I walked into Costco last week and saw the wall of stuffing mixes lined up. Thanksgiving spending in 2025 is already showing up everywhere you go. Every year I swear I will not wait until the last minute, but I still end up googling “how long to thaw a turkey” at midnight.

This year feels different. People are planning earlier and budgeting harder because Thanksgiving spending 2025 is already shaping up to be unpredictable. People are asking the same question. How expensive is this year going to be?

So I looked it up.

According to the Deloitte Holiday Retail Survey, Americans expect to spend an average of $1,595 dollars this holiday season. That is actually down ten percent from last year. Deloitte also found that seventy seven percent of shoppers think prices will continue to rise through the season.

Holiday shopping tends to distract from the fact that Thanksgiving dinner itself is expensive. Turkeys may have stabilized in price, but appetizers, sides, drinks, and desserts add up quickly. Even hosting costs like paper plates, candles, and extra snacks push the total up.

Last year my family tried something new. A potluck style Thanksgiving where everyone brought one thing. It made the day more fun and way more affordable, and I remember thinking how different Thanksgiving feels now compared to when I was growing up. Back then people did not talk about inflation. They just cooked. Now every group chat has someone asking, “Should we split the cost?”

And truthfully, I get it. A Thanksgiving meal can easily cost triple what it did ten years ago.

So here is what I am doing this year.

First, I wrote down the dishes I want to make and estimated the ingredients. Nothing dramatic, but just enough to avoid checkout shock.

Second, I talked to my family and suggested another potluck. No pressure. Just shared responsibility.

Third, I reminded myself that Thanksgiving is not a competition. No one wins for having the biggest turkey or the fanciest sides. What people remember is the feeling of being together.

The more I think about it, the more I realize Thanksgiving looks different for everyone now. Some people spend it in smaller groups, others travel or stay home, and plenty still host the big traditional meal. The details change, but the meaning never really does. It is a moment to pause, appreciate what you have, and share something that feels like comfort.

Costs might rise again this year. Travel might be hectic. Groceries might sting a little, but the holiday is still yours to shape.

I plan to eat well, spend time with people I love, and not stress over receipts. That feels like the real victory this year.

Check out Black Friday Hits Different This Year for more on how people are adjusting their holiday spending.