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In the end I think it would have been cheaper to eat out. I guess you can say that I'm lucky in only having to cook a small dinner. I can't imagine having a larger family or having to cook for a crowd this year.
The cost of everything so far for me has been 70.00 for 11 maybe 12 people, however I still have to get a mince pie, maybe another stick of pepperoni if I keep snacking on it while watching TV at night. It seems most places around here are charging anywhere between 12 and 15 dollars for a sit down buffet style meal at a restaurant.. Not including a beverage or the price of mixed drinks or beer.. so figure 11 people x 15.00 bare minimum= 165.00 not including a tip for the server(s)
11 people at home at 80 dollars spent(including the not yet bought mince pie) works out to be $7.27.. a person and there wont be any alcohol at the house unless someone brings it themselves.
And out of the $70 spent so far not all of that was Thanksgiving food, I also bought hot dogs and a 10.00 package of chicken wings we have had for dinner since then and most likely a few other things as well.
LOL! I can't even begin to tally. I'd drop dead from shock. (but that would be like every holiday around here. And as the meal lasts the whole day-well, what would a restaurant charge for the whole day?) Plus there's so many things I have to make ahead, already have, I'd drive myself crazy.
I did just tally the cost of the new type of cheesecake I made, not including the eggs, vanilla, cornstarch, raspberries I already had in the freezer, it came to $14.84 for a 9" cake. And this one's alittle smaller than my usual. And that's just 1 dessert.
The only good thing IS the leftovers. I decided to do a ham this year simply because I couldn't find a good price on turkey. I can make omelets, sandwiches, salads, cook down my vegetables in ham, etc. But this is definitely more expensive than previous years. Most of my sides I have in the deep freezer from summer "putting up."
I am serving only 7 including myself. Just put in my order for an 8 to 12 lb. turkey which is going to cost about 25.00. Trying to make everything from "scratch" so I hope to spend under $300 this year on everything. (that estimate includes a table centerpiece, drinks, and table dressing)
I am serving only 7 including myself. Just put in my order for an 8 to 12 lb. turkey which is going to cost about 25.00. Trying to make everything from "scratch" so I hope to spend under $300 this year on everything. (that estimate includes a table centerpiece, drinks, and table dressing)
You are going all out with the centerpiece and table dressing. I'm having family and one very close family like friend.
They come in the house all year and except for the turkey placemats there will be no fancy centerpiece or table dressings.
Martha Stewart I am not. I'm also perfectly happy with my 23 pound turkey that we got at wal-mart for $14.00..
We cant be doing too bad seeing as everyones been coming here or in NY for the 40 years I have been alive.
I generally spend around $150, not including liquor.
Thank goodness I already own good china, crystal, silver, etc...
I have a beautiful antique porcelain cornucopia that I fill with ornamental squash/gourds for a centerpiece, very classic!
The most expensive thing on my thanksgiving table will be the turkey breast which might end up costing me $15 if I don't find a coupon soon!
We are 2 adults and 2 kids, so the cost will likely be under $30. And I just used a Groupon I bought ages ago to get a box of fresh farm veggies delivered on Tuesday which will cover most of it.
I'm interested to know what's in that cheesecake because I make a reasonably decadent white chocolate raspberry cheesecake that has 2 lbs of cream cheese in it and it doesn't cost that much!
If I was cooking for more people I'd give serious consideration to ordering some of it in from the local supermarket. You can get a meal that feeds 6-8 for $40 at our local Safeway.
I'm interested to know what's in that cheesecake because I make a reasonably decadent white chocolate raspberry cheesecake that has 2 lbs of cream cheese in it and it doesn't cost that much!
Nabisco Famous Chocolate Cookies $4.19
(Oreos would have been $2.78, but
I choose to use the above instead)
1 Lb. sweet butter $2.93 ÷ 4 sticks = $ .73 (recipe needs 2TBS+1 tsp.)
3 Philly CreamCheese @ $1.18 ea.= $3.54 (and they were on sale!)
1 whole pkg. Baker's Secret
Semi-sweet choc. sqrs. $2.24
Sour Cream $1.42
Smuckers Raspberry Preserves $2.87
________________
$ 14.99
and that's without the eggs, vanilla, sugar & frozen raspberries I already have. Any other questions?
Hot autumn punch
A 20-lb turkey and gravy
Mashed potatoes
Green bean casserole
Spinach gratin
Roasted Brussels sprouts
Strawberry Jell-O pretzel ... salad? (Not sure what to call it)
Winter squash rolls
Homemade cranberry sauce, plus the stuff in a can
Two store-bought pies with whipped cream
We'll end up with a few ingredients left over, like butter and extra apple juice, etc., and we already have a few things on hand like chicken broth and yeast. Serving six with plenty of leftovers.
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(but that would be like every holiday around here. And as the meal lasts the whole day-well, what would a restaurant charge for the whole day?) Plus there's so many things I have to make ahead, already have, I'd drive myself crazy.
And that's just 1 dessert.
