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Thanksgiving Dinner Prices On The Rise, But $45,000? [Video, Photos]

By Charisse Van Horn
Published on: 10:53 PST, Nov 19, 2015

Thanksgiving dinner prices are on the rise, according to a new survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). But would you consider paying $45,000 for Thanksgiving dinner? While the AFBF determined that the price of Thanksgiving dinner for 10 increased 70 cents from 2014 to 2015, and now costs an average $50.11, a New York restaurant is offering a luxury-filled engagement dinner for a special couple at the mere price of $45,000. Owner of The Old Homestead Steakhouse Marc Sherry spoke with ABC News about the seven-course Thanksgiving dinner that includes a $4,900 bottle of bourbon, caviar worth $1600 per ounce, and a 2-carat, emerald-cut, diamond engagement ring.

“Thanksgiving weekend kicks off the proposal season that runs until Valentine’s Day. Anyone can get engaged on Valentine’s Day, but not many can do it with turkey and stuffing.”

Just as the AFBF determined Thanksgiving dinner prices increased from 2014 to 2015, so too has the price for the Old Homestead Steakhouse’s Thanksgiving engagement meal. According to the report, the offer was $35,000 in 2014. Sherry continued to expound upon the perks associated with the Thanksgiving dinner.

“It’s like getting engaged on the mound at Yankees Stadium or the top of the Empire State Building, something really different.”

For those who can’t fit a $45,000 Thanksgiving dinner in their budget, there’s help available. As the AFBF confirmed your turkey dinner from scratch will cost more this year (and in any year previous), one blogger decided to compare Thanksgiving dinner prices at stores such as Whole Foods, Target, Bob Evans Farms, Cracker Barrel, and more. This isn’t a comparison on prices for making your turkey dinner from scratch, but rather a comparison for those who want to order their Thanksgiving dinner to go.

So what does $45,000 get you in addition to the bourbon, caviar, and 2-carat engagement ring? There’s more to the package than just food. In addition to the Thanksgiving dinner that serves eight, there’s an included $7,500 Black Friday, Bergdorf Goodman shopping deal, tickets to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person, limousine escort service for your engagement events, a two-night stay at the Waldorf Astoria, and a videographer who will ensure your proposal is recorded and saved for your sentimental purpose. Keep in mind that the typical cost for Thanksgiving dinner at the Old Homestead Steakhouse is $65.

As for those cooking their Thanksgiving dinner at home, there’s a reason why it will cost you more; especially when it comes to the price of your turkey. According to AFBF Deputy Chief Economist John Anderson, the Avian flu is to blame for higher turkey prices, though not by much. The price for turkey increased less than nine cents per pound between 2014 and 2015.

“Retail prices seem to have stabilized quite a bit for turkey, which is the centerpiece of the meal in our marketbasket. There were some production disruptions earlier this year due to the highly pathogenic Avian influenza outbreak in the Midwest. Turkey production is down this year but not dramatically. Our survey shows a modest increase in turkey prices compared to last year. But we’re now starting to see retailers feature turkeys aggressively for the holiday. According to USDA retail price reports, featured prices fell sharply just last week and were actually lower than last year.”

What are your plans for Thanksgiving dinner? Will you be cooking from scratch, going out to eat, or ordering your Thanksgiving dinner to go? Or are you planning a special proposal at the Old Homestead Steakhouse for a whopping $45,000?

https://youtu.be/WakgLYqx3R8

[Photo Credit: PRNewsFoto/The American Farm Bureau]

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