Thanksgiving is a celebration of family, gratitude, and food. But let’s be honest: hosting the big day can come with a serious price tag.
Whether you’re cooking for five or fifteen, the costs add up fast. And with 2025 prices creeping higher than ever, it’s no longer just about who brings the pumpkin pie—it’s about how to feed a crowd without draining your bank account.
We’ve broken down what hosting really costs this year—and what you can do to keep things festive, not financially stressful.
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What It Actually Costs to Host Thanksgiving in 2025
Let’s start with the numbers.
According to recent food price data from the USDA and retail trackers, the average cost of hosting Thanksgiving for 10 people in 2025 has jumped to $82–$95, depending on what’s on the table. That’s about a 7–10% increase from last year.
For larger gatherings (say, 15 or more), you’re looking at $120–$150+ if you’re covering everything from appetizers to dessert.
Here’s where the money typically goes:
- Turkey: $1.85–$2.10/lb (average 15-lb bird = $28–$32)
- Side Dishes: Stuffing mix, potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, etc. = $25–$35
- Desserts: Pies (store-bought or homemade ingredients) = $15–$25
- Drinks: Wine, sparkling cider, soda = $15–$30
- Decor and Disposable Items: Tablecloths, napkins, paper plates = $10–$20
And that’s assuming you’re not going organic, gluten-free, or gourmet. Add in those preferences, and the cost balloons fast.
How to Host Thanksgiving in a Small Apartment.
Now factor in non-food items—energy bills for extra oven time, last-minute grocery runs, or even furniture rentals if you’re short on chairs. It adds up before you even open the oven door.
Why It Feels More Expensive Than Ever
You’re not imagining it—hosting Thanksgiving feels more expensive now, even if you’re buying the same brands.
Inflation is a big reason. Grocery prices have risen steadily over the past few years, but 2025 saw particular spikes in poultry, dairy, and fresh produce. Add in lingering supply chain delays and seasonal shortages, and even basic ingredients like butter or eggs are still feeling the pinch.
Labor shortages have also driven up the price of prepared foods, catering, and even grocery delivery fees. So if you’re outsourcing any part of the meal this year, expect to pay a premium.
Another factor? Lifestyle creep. The pressure to make everything Pinterest-perfect—or match last year’s spread—can subtly push you to overspend. Fancy charcuterie boards, cocktail menus, upgraded centerpieces, and multiple dessert options might feel necessary now, but they’re not essentials.
How to Host Without Going Broke
You don’t need to sacrifice flavor or joy to save money. But you do need a plan. These strategies help cut costs without cutting corners.
1. Know Where to Be Generous (and Where to Scale Back)
People remember the turkey, the mashed potatoes, and the dessert. They don’t remember if you served two types of salad or offered four kinds of sparkling water.
Save on:
- Pre-meal snacks (keep it simple—pretzels, nuts, and cheese)
- Appetizers (one solid dip is enough)
- Multiple starches (pick either mashed potatoes or mac and cheese, not both)
Splurge on:
- A well-cooked main (turkey, ham, or plant-based roast)
- One show-stopping dessert
- Drinks (even if it’s just a $10 bottle of wine—it goes a long way)
2. Turn It Into a Potluck—Smartly
You don’t have to do everything alone. Hosting doesn’t mean cooking the whole menu from scratch. Make a short list of what you’re willing to provide (maybe the turkey and one side), then assign guests a category: drinks, dessert, veggie, etc.
To avoid duplicates or last-minute changes, create a shared doc or text chain where people can sign up for dishes. Be clear and specific—“dessert” can mean anything from cookies to apple pie, so give gentle suggestions.
People want to help. And bringing a dish is a lot cheaper than buying the whole meal yourself.
3. Shop Smarter, Not Harder
Don’t wait until the week of Thanksgiving to shop. Prices tend to spike closer to the holiday, especially for in-demand items like turkey, rolls, and canned pumpkin.
Instead, shop early and in stages.
- Non-perishables (stuffing mix, canned goods, spices) can be bought 2–3 weeks in advance
- Frozen items (turkey, pie crusts) should be grabbed as soon as sales hit
- Fresh produce and dairy can wait until the week of—but don’t push it past Tuesday
Also, compare prices using store apps. Many grocery chains list sale items and let you build a digital cart before you go.
Pro tip: Loyalty programs can offer holiday-specific discounts, and some stores even give away free turkeys if you spend a certain amount leading up to Thanksgiving.
4. Don’t Let Leftovers Go to Waste
One of the best parts of Thanksgiving? The leftovers. But if you’re throwing out half a tray of green bean casserole or tossing out an untouched pie, that’s money in the trash.
Make a plan for your leftovers:
- Send guests home with containers (you can buy a 10-pack of takeout containers for under $5)
- Schedule meals that reuse key ingredients: turkey sandwiches, soup, hash, even tacos
- Freeze what you won’t eat within three days—most sides and meats freeze well
If you know a certain dish rarely gets eaten (looking at you, third pie), skip it this year.
5. Scale to Fit Your Space (and Budget)
If you’re hosting in a smaller home or apartment, less really is more. Focus on intimacy over extravagance.
Instead of serving dinner at 4 p.m. with a full spread, host a Thanksgiving brunch or evening dessert-and-drinks gathering. People will still be full from their earlier meal, and you won’t need to provide a full dinner.
You could also host a themed potluck: think “Sidesgiving” where everyone brings their favorite side, or “Pie Night” where dessert is the main event. These formats are more affordable and often more fun.
6. Rethink Decorations
Decorations set the tone—but they don’t need to cost $100.
Use what you have:
- Fall-colored blankets or throws as tablecloths
- Mason jars or glass cups as candle holders
- Leaves, pinecones, or grocery store flowers as centerpieces
If you want to buy something, dollar stores or thrift shops usually carry seasonal items for cheap. Better yet—ask your guests if they have any décor they can bring.
The point is atmosphere, not aesthetic perfection.
7. Cook Strategically
Stretch your dollar in the kitchen.
- Stuffing: Use day-old bread instead of boxed mix. It’s cheaper and tastes better.
- Mashed potatoes: Buy in bulk and mash yourself. Skip pre-made.
- Gravy: Use drippings and flour instead of a jar or packet.
- Pie: One homemade pie can cost half as much as store-bought and feed just as many.
If you’re short on time or energy, prioritize what really matters. Make a few things from scratch, buy a few things pre-made. No one will notice if the cranberry sauce came from a can—unless you make a big deal about it.
The Emotional Cost of Overdoing It
Beyond the financial side, there’s something else people don’t talk about enough: the stress. Trying to do it all, impress everyone, and make it “perfect” can turn Thanksgiving into a job instead of a joy.
It’s okay to set boundaries. You don’t have to invite everyone. You don’t have to cook everything. You don’t need matching linens and artisan cheeses.
Focus on what matters: good food, good company, and one moment to breathe and be thankful. Everything else is optional.
A New Thanksgiving Tradition?
If 2025 is teaching us anything, it’s that simplicity has value. You can still have a full table without emptying your wallet—or your energy.
Maybe this is the year to shift the tradition. To do less, together. To focus on quality over quantity. To trade a little bit of excess for a lot more ease. Because at the end of the day, no one remembers how much your turkey cost. They remember how they felt when they sat around your table.
Quick Recap: How to Save Without Sacrificing
- Buy early and in bulk
- Make it a potluck
- Focus on key dishes, not a long menu
- Use leftovers wisely
- Keep décor simple and low-cost
- Cook what counts—skip what doesn’t
- Redefine what “hosting” really means
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. You don’t need a perfect home or a $200 dinner to show love. You just need a table, a few chairs, and people who want to be there.
And maybe some mashed potatoes.
