We order Thanksgiving dinner from chains instead of cooking. It costs the same as our groceries and comes with so many perks.

I've enjoyed cooking Thanksgiving dinner , but in recent years, I started ordering the meal instead. Grabbing a heat-and-serve dinner from chains like Cracker Barrel and Costco has saved me time. We still eat Thanksgiving staples and the price is the same or less than our groceries would be.

Since I got married and later became a mom, I've loved cooking Thanksgiving dinner for my family. My husband and I both enjoy cooking, so in previous years, we'd start preparing days in advance and wake up early on Thanksgiving morning to get to work making dishes like mac and cheese, roasted turkey, and green-bean casserole . In recent years, however, I've simplified the process and started ordering Thanksgiving dinner to-go from chain restaurants like Cracker Barrel or warehouse stores like Costco.



The cost is about the same as (or less than) our Thanksgiving groceries. Plus, by reheating premade dishes, we can enjoy time with family without hours of cooking and a massive kitchen clean-up..