Woman goes viral for canceling Thanksgiving dinner due to rising costs

Many Americans are feeling the pinch as they prepare for Thanksgiving this year, with higher grocery prices prompting some to make significant changes to their holiday plans.

In Mississippi, Tori Paschale has decided to forgo the traditional Thanksgiving feast altogether. Instead, her family will be enjoying a simpler meal.

“We’re gonna do spaghetti for Thanksgiving. It’s a lot easier,” Paschale told CNN. “You try to keep up with the tradition of Thanksgiving, but the way groceries are, unless you’re doing a potluck, if you put it just on one person, it breaks the bank.”

According to CNN, last year, Paschale hosted seven people for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

This year, overwhelmed by high grocery costs and the impending arrival of a new baby, she has opted to scale back, cooking only for her husband and children.

Paschale recently shared her frustrations about the rising costs on TikTok, where her post struck a chord with many viewers.

While some staple items for Thanksgiving dinner, such as turkey, have seen price decreases compared to last year, the cost of preparing a holiday meal remains significantly higher than before the pandemic.

According to inflation data, grocery prices have risen 22% since January 2021, and Thanksgiving dinner is expected to cost 19% more than it did pre-pandemic.

Paschale’s story reflects the broader struggles of families grappling with inflation this holiday season, as many Americans seek creative solutions to keep their celebrations affordable.