Thanksgiving Celebrations Across 3 Diverse Budgets: from $530 Feasts to $2,600 Getaways

Thanksgiving, a cornerstone of American culture, can be celebrated in countless waysat home, in restaurants, with friends, family, or even abroad. However, rising food and travel expenses have made planning the holiday more challenging. This year, three Americans shared how much their celebrations cost, revealing a spectrum of experiences from simple home gatherings to international adventures.

Home Celebration with 13 Guests

One host welcomed 13 people and five dogs at home. Guests contributed dishes, while the main menu included turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts with pancetta, stuffed mushrooms, sausage stuffing, and baked ziti. A Costco membership was purchased for $65, with $161 spent on bulk ingredients. Specialty items from a butcher cost $75, and smaller groceries added $25. Additional treats included a $114 ham, plus coconut custard and pecan pies at $45 each.

Beverages

Alcohol expenses totaled $100, including Titos, Mr. Black, Kahlua, and ice for cocktails.

Decor and Preparation

To accommodate extra seating, folding tables and chairs cost $150. Additional decorations and new curtains added $75. The apartment was professionally cleaned for $200 prior to the event.

Unexpected Costs

A refrigerator malfunction required urgent repair, costing $500 for parts, labor, and two service visits.

Flying to Florida for Family Thanksgiving

Another individual flew to Florida to spend Thanksgiving with extended family and celebrate her fathers birthday.

Travel

Round-trip airfare was $400, booked months in advance. Airport transportation via Uber cost $70, and minor expenses at the airport, such as a water bottle, added $8.

Meals

Dinner for six in honor of her fathers birthday cost $430. Small grocery runs totaled $20.

Shopping

Online Black Friday and holiday deals led to purchases including boots, leggings, shirts, makeup, and gifts, totaling $200.

Irish Adventure Instead of Traditional Thanksgiving

A family of four skipped Thanksgiving at home in favor of a five-day trip to Ireland, enjoying local cuisine, pubs, and college tours.

Travel Expenses

Subway and AirTrain rides to the airport were minimal, while flights cost $575 per person. Cabs and train tickets added small, additional costs. Upon returning to New York, Uber fare was $100.

Accommodation

Hotels cost a total of $1,638, including one night in Dublin, one night in Galway, and three more nights back in Dublin.

Food and Drinks

Total spending on meals and beverages reached $1,066, including airport meals, breakfasts, pub dinners, pizza, and occasional splurges on Sichuan and Italian cuisine. Drinks and cocktails added another $150.

Entertainment and Shopping

Activities included a theater visit ($20 per ticket), tea purchases ($15), and a nose piercing for a child ($50). Souvenirs and minor shopping brought the total entertainment expenses to $145.

These three accounts highlight how Thanksgiving can vary dramatically in scale and cost, from a cozy home gathering to a lavish international holiday.

Analysis: The True Cost of Thanksgiving in 2023

Thanksgiving, a time for gratitude and celebration, has long been a central event in American culture. However, with rising food prices and the growing costs of travel, planning a Thanksgiving gathering has become more expensive than ever. Three distinct Thanksgiving experiences—home celebrations, family trips, and international travel—offer a glimpse into the diverse ways people are navigating these challenges in 2023.

The home celebration with 13 guests is a clear example of how expenses can accumulate quickly even for a relatively simple gathering. With bulk purchases for food, alcohol, and necessary decor, the costs add up. A surprising refrigerator repair also highlights the unpredictability of holiday expenses. Despite these challenges, the host managed to keep the event enjoyable and within reach financially by sharing costs with guests.

On the other hand, flying to Florida for family Thanksgiving reflects the considerable travel costs involved in a holiday celebration. The $400 airfare, combined with transportation and meal expenses, underscores the financial burden that many Americans now face just to spend time with family. While there are some savings through advanced planning, the total costs still reflect the growing price of travel in today’s economy.

Lastly, the family who chose to skip the traditional Thanksgiving and travel to Ireland illustrates how travel and entertainment can significantly impact the holiday budget. With a total of $1,066 spent on food and drinks alone, the trip provides a sharp contrast to the more modest home gatherings. While the experience may have been more enriching in terms of cultural exploration, the financial outlay for such an adventure is significant and likely unattainable for many households.

In conclusion, these three different Thanksgiving experiences serve as a reminder that the celebration, while deeply rooted in tradition, is increasingly costly. Whether celebrating at home or traveling abroad, managing the financial impact requires careful planning and, in some cases, a willingness to adapt the holiday to changing circumstances.

Sources:

• From $530 feasts to $2,600 getaways: What Thanksgiving looked like for 3 very different budgets