Have you started thinking about Thanksgiving yet? Most of us probably haven’t, since it’s technically still summer, but Butterball doesn’t think it’s too soon. The turkey brand has just come out with their Togetherness Report: 2025 Thanksgiving Outlook, giving us a peek at how Americans plan to shop, cook and entertain for the upcoming holiday.
Every year, the company surveys potential hosts and guests to find out their plans and expectations for Thanksgiving. The 2025 Togetherness Report includes responses from 1,678 people and it reveals 89% plan to celebrate Thanksgiving this year.
- And they’re going big. After shrinking during the pandemic and the years following, larger groups are gathering to feast once again. Hosts are expecting an average of nine attendees this year, up from just five in 2020.
- Spending time with family is what people are looking forward to most this Thanksgiving, followed by the food and relaxing.
- Hosting can be stressful, but most have a positive outlook, including 36% who agree with the statement: “I try not to worry too much because it always ends up being fun,” and a third who agree: “I feel confident and calm about hosting.”
- Cost cutting isn’t a top concern now, as 58% say they’re not making any changes to Thanksgiving to save money.
- To keep spending down, some hosts plan to ask guests to bring something for the meal (21%), while others are changing side dishes (15%), switching non-food items, like paper goods or decor (14%), or changing the dessert (12%)
- And for most folks, turkey remains the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving feast, with 84% planning to serve a bird this year.
- Oven-roasting is the preferred way to cook it, but some are fans of smoking or deep-frying it.
- Nearly half (47%) say turkey is their favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal, with stuffing coming in second (41%), followed by pie (29%), sweet potatoes and potatoes (tied with 26% each), and mac and cheese (18%).
Source: Martha Stewart