The price of Thanksgiving dinner hits a record high this year due to production issues caused by a bird flu outbreak in the Midwest earlier this year. The average cost of Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people is $50.11. 

According to Fiscal Times, the average cost of food for the celebration has remained around $49 since 2011. These prices reflect the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people with a 16-pound turkey.

Turkey prices are up 6.42% this year due to the worst bird flu outbreak in U.S. history. By mid-June, the H5N2 virus had killed more than 48.1 million birds in the Midwest.

Fiscal Times reports:

Fears that a pumpkin shortage from wet weather would affect Thanksgiving pies also appear to be overblown. A 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix increased 8 cents this year to $3.20.

Other item prices that went up this year included a 14-ounce package of cubed bread stuffing (up 7 cents), two nine-inch pie shells (up a nickel), and 3 pounds of sweet potatoes (up a penny).

The prices of milk and miscellaneous ingredients experienced the largest year-over-year price declines. The price of whole milk dropped 51 cents, or 13.6 percent, and the price of miscellaneous ingredients, declined 30 cents, or 8.6 percent.

Obviously somebody is doing something wrong because the photo above shows a Thanksgiving shopping receipt at $151.39. Last minute purchases will include rolls, bananas, grapes, eggnog, and whatever didn't make the shopping list in the first place.

The Typical Thanksgiving Menu

• Turkey
• Stuffing
• Gravy
• Mashed potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Green bean casserole
• Acorn squash
• Cranberry sauce
• Fruit salad
• Dinner rolls
• Banana bread
• Apple pie
• Pumpkin pie

It's more expensive to make everything from scratch. Pre-packaged stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, pies, fruit salad, mashed potatoes are cheaper than homemade. Last minute purchases of about $30.00 will bring the total to $180.00. The average cost per person at dinner would be about $26.00. Is the national average realistic? Creating a Thanksgiving feast for around $50.00?

Ummm, it would be cheaper to go out for Thanksgiving dinner, but why would you deprive yourself of precious family time? Your home full of friends and family? Where dogs are begging, cats are trying to get into the house, kids are fighting over the TV, a husband who will disappear until dinner is on the table, and lots of dirty dishes! Because you know the memories are priceless.

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