By Lew Kizer — 2026-10-17 — Prepared Food Trends
The short answer
Circana's 2026 holiday study, released October 8 from a survey of 3,534 consumers, found average expected spending of $779 (down from $796), with 74% planning money-saving moves and budgets shifting toward at-home celebrations, including prepared and catered food. A JLL report the same day found planned spending on food and holiday decor up 16% while gifts rose 3.1%.
Key facts
- Circana: expected average holiday spend $779, down from $796 in 2025.
- Circana: 74% plan money-saving behaviors; over one-third are canceling or delaying holiday travel.
- Circana: hosts are turning to prepared foods, catered options and retailer meal solutions.
- JLL: planned food and decor spending up 16%; dining out and entertainment up 17.3%; gifts up 3.1%.
- SmashMeals Thanksgiving orders are due Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026.
KINGSPORT, Tenn., Oct. 17, 2026 — Two holiday forecasts released October 8 tell the same story from different angles: Americans are watching every dollar, but they are not giving up the holiday table.
What Circana found
Circana surveyed 3,534 U.S. consumers for its 2026 Holiday Purchase Intentions Study. Expected average spending is $779, down from $796 last year, and 74% plan to save money with deals, store brands or cutbacks. More than a third are canceling or delaying travel because of cost. Budgets are being shifted toward celebrations at home, and the company reports hosts are turning to prepared foods, catered options and retailer meal solutions for convenience.
Head of global thought leadership Kiara Barrett summed it up: “Consumers are not abandoning holiday spending.”
What JLL found
JLL's holiday report, covered by WBIW, found average planned spending of $1,243 per person, up 9.7%, with planned spending on food and holiday decor up 16% and dining out and entertainment up 17.3%. Gifts rose just 3.1%. The two surveys use different methods, so their totals are not directly comparable, but both point toward the table.
Planning a smarter Thanksgiving
A hybrid plan works for many hosts: cook the dish your family expects from you and order the ones that take the most time. Our new guide to hybrid holiday hosting lays out a timeline and budget, and our page on hosting a celiac guest covers cross-contact.
The 2026 SmashMeals Thanksgiving menu lists smoked turkey platters, bourbon honey ham, pot roast, sides and pumpkin pie individually. Orders are due Sunday, November 22, 2026. Pickup in Kingsport is free, eligible local delivery is $15 and eligible shipping is $35; confirm availability and timing at checkout.
“From day one, our motto has been simple: if something goes wrong, we're going to make it right. No questions asked. Either new food or your money back.” — Lew Kizer, Founder, SmashMeals
Commentary, not medical advice
The SmashMeals perspective
Every year we hear from hosts who want the table full but do not want to spend three days cooking, and from families with a celiac guest who cannot risk a shared kitchen. Buying the hardest dishes and cooking the ones you love is a smart way to protect both the budget and the day.
Frequently asked questions
Are people spending more or less on the holidays in 2026?
The surveys differ. Circana expects average spending of $779, down slightly from $796. JLL found total planned spending up, with most of the increase going to food, decor and entertainment rather than gifts.
When is the SmashMeals Thanksgiving order deadline?
Sunday, November 22, 2026. See the full menu, portions and prices at smashmeals.com/thanksgiving.
Can I order just a few Thanksgiving dishes?
Yes. Mains, sides, starters, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie are sold individually, so you can cook some dishes and order the rest.
Sources and credits
Follow the original sources for context and verification. A reference is not an endorsement of SmashMeals.
- Circana's 2026 holiday study finds consumers spending selectively, not stepping away (opens in a new tab)
Circana
Why it matters: Primary source for spending, savings behavior and prepared-food trends.
- Consumers plan to spend more during the 2026 holiday season (opens in a new tab)
WBIW (reporting JLL)
Why it matters: Reports JLL's figures on food and gift spending.
- The price of tradition: 50% of Americans say rising grocery costs make holiday hosting stressful (opens in a new tab)
Omnisend via PR Newswire
Why it matters: Earlier survey on hosting stress and grocery costs.