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Thanksgiving Dinner Question
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:25 pm
by peacock2121
How much does it cost you to make a Thansgiving dinner for 4 people?
Amy says she spends $200 and that blows my mind.
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:34 pm
by Catfish
If she goes all fancy, I suppose it could. We don't, and we probably spend $100 for the three of us, but it keeps us in food for about a week.
Re: Thanksgiving Dinner Question
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:35 pm
by themanintheseersuckersuit
peacock2121 wrote:How much does it cost you to make a Thansgiving dinner for 4 people?
Amy says she spends $200 and that blows my mind.
How much is that is for the wine, but other than that she and I are not shopping at the same place.
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:41 pm
by mrkelley23
I have three teen and near-teen boys, and I don't spend that much on a week's worth of food....
We feed 30+ people for Christmas, including two main courses, 2 vegetables, and at least one dessert (the visitors usually bring at least one dish, too) and we spend less than that.
'Course, we're more about eatin' than impressin'.

Re: Thanksgiving Dinner Question
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:43 pm
by PlacentiaSoccerMom
peacock2121 wrote:How much does it cost you to make a Thansgiving dinner for 4 people?
Amy says she spends $200 and that blows my mind.
It seems reasonable to me. I have a tendency to buy more than I actually use for food and I end up making more food than I need. We ended up eating the food all weekend, which amortizes the cost somewhat.
Re: Thanksgiving Dinner Question
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:43 pm
by earendel
peacock2121 wrote:How much does it cost you to make a Thansgiving dinner for 4 people?
Amy says she spends $200 and that blows my mind.
No idea, because we've always had a lot more than that. But even feeding the six of us (minimum number) we've never spent that much. Of course we don't serve wine or alcoholic beverages, so that might reduce the cost somewhat.
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:50 pm
by PlacentiaSoccerMom
Another factor might be where she shops. It would cost a lot more to buy the stuff at Bristol Farms than a local supermarket. Plus if you buy all organic produce and free range turkeys who have only been fed grain that has been cracked on the thighs of virgins, you would be spending more than if you bought regular produce and a frozen Butterball.
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:51 pm
by silvercamaro
I usually feed an average of 7-8 people for about $150, not including the wine.
I make every effort to plan for leftover turkey and pumpkin pie, because my favorite part of Thanksgiving comes on Friday.
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:55 pm
by tanstaafl2
Didn't spend too much more than that feeding about 20 last year. It wasn't anything super fancy but we covered all the basics and then some.
I could see spending that much to go out to a really fancy dinner but seems a bit spendy for a dinner for four at home.

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:55 pm
by minimetoo26
We probably spend that for our crew, just on food, for two 25-lb turkeys, a ham, potatoes, stuffing, veggies, biscuits, and cranberries and the like.
Then about 500 bucks on wine, chocolates, wine, cookies, wine, cakes, wine, pies, wine, and soda. And wine.
This is anywhere from 12-25 people. We never know....
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:32 pm
by tlynn78
Seems high to me. I usually feed about 45 (my sister and I) for T'giving, but I do basically the same meal for CHristmas for about 22, and can bring it in under $200, sans wine. I'm talking turkey, mp, sw potatoes; assorted veggies; stuffing; gravy rolls; two or three different desserts; cranberry sauce, devilled eggs; and a few hors d'oeuvres before....
I agree with PSM, where you shop matters, as does menu.
t.
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:39 pm
by PlacentiaSoccerMom
If she is serving Turducken, it costs $79 to $95, delivered, from the Cajun Grocer.

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:46 pm
by andrewjackson
You have to buy Thanksgiving dinner? I thought you just showed up at Grandma's house and filled your plate.
And then went over to your other Grandma's house for supper and did it again.
And then on Sunday went over to your Great-Grandmother's house and did it again.
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 3:34 pm
by christie1111
I spend more than I should and that is about what I would spend on 9 but I to only shop for 4. I think it is hard to cook for 4 at this a meal. You cook for 10-12 and have leftovers.
That is what thanksgiving is all about, leftovers!
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:00 pm
by 5LD
Last year for thanksgiving I had six adults, two kids and a newborn daughter. I had the meal delivered prepared and just had to warm it up. I made three additional side dishes. Guests brought wine and salad. I think I spent about $220 total and that was in Manhattan.
She must be making black truffle stuffin'.
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:22 pm
by peacock2121
I am so glad I asked you guys. I was thinking - wtf?
I know she gets that free range, no antibiotics blah, blah, blah turkey.
I know she does a chestnut dressing.
I think she buys 3 organic whatever pies.
We bring the wine.
I am still, wtf?
I think I need to ask her - wtf?
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:23 pm
by peacock2121
black truffle stuffing made me laugh.
thanks for that one!
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:54 pm
by kayrharris
I don't think it's totally out of line. There are a lot of unknowns...how many and types of desserts, does she get her bread from a nice, pricey bakery, does that include appetizers and drinks?
My family doesn't like turkey and wants beef tenderloin at 12.99lb, so it really runs up the cost.
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 6:12 pm
by minimetoo26
kayrharris wrote:
My family doesn't like turkey and wants beef tenderloin at 12.99lb, so it really runs up the cost.
That's New Year's dinner. So we just cheap out on the champagne! After a while, you don't notice you're drinking Cook's. Or don't care....
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:25 pm
by SportsFan68
Let's see:
Turkey: $20 for hunting license; $12 for gas to get to good hunting spot and return; $18 for celebratory breakfast after kablamming turkey. Total for turkey: $50.00
Potatoes: $2.50
Gravy: Don't know, it makes itself.
Squash: $1.00 for seeds; $50 to water the garden. Total for squash: $51.00
Cranberry salad: $2.00 for cranberries, $1.50 for pineapple, $4.00 for imported California walnuts, $.50 for sugar. Total for cranberry salad: $8.00.
Stuffing: $3.00
Sweet potatoes: $2.50
Whole wheat rolls and butter: $4.00
Green beans: $3.00
Peas: $3.00
Total for Thanksgiving dinner: $127. I think Amy's right in line.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:10 am
by peacock2121
SportsFan68 wrote:Let's see:
Turkey: $20 for hunting license; $12 for gas to get to good hunting spot and return; $18 for celebratory breakfast after kablamming turkey. Total for turkey: $50.00
Potatoes: $2.50
Gravy: Don't know, it makes itself.
Squash: $1.00 for seeds; $50 to water the garden. Total for squash: $51.00
Cranberry salad: $2.00 for cranberries, $1.50 for pineapple, $4.00 for imported California walnuts, $.50 for sugar. Total for cranberry salad: $8.00.
Stuffing: $3.00
Sweet potatoes: $2.50
Whole wheat rolls and butter: $4.00
Green beans: $3.00
Peas: $3.00
Total for Thanksgiving dinner: $127. I think Amy's right in line.

Made me laugh - $50 for water!