As many Americans brace for rising food prices this holiday season, some families are finding it necessary to break from tradition—especially when it comes to the Thanksgiving feast.
Tori Paschale from Mississippi is one of many who chose to simplify her holiday dinner this year due to the high cost of groceries.
“We did spaghetti for Thanksgiving,” Paschale explained in a viral TikTok video, where she shared her frustration over the soaring prices. “It was just easier. You want to honor the holiday, but with how high groceries are, if it’s all on one person, it’s way too much.”
Last year, Paschale spent nearly $500 on a Thanksgiving feast for seven people. But with a baby due and the cost of groceries still hitting her wallet hard, she made the decision to cook for just her immediate family this year, opting for a more affordable meal.
Her TikTok video, in which she jokingly listed off traditional holiday foods only to add, “nah, I ain’t got the funds,” quickly resonated with thousands of viewers, who assured her that she wasn’t alone in facing the financial strain of Thanksgiving.
Many shared similar stories of how inflation has made it difficult to continue holiday traditions, especially when grocery prices are 22% higher than they were in 2021.
Paschale’s candid video highlighted a broader issue as inflation continues to impact the cost of living across the country.
Despite some food prices decreasing slightly this year, a Thanksgiving meal still costs 19% more than it did before the pandemic. For many, the rising cost of groceries has forced them to re-evaluate their holiday plans.
“Instead of spending close to $500, I figured, I’m gonna keep it simple,” Paschale said, stressing that her focus was not on perfection, but on spending quality time with family.
While Paschale’s decision to forgo the traditional holiday spread might have felt like a sacrifice, she’s found comfort in knowing that others are facing the same challenges.
“You feel like you’re taking the holidays away from your family,” she said, “but when you see so many others going through the same thing, it’s comforting to know it’s not just you.”
This Thanksgiving, many Americans are rethinking what it means to celebrate, with an increased focus on family time and creativity in the kitchen, rather than stressing over rising food costs.
