By Jessica Domel

With Christmas trees popping up all over town, carols playing on the radio and holiday gift guides making their way to my mailbox, it would be almost easy to forget that one of my favorite holidays of the year is rapidly approaching. Poor Thanksgiving has been stepped on a bit this year, but I haven’t forgotten it. You see, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.

I love turkey, dressing and the cranberry sauce with the little dents on the side from the can it rolled out of. I look forward to my grandmother’s German noodles, which are to die for, and the table of desserts that seems to get longer each year. But most of all, I love seeing my family. I love hearing stories about their kids, their jobs and random things that have happened to them since the last time we spoke.

It’s just such a happy time.

As if that isn’t enough, there’s good news to accompany this year’s holiday. The meal, even for our large family, will be affordable.

According to the informal Grocery Price Watch conducted by Texas Farm Bureau volunteers, the average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving feast for 10 is only $48.08. While that is a bit of an increase over last year’s cost–about $2–it ends up costing around $5 per person. That’s less than a value meal at some fast food restaurants!

I don’t know about you, but my family loves saving money as well as good food and fellowship. I get the feeling this holiday is going to be a great one. Hopefully yours is, too!