Overview
- The American Farm Bureau Federation pegs a classic dinner for 10 at $55.18, down 5% from 2024 and the third straight annual drop, or about $5.52 per person.
- A 16‑pound frozen turkey averages $21.50, more than 16% lower year over year, even as flocks continue to recover from avian influenza and some wholesale costs run high.
- Not all staples fell: sweet potatoes climbed about 37%, fresh vegetable trays jumped roughly 61%, whole milk rose 16.3%, and frozen peas increased 17.2%.
- Major chains are advertising steep holiday deals, including Walmart’s basket for under $40 for 10, Aldi’s roughly $40 lineup for 10, Target’s meal under $20 for four, and Amazon Fresh’s option around $25 for five to six.
- Prices vary and estimates differ: the South averages $50.01 versus $61.75 in the West, and Wells Fargo estimates staples are 2–3% cheaper with a 10-person spread running about $80 with store brands or $95 with national brands.