How much does making thanksgiving dinner usually cost at your house?

[JVS]

Last year I had to do my mom's shopping for thanksgiving. After going to several stores and getting all the odds and ends I noticed that it had put a bigger dent in my saved up money than I had expected. So this year we decided to spend just $39.95 and get a prepared dinner suitable for 8 people from the store. We might make a couple pies on our own.

[rug]

1. You can glom some sugar packets from McDonald's.

[siligut]

2. Don't know how much a turkey costs....

We don't have meat, but do enjoy everything else, plus a nice bottle of wine. I am thinking it runs around $50 for just the three of us. :wow:
The wine really racks it up though. Eating out is starting to sound good to me, but it wouldn't go over well with Mr. Gut.

[Broken_Hero]

3. hmm, usually no more than 50$

turkey usually runs 12-15 bucks, stuffing is around 4 dollars, potatoes around 3, rolls is around 5, pie is around 8, and a few other odd's ends, usually olives for me, cranberry sauce for my inlaws, and sometimes sweet potatoes.

[Kali]

4. I tend to go insane and spend a lot - mostly because I try to make enough for leftovers

and since it is a holiday I try to use good ingredients - butter, cream, good sausage and homemeade cornbread for the stuffing, fresh fruits/vegs and several bottles of wine, etc etc

so the work and expenditure is really for 5 or 6 full meals

I get tempted to do those pre-made dinners every year but they are missing certain things that soon add up to no real savings. I don't know about you, but a good homemade pie can run close to $10 if you use quality ingredients. Used to be a cheap gift for the family but geez the cost of NUTS! or fruit to make a good well filled pie even! ouch

[Phentex]

5. Same here but I do split with my sister...

everybody wants leftovers! We divide up who does what/who buys what and we *enjoy* all the prep so we would never do pre-made anything. My sister is one of those nuts who enjoys making pies and does it with ease so we have at least 5 for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is our biggest holiday of the year. I can't wait!

[Kali]

6. I'm usually exhausted by time it's all ready - I'd almost rather put it all away

and have it ALL as leftovers! All that work for two plus days just trashed in about 5 minutes!:rofl:

[Phentex]

7. We feel that every year!

But we still do it. :)

We end up eating again later that night so we squeeze another 10 minutes out.

[Kali]

8. oh hell I NEVER make that late afternoon/early evening deadline!

it's ALWAYS after dark by the time I finally get the gravy done:rofl:

[tigereye]

13. yeah, we are the same way -people would tell us they eat at noon or 2

and we would just laugh hysterically - my mom, and now me. We usually manage to come in at around 5:30 since my husband makes us a time-line. That way we don't get into a snit as we cook. Works pretty well, actually. I do certain things and he does certain things and keeps us on schedule.

[Arkansas Granny]

15. We usually shoot for 1:00 to 2:00, but most of the time we don't get it

all on the table until 4:00 or later. We've started putting the pies and desserts out early so anyone who wants can nibble on them to stave off hunger until dinner is ready. After all these years, everyone knows what's going to happen, but they know it will be worth the wait.

[JVS]

10. Last year we had it ready to serve a small dinner on wednesday night

Served it up right after a guest came in from out of town.
Then we spent all of thursday watching football, drinking beer, and having leftovers. Mom loved it.

[tigereye]

12. yeah, it is kind of like running a race and then being expected to calm down

and eat right away... that's why the wine usually tastes so good at that point.

[Arkansas Granny]

14. We do the same and my daughter and I split the cost and the cooking.

Family members bring dishes to add to the menu, but we do the bulk of the cooking. We also invite any friends that are at loose ends for the day so we generally have a house full. It's a memorable meal and one that we look forward to, so we really go all out. Besides, we love to cook and everyone gets to take leftovers home.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

9. $150

[JVS]

11. Yeah, that's the kind of problem I had last year.

All the goodies and stuff add up quickly.

[mnhtnbb]

16. I just spent $150. today. Bought a big enough turkey for leftovers

for sandwiches and to make turkey tettrazini on Saturday. That doesn't include
two bottles of wine which hubby already purchased.