By Julie Tomascik

Grocery lists are made, family members have their food assignments and the carving knife is sharp.

I can almost smell the turkey baking in the oven and the gravy simmering on the stove.

That means Thanksgiving is just around the corner. And shoppers are flooding grocery stores to prep for the holiday feast.

What’s the cost of this year’s Thanksgiving dinner?

Surprisingly, prices are more affordable than last year.

Texas Farm Bureau’s annual Thanksgiving Meal Report shows savings are on the menu this year with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people ringing in at $46.79.

That’s a decrease of $1.29 from last year. Small, but every little bit counts when you’re feeding a hungry crowd.

Frozen, 16-pound turkeys check out at over $1 less than last year, averaging at $19.68.

A large, global wheat supply has prices for wheat-derived products down. So, pie shells, stuffing and rolls are less expensive than last year.

And you can’t forget the pecans. Those are down, also, making the traditional dessert even sweeter.

However, a couple of holiday favorites are on the rise this year. Sweet potatoes and cranberries–jellied and canned–increased slightly.

But Thanksgiving is about more than just your total grocery bill. It’s about time together as a family and reflecting on the things for which we are grateful. And for the farmers and ranchers who grow the foods we eat.

So, here’s to fun, family and good times this holiday season.

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