Thanksgiving Fun Facts
2:46 AMPosted by: John S Kiernan
Settlers of the Plymouth Colony and their Wampanoag tribe predecessors kicked off a grand tradition way back in 1621. And for that we should all be thankful, if for nothing else than a day off from work and school. But the Thanksgiving we celebrate today is a lot different than that first festival in honor of a particularly bountiful harvest.
Sure, we still eat turkey, potatoes and pumpkin. And we continue to use the occasion to reflect on the things we cherish most, such as friends and family. But a pair of additional F’s – football and Friday – has become just as important to some. The NFL’s three-game Thanksgiving slate earned more than 83 million combined viewers last year, and we spent more than $10 billion on Black Friday shopping – on top of the billions we spent preparing for Thanksgiving itself. So if it isn’t tryptophan that puts you to sleep this Thanksgiving, it might be 12 hours of pigskin or an early wake-up call for a day of deal hunting.
However you plan to celebrate Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday shopping season, we’ve got you covered. WalletHub took an in-depth look at Thanksgiving’s humble roots and how it’s evolved over time in preparing this report. The infographic below is filled with fun facts on every aspect of Thanksgiving, from how much we spend to how much we eat. And the Ask The Experts section that follows features a panel discussion on Thanksgiving money-wasters and dining tips.
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In search of a deeper understanding of Thanksgiving’s multi-faceted role in modern life, we posed the following questions to a panel of experts in consumer studies, history and economics. You can check out their bios and responses below.
- What are the biggest Thanksgiving money-wasters?
- What are the most cost effective days/times to fly around the Thanksgiving holiday?
- What are the most cost effective ways to put on a feast for friends and family without breaking the bank?
Werner H. Kunz Associate Professor of Marketing and Director of the Digital Media Lab at the University of Massachusetts Boston, and Chair of the Service Research Special Interest Group of the American Marketing Association
Stephen D. Cox Professor of English Literature at the University of California, San Diego
Stefan Ryll Associate Professor in the Culinary Arts Program at Southern New Hampshire University School of Business
Robert Hansen Executive Chef and Assistant Professor of Culinary Arts at Bob Jones University
Kristin Branch Director of the A.C. Nielsen Center for Marketing Research in the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Julienne M. Guyette Senior Lecturer and Program Chair of Culinary Arts & Nutrition in the Thompson School of Applied Science at the University of New Hampshire
Jonathan Deutsch Professor in the Center for Hospitality and Sport Management at Drexel University
John Stauffer Sumner R. and Marshall S. Kates Professor of English and African and African American Studies at Harvard University
What are the biggest Thanksgiving money-wasters? The biggest point on the Thanksgiving list is travel. Avoiding the competitive times is the biggest money saver. Consider hosting Thanksgiving. This can be actually cheaper than being invited. A typical money-waster is also too much food in general. We all tend to overdo it. And food that is bought, cooked and prepared, but not eaten (even as leftover) is a shame and pure money-waster. What are the most cost effective days/times to fly around the Thanksgiving holiday? Thursday morning, although this is very risky, regarding delays etc. Avoid Wednesday and Sunday afternoon. What are the most cost effective ways to put on a feast for friends and family without breaking the bank? While shopping for things you need anyway, keep an eye on store specials to earn a free turkey. If you are hosting a big group, complement one big turkey with turkey breast and thighs. Stephen D. Cox Professor of English Literature at the University of California, San Diego 
What are the biggest Thanksgiving money-wasters? The biggest waste at Thanksgiving time is any "sale" you need to line up for. Aren't your time and energy worth something? Of course, there are people who regard lining up on Black Friday or whenever as a social event. If you're like that, fine -- but you're paying a lot for it. And perhaps if you used that time to look into some less popular venues, you might get a better deal, moneywise. Running around to stores where you have coupons is also a waste. Think of the gas you use. What are the most cost effective days/times to fly around the Thanksgiving holiday? I've generally found that flying mid-day or late-day on Thanksgiving itself is easiest and least expensive. Flying back on Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend is a close second. It's great to be able to get the ticket you want, at a better price, and sometimes enter an airport that's virtually empty. What are the most cost effective ways to put on a feast for friends and family without breaking the bank? Decide what food is obligatory for your meal. What do you have to have? Turkey and potatoes aren't that expensive. It's the things you don't really need -- the little candies, for instance -- that run up the bill. Stefan Ryll Associate Professor in the Culinary Arts Program at Southern New Hampshire University School of Business 
What are the biggest Thanksgiving money-wasters? One of the biggest Thanksgiving money-waster is perhaps buying overpriced holiday decorations. Craft your own instead. This is a great way to involve your kids in the holiday preparation, and have some family fun at the same time. By handcrafting holiday decorations, you can save a great deal of money while still making your house look festive. Leftovers are a typical Thanksgiving tradition. But every year, quite a few leftovers go to waste, as families get sick of eating the same things day after day. If you have an accurate head count for the holiday, you should have a pretty good idea of how much food to prepare. You can also have creative backup plans for any leftovers, instead of just living off turkey sandwiches. Consider using your leftover turkey creatively by including it in casseroles and salads, or perhaps a nice turkey chili. Paper plates and plastic utensils may save some cleanup time, but they are an unnecessary expense. So, dust up the fancy china. The Thanksgiving holiday is the perfect occasion to celebrate with fancy glassware and elegant serving trays. What are the most cost effective ways to put on a feast for friends and family without breaking the bank? If you have the time and the inclination, you can save money by preparing your Thanksgiving meal from scratch, rather than from ready mixes or already prepared foods. Yes, cooking can be time-consuming, so get creative in finding help. Get your kids or spouse involved in the food preparation. After all, Thanksgiving is a family affair. One of the best cost-saving strategies for Thanksgiving is to make it a potluck event. Task each attendee or family member with bringing a dish to share. Do not be afraid to make category assignments, so you don’t accidentally end up with an entire meal of desserts or just appetizers. With this positive and fun team approach, everyone feels like a part of the meal, and everyone shares the cost. Finally, one of the biggest budget killers for Thanksgiving is the turkey. To have enough for meat for all your guests without buying more than you need, plan on one pound per person. For example, a 20-pound turkey will comfortably satisfy 20 guests. Robert Hansen Executive Chef and Assistant Professor of Culinary Arts at Bob Jones University 
What are the biggest Thanksgiving money-wasters? One of the biggest Thanksgiving money-wasters is an unreasonably large menu. Many cooks try to go all out on their Thanksgiving menu. They may tackle more than they can handle in the kitchen size they are working in, or may prepare more menu items than can be eaten by the people they are feeding. It is better to focus on foods that everyone will eat and enjoy. What are the most cost effective ways to put on a feast for friends and family without breaking the bank? The most cost-effective way to put on a Thanksgiving feast is to plan well. Focus on the items that people will definitely eat, and don’t prepare unpopular items. Planning appropriate quantities will save on preparation time, and also reduces unnecessary spending. Making items from scratch is not only cost-effective, but also allows for creating healthy menu alternatives, such as sugar-free, dairy-free or gluten-free. Kristin Branch Director of the A.C. Nielsen Center for Marketing Research in the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison 
What are the biggest Thanksgiving money-wasters? We teach our students about how marketing and business can be improved by understanding consumer behavior and psychology. So, products and services that fill a real consumer or human benefit are what win hearts and dollars. The real money-wasters are when some gadget is on-sale and people think the price discount makes it worthwhile; often, brands and products that provide a benefit to the experience is what win in these emotion-rich holidays. What are the most cost effective ways to put on a feast for friends and family without breaking the bank? I think businesses and products that help add to the experience will win this holiday, versus fancy details that may soon be forgotten. Focus on connecting to each other emotionally over spending on fancy accessories that will just get tossed with the turkey carcass. Julienne M. Guyette Senior Lecturer and Program Chair of Culinary Arts & Nutrition in the Thompson School of Applied Science at the University of New Hampshire 
What are the most cost effective ways to put on a feast for friends and family without breaking the bank? Roast turkey with pan gravy -- I teach Culinary Arts at the Thompson School of Applied Science at the University of New Hampshire, and in an upcoming class, we are roasting. This classic technique also enables the creation of a delicious by-product: pan gravy. In my extended family gathering, Thanksgiving (unless I’m hosting) looks very different -- jarred gravy, canned cranberry, boxed stuffing mix, store-bought rolls and pies, aerosol whipped cream; typical American convenience products. Want to save money this holiday? Than why not celebrate the lost art of cooking, and cook it from scratch -- it’s healthier, costs much less and tastes a lot better. When meats are roasted, the meat releases juices and fats that accumulate in the bottom of the roasting pan. Traditionally, these juices are re-applied to the surface of the meat, basting while roasting occurs. Once the meat reaches the minimum internal temperature for safety (165 °F for poultry), the meat is removed from the oven, covered in aluminum foil and left to rest. As the roast rests, the juices that have accumulated in the roasting pan are then poured off, where the fat will naturally collect at the top. This fat is removed put into a sauce pan where flour (or another starch -- rice flour is gluten-free) is added and cooked out to remove starchy taste from the flour. This is a roux, and should be equal parts fat and flour. It takes about two tablespoons of roux to thicken two cups (one pint) of non-fat drippings/stock into gravy. Many simply remove their roast from the roasting pan and add flour directly to roasting juices -- this works, but can create lumps, since the water-soluble components in the drippings cause the starch to thicken before they are coated with fat. Once the roux is cooked out, stock/drippings are added, and this mixture will thicken to full potential upon simmering 20 minutes. Additional stock beyond the drippings that accumulate are often needed to create enough gravy. Days before, prepare a proper poultry stock by simmering poultry bones with mirepoix (onions, celery, carrot) and aromatics (bay leaf, garlic, peppercorns, clove, parsley stems, thyme) for 3-4 hours. Poultry parts with bones can be simmered, meat removed and bones returned to simmer to provide cooked meat. Jonathan Deutsch Professor in the Center for Hospitality and Sport Management at Drexel University 
What are the biggest Thanksgiving money-wasters?
- Prepared foods -- knowing how to cook and doing it yourself is the best way to save.
- Big screen TV -- talk and walk after dinner, or go outside to play football.
- Fine wine -- don’t waste the good stuff on unappreciative relatives.
- Focus on the sides. Buy better quality meat and serve less of it. Focus on vegetables and whole grains for health, bulk and wallet-sensitivity.
- Cook. Money spent at restaurants is fun and prepared foods can be convenient, but cooking for your family yourself is almost always the most cost-effective, if you have the time.
- Course your meal. Start with soup, salad and bread which are healthy, delicious, filling, and cost-effective. Pricier items are served later and you’ll eat less of them.
- Save and repurpose leftovers.
What are the biggest Thanksgiving money-wasters? Waiting until the week before Thanksgiving to arrange travel plans. Flying your entire family cross-country to see friends or family you're not even close to; travelling on the most expensive days -- flying out Tuesday and returning on Sunday of Thanksgiving week; and booking your ticket a week before flying. What are the most cost effective days/times to fly around the Thanksgiving holiday? Fly out or return on Thanksgiving Day, or fly out the Saturday before Thanksgiving and return Monday or Tuesday afternoon after Thanksgiving. What are the most cost effective ways to put on a feast for friends and family without breaking the bank? Don't eat out, don't hire people to cook for you, and don't serve expensive wine and liquor. Serve a modest meal. Prepare them for it by quoting Lincoln. He created the national holiday during the Civil War. He told his fellow citizens to "humble themselves in the dust" and to pray for a return of "Peace, Union, and Harmony throughout the land." Remind your family and friends that another civil war is raging, and that we must again humble ourselves in the dust and pray for peace, union, and harmony. You family and friends will thank you for the modesty of the meal.from Wallet HubWallet Hub
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