The holiday season has a way of pulling us back to the foods, rituals, and gatherings that make this time of year feel familiar. Yet for many families, this season arrives with a very real challenge. Grocery prices continue to climb, budgets feel tighter, and planning a holiday meal often requires more care than it did just a few years ago. Even so, a national survey shows that most people are choosing to keep their holiday menus exactly the same as they always have.
At first glance, this might seem surprising. Rising prices usually prompt changes in how we shop and eat. But the holidays are different. They operate on a level that goes far beyond what shows up on receipts. They remind us of the people we love, the places we come from, and the memories we return to each year.
This season, as households brace for higher grocery costs, something else is happening too. People are doubling down on the dishes that make them feel at home. Instead of letting financial stress dictate the menu, many families are protecting the flavors and rituals that bring them comfort.
And perhaps there is something deeply positive in that choice.
Tradition as a Source of Stability
The 2025 Holiday Foods Survey from DuraPlas found that while two-thirds of Americans expect to spend more on their holiday meals this year, nearly half say they will not change a single dish.
That level of commitment tells a bigger story. When life feels unpredictable, traditions can become grounding. Cooking the same stuffing, rolling out the same pie dough, or preparing a dish passed down through generations allows us to feel connected not only to the past, but to each other. In moments of stress, familiar foods can serve as a gentle reminder that some things are still within our control.
Tradition does not just preserve culture. It can support mental and emotional well-being by giving us something reliable to hold onto.
Taste and Connection Matter More Than Price
The survey also revealed that taste outranks every other factor when people plan their holiday meals. Flavor is the top priority, even over price, convenience, or sustainability. For a few weeks a year, families choose what brings joy instead of what costs the least.
In wellness conversations, we often talk about mindful eating. Holiday meals, when approached intentionally, naturally support that idea. They invite us to slow down, appreciate the flavors on our plates, and savor the moments around the table. This is not about indulgence. It is about presence.
Why Homemade Still Feels Meaningful
In an era when delivery apps and premade meals are part of everyday life, most families still prepare their holiday dishes from scratch. According to the survey, more than three quarters of respondents cook at least half of their dishes homemade.
Home cooking requires time and energy, but it also brings people together in ways that store-bought shortcuts cannot. When we cook for others, we show care with our hands. When we cook with others, we strengthen relationships through shared experience. Kneading dough, whisking gravy, chopping vegetables, or setting the table can feel like small acts, yet each one carries meaning.
Homemade meals remind us that love is something we create, not something we purchase.
How Communities Can Navigate Rising Costs Positively
Although many families are choosing to keep their traditional dishes, rising costs still present very real challenges. Here are a few practical, positive strategies that households across the country are using to balance budget limitations without sacrificing meaning:
- Planning Earlier
Shopping earlier in the season helps spread out costs and prevents last-minute stress. This practice has been on the rise in recent years and offers a gentle way to make the holiday feel more manageable.
- Combining Tradition With Creativity
Keeping the main dishes the same while exploring new, affordable sides can help families stay connected to tradition while still adapting to the moment.
- Sharing the Experience
More households are choosing to cook together, split ingredient purchases, or encourage potluck-style gatherings. This approach brings down costs and builds a stronger sense of community.
- Choosing Quality Selectively
While many consumers are now willing to pay a little more for premium ingredients, it does not have to be all or nothing. Adding one high-quality ingredient to a favorite recipe can elevate the entire dish and create a sense of celebration without overspending.
Finding Positivity in the Season Ahead
In times of financial stress, it can be easy to focus on what feels out of reach. Yet holiday traditions offer a chance to center ourselves in what we already have. Shared meals. Familiar recipes. People we care about. These moments remind us that connection is not measured in dollars. It is measured in presence, attention, and gratitude.
Even if budgets are limited this year, the spirit of the holidays remains incredibly resilient. Families continue to gather. They continue to cook. They continue to show up for each other in small but powerful ways.
