Thanksgiving Dinner: Comparing the Cost of Cooking, Takeout, and Dining Out

By Emily Lugg, Cheapism.com

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Thanksgiving is a time for friends and families to gather, share a big meal, and reflect on their blessings. Along with that comes the expectation of a full-on turkey dinner, not to mention the stress associated with planning, doing, and expense.

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So consider the alternatives. Instead of preparing a meal from scratch, you can carry out from a restaurant or grocery, dine at a commercial eatery, or organize a potluck. We can't decide for you which will be the least taxing, but we figured out which will be easiest on your wallet. (Spoiler alert: A home-cooked meal for eight rings up the highest tab at $13.20/person compared with $9/person when dining out.)

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