Thanksgiving by the Numbers: How America Eats, Spends, and Celebrates

18th Nov 2024

Thanksgiving is more than turkey and football. It shows how America spends, travels, and celebrates one of its most loved holidays. Thanksgiving gatherings, family visits, and home decorating reveal much about consumer habits and economic trends. We have looked at what Thanksgiving spending looks like this year, and how it compares to the last few years.

What Do People Spend On For Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving spending primarily revolves around two key areas:

Food: Classic holiday staples like turkey, stuffing, and other traditional dishes take center stage at Thanksgiving tables across the country.
Travel: For many, Thanksgiving is synonymous with reuniting with loved ones, which often means incurring significant travel expenses, including flights, gas, and accommodations.

These two categories highlight the heart of the holiday: shared meals and cherished moments with family and friends.

Thanksgiving Dinner Spending

Inflation and supply chain snags have influenced the price of the classic Thanksgiving dinner but in 2024 it will be cheaper by almost $4 versus last year.

Here’s how prices for key items have changed:

Item	2020 Price ($)	2021 Price ($)	2022 Price ($)	2023 Price ($)	2024 Price ($)	19-24 increase
16-pound turkey	19.39	23.99	28.96	27.35	25.67	32.4%
Pumpkin pie mix, 30 oz.	3.39	3.64	4.28	4.44	4.15	22.4%
Milk, 1-gallon whole	3.08	3.3	3.84	3.74	3.21	4.2%
1-pound veggie tray (carrots & celery)	0.73	0.82	0.88	0.9	0.84	15.1%
Misc. ingredients	3.09	3.45	4.13	3.95	3.75	21.4%
Rolls, 12	2.66	3.05	3.73	3.84	4.16	56.4%
Pie shells (2)	2.42	2.91	3.68	3.5	3.4	40.5%
Green peas, 1 lb.	1.46	1.54	1.9	1.88	1.73	18.5%
Fresh cranberries, 12 oz.	2.69	2.98	2.57	2.1	2.35	-12.6%
Whipping cream, ½ pint	1.74	1.78	2.24	1.73	1.81	4.0%
Cubed stuffing, 14 oz.	3.44	3.56	3.96	3.97	2.93	-14.8%
Sweet potatoes, 3 lbs.	2.81	2.29	3.88	3.77	4.08	45.2%
TOTAL Classic Thanksgiving Dinner	46.9	53.31	64.05	61.17	58.08	23.8%

Compared to 2019, the cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner has increased by 18.8%, with key items like rolls and pie shells showing significant price hikes due to inflation and rising wheat costs. Turkey, the largest contributor to the meal’s cost, has increased by $4.87 since 2019, despite a 6.1% decrease in price this year.

In 2024, the cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner has reduced by $3.09 compared to 2023. This shows early signs of price stabilization following the post-COVID inflation spike.

Spending Variations on Thanksgiving Dinner by Region

Meal costs vary across the country in keeping with local economic conditions:

	Classic Meal Cost ($) (2022)	Expanded Meal Cost ($) (2022)	Classic Meal Cost ($) (2023)	Expanded Meal Cost ($) (2023)	Classic Meal Cost ($) (2024)	Expanded Meal Cost ($) (2024)
Midwest	58.66	81.83	64.26	81.53	58.9	83.04
South	59.1	82.61	58.42	74.9	56.81	81.07
West	63.89	87.75	71.37	88.55	67.81	94.09
Northeast	64.38	88.43	64.02	82.76	57.36	81.37

The South consistently has the lowest meal costs, with 2024 prices averaging $56.81. The West, at $67.81, remains the most expensive region for a Thanksgiving dinner, driven by higher transportation and labor costs.

Regional differences reflect broader economic factors, including local food prices, wage trends, and supply chain dynamics. While costs have eased in some areas, they remain well above pre-pandemic levels across the board.

Economic Implications of Spending at Thanksgiving

Changes in the economy also have an impact on how much is spent on Thanksgiving. During the COVID-19 pandemic, travel and large gatherings were limited. So, spending shifted from traditional items. For example, high inflation caused food prices to rise sharply in 2021 and 2022. This forced many families to seek cheaper options or reduce their gatherings. Higher production and transportation costs worsened this. It tightened holiday budgets for many.

Thanksgiving Gift Spending

According to a survey carried out in January 2024, Around 45% expect to spend over $100 on gifts this Thanksgiving holiday, and 55% expect to spend less than $100. This also makes Thanksgiving the highest-spending holiday in terms of gifts, only behind Christmas and Hannukah.

Category Breakdown of Thanksgiving Expenses

Food: The cost of the classic Thanksgiving dinner rose from $48.91 in 2019 to $61.17 in 2023. Key items such as cubed stuffing rose 48.1%, an illustration of the impact of inflation and supply chain issues on more mundane grocery items.
Travel: Travel spending has been rebounding since the height of the pandemic, according to a study. In 2024, round-trip flights will average $298, up 10% compared to 2023, and 3% higher than before the pandemic. This further adds to the concern when it comes to the cost of living costs, with the cost of visiting family during the festive season increasing.

Insights from Google Trends

This chart using Google Trends data showing the current state of changing consumer interests over time. From 2020 onwards, the search interest for “Thanksgiving dinner cost” has gradually increased, as people’s concerns about the cost of living have also increased.

America’s Favorite Thanksgiving Desserts

Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without dessert, and pumpkin pie reigns supreme as the nation’s favorite. However, regional preferences add a flavorful twist to the celebration. In the South, sweet potato pie takes the top spot, particularly in states like Mississippi, showcasing the diversity of holiday traditions.

Pumpkin Pie Dominates: The dominant dessert across the nation is the Pumpkin Pie. Sweet Potato Pie, however, remains the most popular choice across the south of the country, particularly in Mississippi.

Thanksgiving Decorations

When it comes to Thanksgiving decorations, regional differences paint a vivid picture of how Americans celebrate. Northeastern states like New York and Maine lead the way in creating festive atmospheres, with elaborate table settings and autumn-themed decor. In contrast, states like North Dakota show less enthusiasm for decorating, focusing more on the meal and gathering itself. These trends highlight how cultural and regional values influence holiday traditions.

Which states decorate the most: The Northeastern states of New York and Maine take first place when it comes to Thanksgiving decorations. The people of North Dakota on the other hand, don’t take such a keen interest.

Sources

Holiday data was taken from Statista and data on the cost of Thanksgiving dinner is based on a meal for 10 people. The data was taken from the yearly American Farm Bureau Federation reports on Thanksgiving dinner costs. Google Trends was used to collect data related to search terms.

Fair Use

Usage of the content is allowed with credit by linking back to this page.