Economic Pressures Alter Thanksgiving Traditions for Many Americans
In a noticeable shift, nearly half of American households are opting for more economical options like chicken instead of the traditional turkey for Thanksgiving this year, as highlighted in a recent report from Defend America Action. This change serves as a stark example of how increasing costs are impacting holiday celebrations.
Initiated by a coalition of over a dozen Democratic state legislators, the report sheds light on the financial struggles observed in their communities, pushing constituents to cut corners to manage their budgets.
“While Trump and Republicans spend billions bailing out their allies and handing out tax breaks to billionaires, Americans are facing higher prices with fewer resources,” stated the legislators in a joint statement. “Many Americans will find themselves clipping coupons, cutting costs, and waiting in long lines instead of settling in for a relaxing holiday with family and friends.”
The report indicates that 57% of Americans feel that the trimmings for Thanksgiving have become more costly compared to the previous year. This perception aligns with reality as turkey prices have surged by 24%, canned cranberries by 45%, frozen peas by 17%, cheddar cheese by 6.6%, and sweet potatoes by a significant 37%.
Additional items like wine, sugar, and whipped cream have also seen price increases.
The legislators attribute these financial strains to President Donald Trump’s economic policies, particularly the tariffs on imported farm equipment, fertilizer, steel, and aluminum, which have driven up production costs for farmers and, consequently, consumer prices.
Tariffs, functioning as taxes on imports, are initially paid by importers, but the burden often shifts to consumers. Trump argues that these tariffs are tools to negotiate better trade agreements with foreign nations.
Turkey farmers have been hit particularly hard, with tariffs imposed in March on animal feed from Canada and Mexico, which make up over 60% of poultry farmers’ expenditures.
Compounding these issues, the administration’s slow response to an avian flu outbreak has led to the lowest turkey inventory in the U.S. in four decades.
This Thanksgiving, some families will pivot to serving chicken, and one in ten households plan to skip protein altogether, opting for side dishes only. Nearly a quarter of families intend to reduce portion sizes.
This situation contradicts Trump’s assertions that this year’s Thanksgiving would be more affordable. He has repeatedly pointed to a 25% decrease in the price of Walmart’s pre-packaged Thanksgiving meals as evidence of cost reduction. However, these meals are smaller and feature less expensive options than in previous years, making them an outlier.
The financial strain doesn’t end with groceries. Travel costs, notably airfare, have risen by 3.2% year-over-year. These increased expenses do not translate to enhanced services, as airports anticipate delays and cancellations due to ongoing impacts from FAA staffing cuts and a recent government shutdown.
During the period from November 21 to December 1, an estimated 31 million people are expected to travel by air.
According to a poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs, more than half of Americans identify grocery expenses as a major source of stress in their daily lives.
