Last Updated: November 6, 2025
A national survey finds that nearly 1 in 5 Americans plan to cut costs, 42% are trying TikTok recipes, and 58% will avoid talking politics this Thanksgiving.
Key findings
- About 1 in 5 Americans are planning to spend less at Thanksgiving 2025 compared to last year. To do this, many will prepare fewer sides and opt for cheaper or generic ingredients.
- 46% feel pressure to "make the holiday special" even when money is tight, while an equal 46% say inflation forced them to rethink what matters at the holidays.
- 71% will avoid at least one controversial topic at Thanksgiving dinner, with politics topping the list at 58%.
- 41% have tried or plan to try social media recipes at Thanksgiving, meaning TikTok and Instagram now rival family cookbooks.
- 40% think green bean casserole should be permanently banned from Thanksgiving, making it the most hated dish.
- 18% of people will attend Friendsgiving meals instead of or in addition to a family gathering.
Thanksgiving 2025 arrives at a time when gratitude and budgeting share the same table. After years of rising food costs and economic fatigue, Americans are proving that celebration doesn’t require extravagance — only creativity.
Savings.com’s survey of 2,502 Americans revealed three forces reshaping the holiday: persistent economic pressure, social media’s influence on how we cook and connect, and growing caution about divisive topics at the dinner table. Despite the challenges, most Americans (82 percent) still plan to celebrate — a sign that fatigue and financial strain are no match for the tradition of Thanksgiving.
Americans Are Economizing Thanksgiving: One in Five Plan to Spend Less Strategically
According to Savings.com's October 2025 survey of U.S. adults, 19 percent of Americans plan to spend less on Thanksgiving this year compared to 2024. This minority of budget-cutters is making strategic choices about where to trim — revealing what's truly essential versus what's merely traditional.
| Compared to last year, your 2025 Thanksgiving spending will be: | Percent of respondents |
|---|---|
| Significantly lower | 7% |
| Slightly lower | 12% |
| About the same | 61% |
| Slightly higher | 14% |
| Significantly higher | 6% |
Meanwhile, 20 percent expect to spend more this year than last — likely absorbing elevated grocery prices that have surged 25 percent in five years. The majority (61 percent) plan to spend about the same as last year, suggesting families have adjusted to the new pricing reality and are finding ways to maintain their celebration without dramatic budget shifts in either direction.
How Families Are Cutting Costs Without Cutting Celebration
Among the one in five people who are reducing spending, the cuts reveal a hierarchy of what's truly essential versus what's merely traditional.
| Cost-cutting strategies for Thanksgiving 2025 | Percent using each strategy |
|---|---|
| Fewer side dishes/desserts | 43% |
| Choose cheaper ingredients/generic brands | 38% |
| Smaller guest list | 29% |
| Traveling less or not at all | 28% |
| More homemade dishes vs. pre-made | 26% |
| Potluck to share costs | 17% |
| Skipping turkey/main dish | 8% |
Note: Multiple responses allowed; among respondents who plan to spend less
Inflation won’t erase Thanksgiving — it may make it more intentional. Families are slimming down menus instead of guest lists, with 43 percent of cost-cutters cutting side dishes or desserts, and others relying on more homemade contributions. Around 38 percent of those seeking to spend less will opt for generic brands such as Walmart’s Great Value brand or Amazon Grocery goods. Another 17 percent will do a potluck-style meal to share the cost burden and reduce time in the kitchen.
The Emotional Toll of Rising Costs
| Statements | Percentage agreeing with statements |
|---|---|
| "I feel pressure to make the holidays special even when money is tight." | 46% |
| "Inflation forced me to rethink what really matters." | 46% |
| "Cutting back makes me feel like I'm letting people down." | 40% |
| "I'll spend whatever it takes to make it feel normal." | 35% |
However, the emotional toll of inflation is evident: nearly half of respondents say they feel pressure to make the holidays feel “normal," even when money is tight. An equal share say the experience has helped them refocus on what truly matters — connection, gratitude, and time spent together. Thanksgiving 2025 may be smaller, but it’s also more sincere.
Social Media Is Reprogramming the Thanksgiving Menu
Social media is also impacting the modern Thanksgiving menu. From TikTok stuffing hacks to Instagram-worthy butter boards, social media is now one of the most powerful influences on how Americans cook and connect.
| Have you ever made a recipe you saw on social media for Thanksgiving? | Percent of respondents |
|---|---|
| No, and don't plan to | 58% |
| No, but plan to this year | 10% |
| Yes, in the past | 31% |
| Total who have tried or will try social recipes | 41% |
Forty-one percent have either tried or plan to try a recipe from TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram this Thanksgiving. The 10 percent planning to try social media recipes for the first time this year suggests the trend is still growing.
Viral Thanksgiving Dishes for 2025
Based on open-ended survey responses from our survey, these are the social media recipes most likely to make their way to Thanksgiving tables this year:
- Mac & cheese variations — Tini's mac and cheese recipe was frequently mentioned by name in our survey
- Advanced turkey techniques — Fried/deep-fried, brined, spatchcocked, smoked, and the cheesecloth method are trending online
- Stuffing innovations — Interesting spins on traditional stuffing, such as stuffing waffles and White Castle slider stuffing, are generating buzz
- Sweet potato everything — Feeds are overflowing with casseroles (including marshmallows or pecans), pies, and even candied yams
- Elevated potato dishes — Instead of just mashed or baked, TikTokers plan to level up potatoes with crispy-smashed, loaded, and scalloped/au gratin versions
- Green bean casserole — This controversial dish is still trending on social media, though 40 percent want it banned (its controversy may generate more social engagement!)
- Cranberry reinventions — Instead of simple sauces, look out for cranberry relish, bread, cookies, and mocktails
- Pumpkin desserts — Cheesecake, cookies, and bars might displace pies this season
- Boards — Charcuterie and butter boards lend visual appeal to social feeds and Thanskgiving buffets
Despite the rise of trendy dishes, the core menu remains familiar — turkey, potatoes, and stuffing are the top three most essential Thanksgiving foods according to our respondents. However, many households are trimming tradition around the edges. Green bean casserole and cranberry sauce top the list of foods people think should be banned forever and could be replaced with social media recipes.
What Dishes Should Stay on the Menu?
| Most essential dishes | Percentage who feel dish is essential | Most hated dishes | Percentage who say dish should be banned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 61% | Green bean casserole | 40% |
| Mashed potatoes | 51% | Cranberry sauce | 35% |
| Stuffing/dressing | 29% | Sweet potatoes/yams | 16% |
Note: Up to two responses allowed in each section
In addition to reinvented classics and cultural remixes (such as birria-style turkeys or boudin dressings), health-forward swaps, including plant-based main dishes, are becoming more popular at Thanksgiving tables. With one in three gatherings including someone with a dietary restriction, inclusivity is now a standard practice.
| How hosts accommodate dietary restrictions at Thanksgiving | Percent of people hosting guests with restrictions |
|---|---|
| Add a few inclusive dishes alongside traditional ones | 53% |
| The entire meal accommodates all dietary restrictions | 18% |
| Replace traditional dishes with alternatives | 15% |
| Guests bring their own | 6% |
| Don’t make any accommodations | 7% |
More than one in three Thanksgiving gatherings will have guests who need dietary accommodations. Most of these hosts plan to add at least one alternative dish to accommodate special diets, such as vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free, while maintaining the classics.
Health-conscious swaps are increasingly seen as part of hospitality, not a disruption. Interestingly, 39 percent of dieters admit they’re likely to “cheat" on Thanksgiving anyway, a reminder that indulgence still has its place at the table.
Political Division Is Changing the Holiday Guest List and the Conversation
As inflation reshapes what’s on the table and TikTok transforms how it’s cooked, growing cultural division is redefining who gathers around it. Many households are choosing peace over debate, creating new unspoken rules about what’s said and what’s off-limits during the meal.
Emotional labor (cooking, hosting, and managing family dynamics) now rivals financial stress as a leading Thanksgiving burden. The desire to “keep the peace" and maintain family unity is shaping how people gather and what they discuss.
| Which parts of Thanksgiving do you find most stressful? | Percent of respondents |
|---|---|
| Cooking & meal prep | 38% |
| Cleaning/hosting responsibilities | 36% |
| Family dynamics/conflict | 31% |
| Cost of the holiday | 28% |
| Political/personal discussions | 24% |
| Travel | 15% |
| Managing dietary restrictions | 4% |
| Nothing is stressful about Thanksgiving | 14% |
Note: Up to three responses allowed
Nearly one in three people told us that family conflict is one of the most stressful parts of Thanksgiving, and nearly a quarter said political or other personal talk is significantly stressful. At a time when intense political divisions are leading to fights and even family estrangement, some people are planning to avoid the topic altogether to preserve peace.
| Which topics do you plan to avoid during Thanksgiving? | Percentage of respondents |
|---|---|
| Politics | 58% |
| Religion | 29% |
| Money/finances | 28% |
| Health/body image | 18% |
| Relationships/dating | 13% |
| None of the above | 29% |
| At least one topic above | 71% |
Note: Multiple responses allowed
In fact, more than seven in ten Americans will skip at least one taboo topic this year, with politics leading by a wide margin. Others plan to avoid controversial or touchy topics like religion, money, and even body image or health topics. Thanksgiving is centered entirely on a shared meal, so it’s one of the most sensitive times to steer clear of judgmental comments about food or diets. Eighteen percent of people in our study plan to avoid the topic.
Political and generational divides, as well as toxic family dynamics, can leave much to be desired in a holiday gathering. Thankfully, Friendsgiving has emerged as a beloved alternative — or supplement — to the traditional family gathering. Fourteen percent of Americans plan to celebrate Friendsgiving in addition to a family meal, and this new tradition is especially popular among Gen Z and younger millennials.
| Will you celebrate Friendsgiving this year? | Percent of respondents |
|---|---|
| No | 69% |
| Yes, in addition to family Thanksgiving | 14% |
| Yes, instead of family Thanksgiving | 4% |
| Unsure | 13% |
Overall, the most important finding from our study may be the simplest: 82 percent will still celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Despite inflation fatigue, political tension, and logistical complexity, Americans aren't abandoning Thanksgiving. They’re redesigning it — proving that gratitude, gathering, and tradition adapt to meet each generation where they are.
Methodology
In October 2025, Savings.com polled 2,502 American adults online about their personal plans and preferences around Thanksgiving. The sample was constructed to be representative of the age, sex, ethnicity, and geographic region of the U.S. population, according to the Census. The median annual household income for this group was $65,000 per year.