As I read this thread, I am seeing an ad on the side from Boston Market saying a boneless turkey and ham dinner for $115.
“I asked her what she was contributing. She said everything else. I guess it is the thought that counts.”
Actually, its the side dishes that are all the work, IMHO. The turkey is the easy part.
@Magnetron - I need more details on this gallon of whipped cream being delivered. 
My turn to host this year. We will have between 15 and 20 people, depending on how many extras show up.
I’ll fix two turkeys- H will put one in the smoker, gravy, one side, possibly an app.
Total turkey cost is in the neighborhood of $65 + another $8 or so for butter, onion, celery, garlic for the insides.
I make stock and gravy ahead of time, which will run about $10.
At least 2 apple pies will be $10-12 for the apples
Sisters will contribute rolls, sides, dressing, and pumpkin pie.
Miscellaneous extras like half and half, whipping cream, butter, olives, and I’m up over $100.
Wine is a sunk cost as it will be pulled from the wine fridge day of
We typically have plenty of leftovers to share.
Thanksgiving is easier on the budget because the menu doesn’t change much. Christmas on the other hand involves prime rib, a pork roast, and more pricey (changing year to year) sides.
We brined our turkeys ourselves in the past, but found 2-3 years ago that TJ’s fresh, brined turkeys are great.
I wish I had a better story for you, doschicos, but it will be eaten over four days with desserts - lots and lots of desserts. We’re a relatively fit family, lots of salads, but eat like truckers on holidays. You’re making me miss the days when whipped cream went with something other than pumpkin pie.
My parents are bringing 2L of whiskey with them from CA to be used over the long holiday weekend. I like it better than beer or wine, though we will have those, too. At least $10 of our budget will be spent on cherries and orange slices for drinks.
Thanksgiving is when I go cheap on wine. The winery down the hill makes great $7 Rieslings (Costco), and they go well with turkey.
Buzzfeed has the answer. How to cook dinner for 8 for under a $100. (grocery list included)
http://www.buzzfeed.com/alisonroman/how-to-host-thanksgiving-for-the-first-time#.pbgRowKKOj
@abasket - I can honestly say that the Heinz gravy in the jar is quite tasty.
If I buy my turkey a week early and don’t include liquor I can do it for $100. Where I get in money trouble is centerpieces and new tablecloth/placemats, etc.
“Where I get in money trouble is centerpieces and new tablecloth/placemats, etc.”
I gave up on tablecloths long ago. Every year I would buy a fancy one, and every year it will be ruined because someone will spill their food or drink on it. So my solution is a granite top table and easily washable placemats and napkins. 
I have a vase in the shape of a turkey that has a foam cube inside the body - it came with a floral arrangement someone gave us, and I refill it with flowers and use as a centerpiece. It kind of looks like this:
https://www.■■■■■■■■/listing/249695809/fall-floral-turkey-basket-fall-table?ref=market
So my budget includes a bouquet of flowers to fill the turkey.
@abasket, Williams Sonoma’s turkey gravy is very good…and also Hain’s packet as well…
Costco gravy in the plastic tub is decent–2 tubs for $7 or 8, I believe. We got several free turkeys from the local market for every $250 we purchased there over the months/years. I also bought a Butterball turkey @ $.99/pound because it’s H’s favorite brand & he’s smoking it. I’m bringing turkey for one celebration and mochi rice for another (both the same day–Thanksgiving). We may also spend time with friends on Friday, eating leftovers.
Man, I don’t think I could “stomach” two meals on Thanksgiving!!! My favorite thing is to have a light breakfast, enjoy the mid day big meal and then later at night (we all tend to stay up late watching a movie or something) to search through the containers in the refrig and have a dab of this and a dab of that - stuff I didn’t get enough of earlier in the day!