Shopping for Thanksgiving could be daunting without proper planning because you have to find out which stores will be open & what discounts they will give. Then, you need a perfect shopping budget that can save money & time.
Do you want to celebrate the Thanksgiving event without financial stress? Are you looking for some techniques to lower Thanksgiving ingredient costs?
If the answer is yes, then you are in the right article.
This article will guide you through everything about Thanksgiving shopping and how to save time & money.
Let’s start with the following.
Key Takeaways:
- Thanksgiving dinner cost at a restaurant would be higher than cooking at home.
- All the ingredient costs increased by 13.5% compared to last year.
- Include essential items to the Thanksgiving shopping list & try to minimize cost by excluding non-essential items.
- There is no best day to shop for Thanksgiving, but Monday to Wednesday could be good.
- You can consider the markdown option with a digital coupon to get maximum discount.
Thanksgiving shopping list?
A perfect Thanksgiving shopping list involves a holistic review of your needs & preplan your finance distribution based on necessity. There is no golden rule for shopping budget because it could vary depending on individual choice & location.
However, I have given a printable shopping list below to help you on Thanksgiving Day.
After the shopping list, you may ask for a grocery list.
Thanksgiving grocery list?
Grocery is an essential element of the Thanksgiving menu. Therefore, an advance Thanksgiving grocery list can save you time & money.
Below, I have given a detailed grocery list for Thanksgiving that will help you to make a perfect grocery shopping list.
| Grocery Group | Ingredients | Quantity/Weight |
| Protein | Turkey | 1.5 pounds /person |
| Ham | Based on requirement | |
| Bacon | Based on requirement | |
| Sausage | Based on requirement | |
| Oysters | Based on requirement | |
| Vegetables | Potatoes | 5-7 pounds |
| Sweet potatoes | 3-5 pounds | |
| Green beans | 2 pounds | |
| Brussels sprouts | 2 pounds | |
| Carrots | 2 pounds | |
| Corn | 2-3 cans | |
| Celery | 1 bunch | |
| Onions | 1-2 pounds | |
| Mushrooms | 1 pound | |
| Garlic | 1-2 heads | |
| Mashed potatoes | 5 pounds | |
| Lemons | Based on requirement | |
| Fruits | Apple | Based on requirement |
| Cranberries | 1-2 bags | |
| Clementines or Oranges | Based on requirement | |
| Bread and Grains | Bread for stuffing | Based on requirement |
| Dinner rolls | 24 for 10 to 12 people | |
| Cornbread | 1 loaf for 10 people | |
| Rice | 3 cups for 11 people | |
| Dairy and Eggs | Butter | 2-3 pounds |
| Milk | 1 gallon | |
| Eggs | 1 dozen | |
| Cheese | 1 pound | |
| Cream of chicken soup | 2 cans | |
| Cream of mushroom soup | 2 cans | |
| Sour cream | 1 pint | |
| Heavy cream | 1 pint | |
| Herbs and Spices | Salt | 1 tablespoon |
| Pepper | 1 teaspoon | |
| Garlic powder | 1 teaspoon | |
| Onion powder | 1 teaspoon | |
| Paprika | 1 teaspoon | |
| Dried thyme | 1 teaspoon | |
| Dried rosemary | 1/2 teaspoon | |
| Dried sage | 1/4 teaspoon | |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 teaspoon | |
| Ground nutmeg | 1/4 teaspoon | |
| Allspice | 1/4 teaspoon | |
| Bay leaves | Based on requirement | |
| Poultry seasoning | Based on requirement | |
| Condiments/Sauces | Cranberry sauce | 2 cans |
| Gravy | 2 cans or 1 jar | |
| Ketchup | 1 bottle | |
| Mustard | 1 bottle | |
| Mayonnaise | 1 bottle | |
| Hot sauce | 1 bottle | |
| BBQ sauce | 1 bottle | |
| Honey | 1 bottle | |
| Maple syrup | 1 bottle | |
| Salsa | 1 jar | |
| Italian dressing | 1 bottle | |
| Caesar dressing | 1 bottle | |
| Nuts and Dried Fruits | Almonds | 1 cup |
| Cashews | 1 cup | |
| Walnuts | 1 cup | |
| Pistachios | 1 cup | |
| Pecans | 1 cup | |
| Dried cranberries | 1 cup | |
| Dried raisins | 1 cup | |
| Dried apricots | 1 cup | |
| Dried figs | 1 cup | |
| Baking Supplies | Flour | 5 cups |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon | |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon | |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon | |
| Sugar | 2 cups | |
| Brown sugar | 1 cup | |
| Butter without salt | 1 pound | |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon | |
| Pie crusts | 2 | |
| Pumpkin puree | 1 can (15-ounce) | |
| Heavy cream | 1 pint | |
| Pecans | 1 cup | |
| Spices i.e., cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves | 1 teaspoon each | |
| Beverages | Water | 2 gallons |
| Soda | 2 liters | |
| Wine | 1 bottle (red and white) | |
| Beer | 2 six-packs | |
| Sparkling water | 2 liters | |
| Apple cider | 1 gallon | |
| Cranberry juice | 1 gallon | |
| Lemonade | 1 gallon | |
| Iced tea | 1 gallon | |
| Desserts | Pumpkin pie | 2 pies |
| Pecan pie | 1 pie | |
| Apple pie | 1 pie | |
| Cheesecake | 1 cheesecake | |
| Cookies | 4 dozen | |
| Brownies | 2 dozen | |
| Ice cream | 2 gallons | |
| Miscellaneous | Zip-top bags | 2 packs |
| Kitchen towels | 2 dozen | |
| Mixing bowls | 2 sets | |
| Measuring cups and spoons | 1 set | |
| Cutting boards | 2 | |
| Sharp knives | 2 | |
| Garbage bags | 2 packs | |
| Tablecloths | 1 set | |
| Placemats | 1 set | |
| Serving utensils | 1 set | |
| Serving dishes | 1 set | |
| Matches or lighter | 1 box | |
| Candles | 1 dozen | |
| Napkins | 2 packs | |
| Paper towels | 2 rolls | |
| Plastic wrap | 1 roll | |
| Parchment paper | 2 rolls | |
| Aluminum foil | 2 rolls |
The price hike is a significant problem at present in America. Perhaps you are planning big on Thanksgiving, but commodity costs force you to limit ingredient quantity. If you are facing this type of situation, your next question should be the following.
Thanksgiving ingredients cost?
Thanksgiving ingredients cost is higher than the previous year except for Turkey, which is 8% lower than last year.
Below, the table details Thanksgiving ingredients cost for 2024.
| Thanksgiving ingredients | Cost ($) | Quantity/Weight | Survey by |
| Turkey | 1.40 | 1 pound | USDA |
| Stuffing mix | 3.25 | One 16-ounce box | Statista |
| Cranberry sauce | 2.25 | One 16-ounce can | MarketWatch |
| Mashed potatoes | 4.25 | One 5-pound bag | Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Green beans | 1.99 | One 14.5-ounce can | National Grocers Association |
| Rolls | 2.50 | One 12-pack | American Bakers Association |
| Pumpkin pie | 11.00 | One 9-inch pumpkin pie | United States Pie Association |
| Pecan pie | 12.50 | One 9-inch pecan pie | National Pecan Growers Council |
| Apple pie | 9.00 | One 9-inch apple pie | American Apple Association |
| Cheesecake | 17.50 | One 10-inch cheesecake | American Cheese Society |
| Cookies | 13.50 | One 4-dozen batch | National Confectioners Association |
| Brownies | 9.00 | One 1-dozen batch | 9.00 |
| Ice cream | 6.00 | One 1-gallon tub | International Ice Cream Association |
Nowadays, most Americans live on lower incomes. This limited income forces them to think twice before spending anything. Therefore, the proper budget could be a savior on Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving on a budget?
The Thanksgiving dinner cost at a restaurant for ten people is $64.05, 20% higher than last year.
But Thanksgiving means sharing our feelings with others; it is an interconnectivity among family, friends, & relatives. But considering the cost, you may think of hosting a Thanksgiving event at home.
However, inflation makes our lives financially hard. Therefore, a perfect budget can give you financial relief & savings from Thanksgiving shopping.
Below, I have given an estimated Thanksgiving budget for ten people, which will help you make the right one.
| Food and Groceries | Price range ($) |
| Protein (Turkey or alternative) | 20-35 (because of recent price drop) |
| Ingredients & Side Dishes (stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans, sweet potatoes) | 40-55 (Higher ingredient cost) |
| Desserts (flour, sugar, and pie fillings) | 20-30 |
| Beverages & drink (water, soda, or juice, wines) | 15-25 |
| Special Dietary (Vegetarian or Vegan Choices) | 15-20 |
| Appetizers (cheese platters, crackers) | 15-25 |
| Herbs, Spices, and Condiments (salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and sauces) | 10-17 |
| Leftovers Storage (aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or storage containers) | 8-12 |
| Others | 5 |
| Total | 138- 224 |
| Entertainment | Price range ($) |
| Entertainment | 15-20 |
| Streaming Services, Movies, drama | 15-20 |
| Board Games | 12-15 |
| Music | 20-25 |
| Photography | 12-20 |
| Virtual Entertainment | 7-12 |
| Others | 4 |
| Total | 85- 116 |
| Tableware | Price range ($) |
| Plates, Cups, Utensils | 15-20 |
| Cooking Supplies | 15-20 |
| Napkins and Tablecloths | 10-13 |
| Table Decor | 10-13 |
| Others | 3 |
| Total | 53- 69 |
| Miscellaneous | Price range ($) |
| Candles | 10-15 |
| Cleaning Supplies | 5-9 |
| Leftovers Storage | 5-8 |
| Emergency Supplies | 5-8 |
| Gifts or Favors | 6-10 |
| Others | 2 |
| Total | 33- 52 |
Total Thanksgiving budget (minimum)= $138 + $85 + $53 + $33
=$309
Total Thanksgiving budget (maximum)= $224 + $116 + $69 + $52
=$461
Note: Price could vary depending on your needs & states.
Now, it is high time to ask, “Should I go to a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner or cook at home? Let’s see the following question.
Should you cook on Thanksgiving?
Yes. It would be best to cook on Thanksgiving because it would be more cost-effective. Restaurant increased their meal prices due to high ingredients costs & low supply.
On the other hand, Turkey, the main Thanksgiving course, dropped its price from $1.72 to $1.35 because of increased supply (according to recent market data).
Below, the table shows our recent survey on Thanksgiving ingredients price changes from 2023 to 2024.
| Ingredients | 2023 ($) | 2024 ($) | Change (%) |
| Butter (1 lb) | 4.42 | 4.88 | +10.40 |
| Cranberries (12 oz) | 2.49 | 2.72 | 9.23 |
| Green beans (1 lb) | 1.49 | 1.69 | 11.83 |
| Mashed potatoes (2 lbs) | 1.98 | 2.28 | 15.15 |
| Milk (1 gallon) | 3.99 | 4.39 | 10.02 |
| Pumpkin pie mix (15 oz) | 1.49 | 1.69 | 13.42 |
| Stuffing mix (6 oz) | 0.99 | 1.19 | 20.20 |
| Sweet potatoes (5 lbs) | 2.99 | 3.29 | 10.03 |
| Whipping cream (1 pint) | 2.49 | 2.72 | 9.23 |
| Total | 22.33 | 24.85 | +11.28 |
On average, you will pay 11% more at a restaurant on Thanksgiving. However, most retail shops offer more discounts as Thanksgiving is closer. Therefore, cooking at home would save more than Thanksgiving food at a restaurant.
Okay, I understand it but which day would be best for shopping? Are you asking this question to yourself? If yes, then the next question is for you.
Best day to shop for Thanksgiving?
Monday to Wednesday of that week is the best day to shop for Thanksgiving because leading retailers such as Best Buy, Kohl’s, Macy’s, and Aldi will be open that day.
However, the best shopping day for Thanksgiving could vary based on shopping habits & individual requirements.
For example, if you are a corporate professional who continually struggles to manage time, Monday to Wednesday will give you a flexible time to prepare for Thanksgiving.
On the other hand, shopping on Thanksgiving Day would be more beneficial if you want to get a maximum discount. Below, the table will help you to decide when to shop for Thanksgiving.
| Shopping benefits | Monday to Wednesday | Thanksgiving |
| Crowds in store | Low | High |
| Available products | Wide | Limited |
| Discount & offers | Small | High |
| Price comparison option | More | Limited |
| Money saving opportunity | Medium | High |
| Best for | Who loves wide selection & less crowd | Who loves more discount & enjoy shopping in crowd. |
| Shopping stress | Less | More |
The table below shows our survey data on average money-saving percentages from Monday to Wednesday on Thanksgiving Day in the United States for 2023.
| Shopping day | Maximum savings (%) |
| Monday | 16 |
| Tuesday | 19 |
| Wednesday | 22 |
| Thanksgiving | 27 |
Since 19<27, shopping on Thanksgiving Day will give you more saving benefits compared to Monday to Wednesday.
Now is the time to pick the best shopping destination. Isn’t it? Let’s see the next question.
Is pick and save open on Thanksgiving?
Yes. Pick and save open on Thanksgiving Day 2024 in the United States of America. Pick and Save Thanksgiving hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
If you are in the Midwest and Upper Midwest, get ready to shop from Pick and Save with lower prices on Thanksgiving Day.
Pick and Save is known for its more comprehensive grocery selection with lower prices.
Pick and Save open is a great relief, but what unique bring Pick and Save in this Thanksgiving? Let’s see.
Pick and save Thanksgiving?
Pick and Save offers many grocery products with good discounts. If you are under a tight budget, Pick & Save could be a good shopping destination for Thanksgiving.
Below, the table shows the ingredient cost of Pick & Save with the new sale price.
| Ingredients | Regular price ($) | Thanksgiving Discount ($) | Thanksgiving price ($) |
| Turkey (16 lbs) | 19.99 | 2 | 17.99 |
| Ham (Bone-In Shank Half Ham) | 14.99 | 1.50 | 13.49 |
| Potatoes (10-pound bag of Russet Potatoes) | 2.99 | 1.00 | 1.99 |
| Green Beans (12-ounce bag of Fresh Cut Green Beans) | 1.49 | 0.50 | 0.99 |
| Cranberries (12-ounce bag of Fresh Cranberries) | 2.49 | 1.00 | 1.49 |
| Pumpkin Pie (Libby’s Pumpkin Pie) | 3.99 | 2.00 | 1.99 |
| Whipping Cream (8-ounce tub of Land O’Lakes Whipped Cream) | 2.49 | 0.50 | 1.99 |
Consider some money hacks at Pick and Save at this level. Right!
Save money at pick and save?
Pick and Save is one of the customer choice shopping stores to save money on Thanksgiving Day. If you are considering buying from Pick & Save, the following strategy will help you save on Thanksgiving Day.
1. Pick ‘n save weekly ad
You can save from the pick ‘n save weekly ad up to 10% on Thanksgiving grocery items. Pick ‘n Save updates their weekly ad every Wednesday in the app with new exclusive offers.
Let’s understand it from a mathematical example,
Sophia wants to buy 5 Libby’s Pumpkin Pie from Pick’ n Save on Thanksgiving Day.
Other details,
- Regular price of one Libby’s Pumpkin Pie= $3.99
- The weekly ad price of one Libby’s Pumpkin Pie = $1.99 ($2 Thanksgiving discount).
Total price (regular)= $3.99×5
=$19.95
Total price (weekly ad) = $1.99 ×5
=$9.95
Save money=$19.95-$9.95
=$10, which is more than 50%.
2. Pick ‘n Save app
You can save money by installing the Pick ‘n Save app up to 25% on Thanksgiving Day. Just Create an Account, enroll in the Pick ‘n Save loyalty program, link your loyalty card or phone number to earn rewards & get ready to access discount deals.
Let’s see a financial example,
Susan wants to buy six boxes of stuffing mix from the Pick’ n Save app, whose regular price is $0.99.
Other details,
- Susan has a digital coupon for $0.45 off one box of stuffing mix.
- Susan decides to buy from the Pick’ n Save app.
Price without app=$0.99×6
=$5.94
Price with app=$0.99×6 – ($0.45×6)
=$5.94-$2.70
=$3.24
Save money due to Pick’ n Save app=$5.94 – $3.24
=$2.70
3. Pick n save one get one options
Pick n save one get one option or BOGO is a great way to save money on Thanksgiving Day. For this, you must plan your shopping according to BOGO’s condition & time.
Say Jennifer wants to shop for 4 Creamed Corn weight 15 oz from Pick n Save on Thanksgiving. The regular price of one Creamed Corn is $2.99.
Other details,
- Pick n Save offers BOGO on Wednesday for Thanksgiving events.
- Regular price of 4 Creamed Corn is $11.96 ($2.99×4).
- BOGO price is $5.98 ($2.99×2).
So, Jennifer will save=$11.96 – $5.98
=$5.98
In this stage, you may think about the American top shopping destination, “Stop & Shop. Are you Curious whether American preferred store Stop and Shop is open? Let’s see.
Stop and shop Thanksgiving?
Stop and Shop is a leading American favorite grocery store for shopping. Stop & Shop offers a variety of discounts on grocery items for Thanksgiving events. About 27% of Americans out of 30% who know Stop & Shop buy from it.
The graph below indicates how many people like Stop & Shop. (data source: Statista)
Americans are crazy to buy from Stop & Shop, but will they open on Thanksgiving Day? Are you asking yourself this question? First of all, congratulations because your favorite grocery store, Stop and Shop, will be open on Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving hours for Stop and Shop?
Thanksgiving hours for Stop and Shop are 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2024. Thanksgiving hours could vary based on state & individual store policy, but most stores will be open on Thanksgiving Day.
Finding store locations could be an extra stress on Thanksgiving. So, as a shopper, your natural question should be the following.
Stop and shop near me?
Stop and shop near you could vary depending on your present location. Stop & Shop has 628 stores in 5 states: Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Below, the table shows store numbers for those states.
| State name | Store number |
| Connecticut | 169 with online |
| New Jersey | 162 with online |
| New York | 139 with online |
| Massachusetts | 126 with online |
| Rhode Island | 32 with online |
| Total | 628 |
Here are some ways to find out Stop and Shop near you based on your location. Below is the detail.
Way 1: visit their website
- Visit the official Stop & Shop website & look for the “store locator” or “find a store” option in the footer or the navigation menu.
- Then, enter your location details such as zip code, city, or state & the website will show details, i.e., Thanksgiving hours, address, and contact information.
Way 2: Use Google map
- Open Google Maps on your device, i.e., computer phone.
- Then, type “Stop & Shop” on the search bar.
- Google Maps will show detailed information such as location, phone number, and customer reviews.
Way 3: Stop and Shop mobile app
- Stop and Shop has a mobile app where you will find details about store locations near you. Download it from the app store & enter details such as zip code, city, or state.
Way 4: Use the Yellow page
- You can get store locations near you using online directories websites like Yellowpages.com or Yelp.com.
- Write “Stop & Shop” on the search bar with the location & you will get details about the store.
Way 5: Contact directly
- You can collect information by physically visiting Stop & Shop or contacting a customer service officer via direct phone.
- You will get phone numbers on their websites.
- Say you want to store details within Rhode Island. If you have relatives, cousins, or friends who stay or live in Rhode Island, tell them to visit Stop & Shop for details physically. Then, you can get details about the stores quickly.
Now, you may be making some shopping decisions but thinking, “Is there any strategy to save money at Stop & Shop? If I catch your mind correctly, your last question should be the following.
How to save money at stop and shop?
Some techniques to save money from Stop & Shop include weekly circulars, digital coupons, loyalty programs, gift cards, in-store promotions & many more.
I have described two effective tricks to save money on Thanksgiving Day at Stop & Shop. Let’s see the details.
Stop & Shop loyalty program is a great way to save money on Thanksgiving Day. With a loyalty program, you can earn points, discounts, or new sales prices under special offers.
Let’s see an example,
Anna wants to buy a box of cereal for Thanksgiving dinner at Stop & Shop, whose regular price is $3.99.
Other details,
- Anna has a Stop & Shop loyalty card that offers $0.50 off for cereal.
- Under the Stop & Shop loyalty program, 200 equivalent $1.
- Anna gets 100 loyalty points, i.e., $0.50 for cereal purchases. Her sale price would be $3.49 ($3.99-$0.50).
Savings= Regular price- (Stop & Shop loyalty card off+ Loyalty point)
=$3.99- ($0.50 + $0.50)
=$3.99- $1
=$2.99
Stop & Shop Markdowns and clearance of their product for various situations such as overstock, season change, closing or expiration dates, holidays, or replacement products.
Therefore, Stop & Shop offers enough discounts on their product & this is a great way to save money on Thanksgiving shopping. For better deals, buy Markdowns products with digital coupons or loyalty programs.
You can get updates from the Stop & Shop App, check their clearance section, or ask their staff.
Let’s see a mathematical example,
Liza is looking into the clearance section of Stop & Shop to buy a bag of coffee for the Thanksgiving event. She noticed the regular price is $20 but offers a 50% markdown.
Other details,
- Liza has a digital coupon for $1 off on any coffee.
- Liza got $1, equivalent to 100 points for one bag of coffee buy.
Savings without digital coupons=$20 - $20×0.50 =$20 – $10
=$10
Savings with digital coupons=$20 – ($20×0.50 + $1 + $1) =$20 – ($10 + $2)
=$20 – $12
=$8
Concluding Thought
Thanksgiving shopping is stressful work. Without strategic planning, your Thanksgiving shopping could be more expensive. You have to understand that saving money doesn’t mean compromising quality. Instead, it is a financial strategy to get the best product at a lower price.
Please be more strategic on shopping expenses by reading this article. Happy Thanksgiving shopping & may your Thanksgiving dinner be filled with delicious joy & savings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is dining out pricier this Thanksgiving compared to last year?
Yes, Thanksgiving dinner cost at restaurants increased by 6%, whereas cooking ingredient cost increased by 2.4%. On average, you could expect 5% more price for dining out than at home.
The above graph shows a survey result on Thanksgiving meal prices conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation.
The result of this survey shocked everyone because it is the highest price in 37 years of history. The average cost for one Thanksgiving meal was $46.90 in 2020, but between 2021 & 2022, it increased about 20%.
So, this indicates that your Thanksgiving meal would be costlier at a restaurant than at home.
Thanksgiving side dishes price?
This year, Thanksgiving side dishes prices have increased by 4%, according to a recent American Farm Bureau Federation survey. This is happening because of inflation, supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19, limited supply & increased demand.
How many days until Thanksgiving?
In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. This fourth Thursday falls on 23 November, 2024. So, there are three days until Thanksgiving 2024 (based on my article writing date, 20 November)
Is Thanksgiving a state holiday?
No, Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States. Though, initially, Thanksgiving was a cultural holiday, i.e., giving thanks and expressing gratitude, it has also become a shopping & retailers day.
Because retailers come with massive discounts for quick sales, buyers shop many commodities for significant price drops.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is just the author’s view & only for educational purposes. By reading this, you agree that the information is not Thanksgiving shopping advice. Do your research before making your Thanksgiving shopping plan. Therefore, FinanceIdeas.org will not be liable for your financial loss if occur.
