Thanksgiving Dinner 2017: How Much Should It Cost?

NARRAGANSETT, RI—The cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner slipped this year to less than $5 a person, according to the American Farm Bureau, which has kept tabs on prices for 32 years through its "informal price survey." This year, the Farm Bureau says, wholesale turkeys cost 2 cents less a pound than year ago, and that helped to knock retail prices down. But so did large inventories in cold storage. Also, the price of milk and rolls dropped. Some prices went up. Bhe bottom line, according to the Farm Bureau's report from market intelligence director John Newton, "the price of Thanksgiving Dinner is $49.12, that’s down 75 cents, or one and a half percent from last year and shows that the Thanksgiving dinner is down for the second consecutive year in a row and remains below five dollars per-person."

But can most people actually get out of Thanksgiving dinner for $49.12 and satisfy 10 people?

The debate rages.

So, if you order the Farm Bureau's classic holiday meal, what do you find on your plate? The classic Thanksgiving Day dinner includes the basics.

"The shopping list for Farm Bureau’s informal survey includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10 with plenty for leftovers," the report says.

This means some family favorites, like squash, string bean casserole, pumpkin soup, would be add-ons. The bill also doesn't include appetizers or drinks (except for coffee). And lots of people like two varieties of pies and ice cream and extra desserts.

And if your guests like alternative or vegan Thanksgiving dishes, the price could mount to $155 and more for the family of 10, according to Money magazine.

What special dishes do you serve on Thanksgiving? Add your ideas to the comments.

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