Rising food costs, high fuel costs, and concerns over economic instability are making for an interesting conundrum this holiday season. Should we eat in or out for Thanksgiving dinner? The answer to that question is a personal one, but for those on the fence I have a few facts for you.
The average Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings including drinks, turkey, and the all important desert average about $25-$30 per person for a family of 10. Add in to that fuel costs for your family to arrive, the dishes you will have to wash after, the house cleaning and other small projects that have to be done before everyone arrives and then finding enough chairs to go around the ever shrinking table. It’s fun, but is it worth it?
The average meal out is about $20 per person with an extra $5-$10 for the desert of their choice. There are no dishes, no cleaning, and no scrambling for chairs. The travel costs are the same as everyone would still need to meet to enjoy the feast, but no one slaved over the stove or burned the turkey.
To be quite honest, it has become a draw on the cost front. So how do you make the decision? Personally I toss a coin. The restaurants are going to be a bit crowded, but no more so than they are every year at this time. More restaurants are planning to be open and more so are having Thanksgiving specials which should help to keep your group on budget. If, for what reason I cannot fathom, your group doesn’t go for the turkey route there are a million other choices to wrestle over.
Whatever you decide this holiday season, give thanks that you are able to get together and enjoy each other’s company. If you’re in a generous mood, try helping out at one of the homeless shelters or at the food bank, making someone else’s holiday as bright as your own.
Kristi
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