With Thanksgiving almost here, higher grocery prices are an unavoidable reality. Shoppers feel it in nearly every aisle, from staples to specialty items. Yet despite the rising cost of holiday ingredients, Americans are showing a surprising amount of consistency in what they plan to serve this year. According to a new survey from DuraPlas, the traditional holiday lineup is proving tougher to shake than inflation itself.
Two out of three Americans expect their holiday meal to cost more than last year. Nearly one in five says the increase will be significant. Even so, only a small portion of people appear willing to adjust their menu. 43% say they are not changing a thing, and most of the rest plan only minor tweaks.
Inflation may be shaping the mood of the season, but it is not reshaping the food.
Taste Still Drives the Decision Making
One of the more striking findings in the survey is the role taste plays in holiday cooking plans. When participants ranked the factors that matter most in choosing what to serve, taste came in first at 46%. Price was second at 30%, followed by tradition and brand loyalty. Sustainability trailed far behind.
That ranking helps explain why menus are staying consistent. When flavor leads the way, people gravitate toward the same dishes they enjoy every year. The favorites remain favorites, regardless of what is happening at the checkout counter.
Homemade Food Still Rules the Table
The survey also shows that most households still prefer to cook their holiday meals themselves. 32% say their entire spread is homemade, and more than three quarters say at least half their dishes are prepared from scratch. Only a small portion rely heavily on prepared foods or delivery services. In fact, 71% say they have never used instant delivery for holiday ingredients.
This preference for homemade food keeps the holiday meal rooted in familiar methods. People stick to the recipes they know, partly because they like the results and partly because holiday food has always been a hands-on experience.
Plans and Gatherings Look Familiar Too
Rising food prices are not changing how people plan to gather. 74% of Americans expect to attend the same number of holiday events as last year, and 61% say their main celebration will include seven or more guests. The social side of the season is holding steady, even if budgets feel tighter.
Shopping patterns show a similar kind of stability. A majority plan to shop at their usual time, while 37% say they are buying ingredients earlier than they normally would. Early shopping may reflect a mix of caution and practicality, but it has not led to major changes in what ends up on the table.
A Consistent Table in an Inconsistent Year
Taken together, the findings paint a picture of a holiday season that looks remarkably familiar. Costs are up, but gatherings are not shrinking. People are planning ahead a little more, but not rewriting their menus. Homemade dishes remain the norm. Taste still leads the way.
For all the conversation about inflation, the holiday table appears to be one place where Americans are choosing continuity. The ingredients may cost more, but the traditions remain intact. With Thanksgiving only days away, that steady sense of routine seems to be one of the defining features of the season.