Costco Deluxe Thanksgiving Feast 12-14 guests $150 FS (Turkey min 14 lb, Sides, Deserts total 27 lb)...$125 if stacked w/AmEx deal

Quote from dumars : These meals are like $50 at my grocery store- and, no, I don't live in those areas where everything is dirt cheap.

Those $50 meals won't feed 12-14 guests (the Costco meal features larger portions and more items).

But I do agree that you could replicate a similar meal for $20 (slighly more in pricier markets). Turkeys are selling for less than $1/lb., yams will drop to less than 50c/lb., and things like Stove Top Stuffing, Heinz Garvey, etc. are selling for a quarter a box/jar after printable coupons. Stouffer’s has introduced seasonal family-sized entrees consisting of traditional sides; Kroger had them 2/$8 (or $5/each) and printable $1.50 coupons were available.

That said, the process of cooking & clean-up is stressful to many. My (theatric) elderly mother cries and whines for weeks following the holiday, yet is too stubborn to let others do the cooking. Thus, we now purchase prepared meals.

Quote from Nate650 : Your prices seem exaggerated toward the lower side. Did you take into account 12-14 servings? Also where do you get a turkey for $7? I know prices can range tremendously based on quality. For example a local farm charges $105 for a 13-15 pound pasture-raised turkey which is essentially the highest quality available. That comes out to ~7.50/lb.

If you shop early (like beginning now) and use coupons, then no, his prices aren't exaggerated. Turkeys are selling for less than $1/lb, even in markets like Chicago. Yes, you can buy premium turkeys selling for as much as $10/lb, but the (generic) $1/lb. turkey is closer to what Costco would be selling you. Same applies to the side dishes.

Quote from las2ams : Those $50 meals won't feed 12-14 guests (the Costco meal features larger portions and more items). But I do agree that you could replicate a similar meal for $20 (slighly more in pricier markets). Turkeys are selling for less than $1/lb., yams will drop to less than 50c/lb., and things like Stove Top Stuffing, Heinz Garvey, etc. are selling for a quarter a box/jar after printable coupons. Stouffer’s has introduced seasonal family-sized entrees consisting of traditional sides; Kroger had them 2/$8 (or $5/each) and printable $1.50 coupons were available. That said, the process of cooking & clean-up is stressful to many. My (theatric) elderly mother cries and whines for weeks following the holiday, yet is too stubborn to let others do the cooking. Thus, we now purchase prepared meals. If you shop early (like beginning now) and use coupons, then no, his prices aren't exaggerated. Turkeys are selling for less than $1/lb, even in markets like Chicago. Yes, you can buy premium turkeys selling for as much as $10/lb, but the (generic) $1/lb. turkey is closer to what Costco would be selling you. Same applies to the side dishes.

Thanks for the clarification. I was assuming the entire meal would be created from scratch without the use of pre-made industrial stuff like Stove Top stuffing mix. For me, using products like Stouffer's takes away from the "homemade" appeal. In that case you're essentially getting a fast food meal that has been prepared at home.

To the people saying they can feed 12-14 people on Thanksgiving for $20, remind me to never eat at your house.

Quote from bbm4l1fe : ..ill keep my $130 turkey $7 stuffing $2 sweet potatoes $3 Fully cooked garlic mashed potatoes $3 Fully cooked turkey gravy... free with bird...eh... 10 cents of flour Cranberry Sauce 75 cents Apple Cobbler $4 must be nice not having to do the work...

Not sure where you got your make believe prices but a 13lb turkey doesnt run 7 dollars unless its dolphin. As well as the rest of your prices are pretty lame if you want to slander a thread at least put up prices that are more similar to what it costs.
Like to know where a 3lb cobbler is for $4 as well. Not going to nit pik your number because there all wrong. 10 cents for 1.5 of stuffing? I'm glad I wont be eating your crappy food.

Quote from phillylex : To the people saying they can feed 12-14 people on Thanksgiving for $20, remind me to never eat at your house.

100% Agreed

Anyone take a look at the nutritional info that's posted on the page?
They list 3 oz of turkey and 2 tbsp of gravy as one "serving size".

If you eat the recommended serving size of everything in the meal it comes to a lowly 1055 calories.

Quote from Nate650 : Your prices seem exaggerated toward the lower side. Did you take into account 12-14 servings? Also where do you get a turkey for $7? I know prices can range tremendously based on quality. For example a local farm charges $105 for a 13-15 pound pasture-raised turkey which is essentially the highest quality available. That comes out to ~7.50/lb.

Still can make it cheaper for 10 people.

I could prob do 10 people for about 70 dollars.. You have to keep in mind a ton of thanksgiving stuff goes on sale too around this time

Quote from Nate650 : Your prices seem exaggerated toward the lower side. Did you take into account 12-14 servings? Also where do you get a turkey for $7? I know prices can range tremendously based on quality. For example a local farm charges $105 for a 13-15 pound pasture-raised turkey which is essentially the highest quality available. That comes out to ~7.50/lb.

Butterball turkey-Up to 22 lbs-$10 at local Safeway/Vons with min $75 purchase...Save the $95 from the pasture-raised bird to buy all the other fixings (and a nice Brandy for after dessert)

Seems like a decent deal imho....BUT, a 14 lb turkey for 12-14 people?!?! NO WAY is that enough bird for MY family.....I always suggest 1.5-2 lbs / person if you want any leftovers.......The easy way to solve this would be to buy one of these packages, and then ALSO make a medium size turkey breast (meat only...real easy) in your home oven to go with it.

Quote from phillylex : To the people saying they can feed 12-14 people on Thanksgiving for $20, remind me to never eat at your house.

I'm not arguing or agreeing that you could feed 12-14 people for $20, I'm arguing/agreeing that you could replicate the meal Costco's selling for about $20 (slightly more if you live in a pricier market). Whole turkeys are selling for .77/lb at Walmart; Stove Top stuffing, Heinz gravy and Oceanspray Cranberry Sauce are selling for 25c-50c (after coupons) in grocery stores like Kroger; Sufferer's Family Size Holiday sides are selling for $2.50-$3.50 after coupon (or skimp and buy instant potatoes for $1 or less); and sweet potatoes will drop to less than 50c/lb. Just add your favorite pre-made dessert for $3-$4.

Is this the most tasty Thanksgiving dinner? No. Is it the healthiest? No. But is it good? Yes, and the quality/taste will be on-par with that of Costco's meal. You're certainly not getting gourmet food, let alone a $100 turkey, from Costco.

Is the Costco deal a good deal? If you're willing to cook your food, no. But if your family stresses out, then absolutely.

making it is one thing. the deal is about the prepared meal in itself. if you can find a cheaper (similar quality) meal than the costco deal, discuss. if not, this isn't about what you can make for $10.

extreme couponers and extreme cheapskates would be laughing at us. they could probably make their thanksgiving dinner for free and then somehow make money off of it.

Quote from phillylex : To the people saying they can feed 12-14 people on Thanksgiving for $20, remind me to never eat at your house.

+1 to this.

Wonder if I can return this meal, after caving it down on Thanksgiving day...and tell them, "it was terrible" only show up with bones and cleaned plates.

LOL

Good deal, if you value you time. If we all eat like slickdeals, then we would never eat at any rest....cause we can all make it cheaper at home.

No threadcrapping here. But a wee bit of clarification, I 'd bet I can make a from scratch fab dinner for 10 for $40. it's the meal that impresses so many people and although it's a lot of prep, it's my one time of year to impress folks that I invite and then each family usually invites me out to dinner later in the month to say thanks for a great meal.... a SD if there was one.

Whole cranberries made into sauce. Yams. Mashed garlic potatoes. turkey. green beans. pie - i let the guests bring more dessert/salad/apps

Quote from Ringo44 : Butterball turkey-Up to 22 lbs-$10 at local Safeway/Vons with min $75 purchase...Save the $95 from the pasture-raised bird to buy all the other fixings (and a nice Brandy for after dessert)

This. Or "free" after spending XXX amount in the month or two ahead of time. We used to get ~2 free turkeys at A&P every year just in buying normal groceries throughout the fall. And I can guarantee you that the $120 Costco turkey isn't a $7.50/lb free-range, freshly-killed bird...

We get a freshly killed turkey through our local butcher for ~$1.80/lb ($2/lb?), and the rest of the meal couldn't cost more than $15-20 or so. Make your guests in charge of wine and *poof* there goes the most expensive part of your dinner. It would be easy to cook a better meal than you'd get at Costco for probably $30-40. $20 would be a stretch unless you're getting a free turkey from your grocery store.

Btw, your $0.75 on cranberry sauce doesn't mean much when you split it 12-14 ways...