifts – with one another.
This makes it one of the few major holidays that have not been totally ruined by consumerism. (I’m looking at you, Christmas.)
But that doesn’t make Thanksgiving a cheap holiday for American families.
As simple as the occasion may be, these days, it’s becoming increasingly costly to enjoy a Turkey Day feast. While there’s been some relief lately – with food costs dropping 5% from 2023 – the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner remains around 19% above 2019 prices.
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s data shows that a classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 people now costs $58.08, down from $61.17 in 2023 and $64.05 in 2022. However, this modest decline doesn’t erase the dramatic increases of recent years.
Let’s put things into perspective and consider the nominal cost of a standard Thanksgiving dinner and the “real” (or inflation-adjusted) cost over time.
Looking at the Farm Bureau’s data, while the nominal price has risen to $58.08, the inflation-adjusted cost is around $18.40. This suggests that the real burden of the meal has remained relatively stable over decades.
The component parts that were factored into this year’s survey represent a standard list of “classic” food items, including a 16-pound turkey ($25.67), stuffing ($4.08), pie crusts ($3.40), whipping cream ($1.81), peas ($1.73), dinner rolls ($4.16), and other essentials.
Notably, some items saw significant price decreases this year, such as sweet potatoes (down 26.2%) and whole milk (down 14.3%), while others increased, like dinner rolls (up 8.4%) and cranberries (up 11.8%).
You can be the judge of how accurate it really is. Personally, I think a few items are missing here. (Where are the collard greens, the ham, and the all-important mac and cheese?!)
Though interestingly, the Farm Bureau does track an “updated” dinner that includes ham, Russet potatoes, and green beans, bringing the total to $77.34.
While recent price decreases are encouraging, the impact of inflation remains significant since the beginning of the pandemic. And while some families may hardly notice the changes in prices, others might see a palpable difference in what gets placed on the dining room table this year.
That’s why gratitude should be the true centerpiece on Thanksgiving. It’s not about how much money is spent but the time we spend together.