Holiday meals may be getting more expensive, but many Americans still are not planning to cut back on the traditions that bring family and friends together.
Here's what to know
According to new Omnisend survey results cited by USA Today, 50% of Americans say higher grocery costs are making holiday hosting more stressful.
Among the 1,000 U.S. consumers surveyed by Omnisend, 33% expect to spend more on holiday groceries and food than they did in 2025, while 53% still plan to take part in gatherings by hosting or bringing food.
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, food-at-home prices in August were 2.2% higher than in August 2025.
Price increases were even steeper for some holiday staples: other uncooked poultry, including turkey, rose 11.5%, while beef and veal increased 5.9%.
The survey also found that 20% of shoppers feel pressure to "do it right" when hosting.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Rather than skip the event entirely, Greg Zakowicz, Omnisend's ecommerce and retail adviser, told USA Today that many consumers may switch from brand-name items to lower-cost alternatives.
More background
For holiday grocery shopping, Walmart was the clear leader at 37%. Far behind were local or independent grocery stores at 11% and Kroger at 10%, followed by Amazon at 7.5%, Target at 7%, Costco at 6.7%, and Aldi at 5.8%, according to USA Today.
Zakowicz said shoppers are "looking for the best bang for the buck" and are drawn to retailers such as Walmart and Costco for value, store brands, and the convenience of buying multiple product categories in one trip.
USA Today also reported that 44% of consumers expect to carry holiday debt into 2027.
What can be done?
To keep costs under control, 35% said they plan to use coupons or discount codes, 27% said they expect to follow a strict holiday spending budget, and 23% said they will wait for sales before making purchases.
Another 19% said they plan to buy fewer items overall.
About 26% said they expect to begin holiday shopping earlier than usual, and 29% of that group said the goal is to spread costs across more paychecks.
Zakowicz also suggested lowering hosting costs by asking guests to bring dishes.
Zakowicz put it this way in remarks to USA Today: "Food is a connector. Hosting is a connector, and I think my guess is most people are not going to want to cut back on the groceries. They might trade down the brand names, go with the cheaper option, but they're still going to want the tradition."
Where can I learn more?
These stories examine the farm, weather, and economic pressures driving grocery prices higher.
• Across U.S. grocery aisles, higher prices show how cost pressures start on farms.
• Researchers say a troubling factor behind grocery inflation is becoming harder to ignore.
• A European Central Bank analysis found surprising factors driving food prices higher.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
