Thanksgiving Day Planning

The Travel, Turkey and Television Have to be Prioritized Early

Aug 23, 2008 Carroll Trosclair

Here are a few suggestions for avoiding some of the tension that often accompanies Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving Day has become such a busy day for American families that it’s a good idea to start planning it early, especially if they intend to travel. The early planning is even more important if they plan to fly during the busiest airline period of the year.

With airlines cutting back on flights and gasoline prices discouraging driving, Thanksgiving holiday travel will probably again be at hectic and perhaps record levels. The tensions will start with long lines at airports, stringent security checks and flight delays. If lucky, the late November weather will not add any additional headaches.

Even buying tickets as early as August, Internet economy class prices in 2008 for a Chicago--San Francisco round trip ranged from $398 to $612, plus taxes and fees. Taxes and fees add $65 to $95 to the ticket price. Business class rates varied from $1,407 to $2,589, plus taxes and fees.

CNN Says Ticket Prices Will Increase

In August, CNN quoted several airline experts saying ticket prices will increase substantially after Labor Day. Some airlines will increase revenue by simply eliminating the lower priced tickets, CNN said.

Only travelers scheduling early are likely to get the reservations they want and even fewer, if any, are apt to get the prices they want. Passengers will also face baggage limits and fees never before encountered at Thanksgiving, putting a premium on careful packing.

The U.S. Government blog by "Marybeth" suggests booking early morning, nonstop holiday flights. She said morning flights "tend to leave on time" and nonstop flights decrease chances of losing luggage. With airlines cutting back on even peanuts, it’s also a good idea to bring along some food for the flight.

Moms and grandmothers planning major family meals will probably run into food prices they have never before experienced at Thanksgiving. U.S. "retail food prices have jumped an average 6 percent this year, triple the normal inflation rate of around 2 percent, " Stevenson Jacob of the Associated Press reported in August. "Food inflation is here to stay - and will probably get worse for some things," he added.

The higher prices may suggest earlier shopping for special deals and perhaps family sharing of the Thanksgiving dinner cost.

Prepared Thanksgiving Meals

Pre-prepared Thanksgiving meals are becoming fairly plentiful on the Internet, but require early ordering. Loebels.com says its fresh organic turkey will keep in a refrigerator for 7 to 10 days "in its original vacuum-sealed packaging."

Surprisingly, Thanksgiving Day offers relatively few church services. However, it does offer a full day of television specials, which usually has to be factored into the planning for serving dinner. The 82nd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade will start on NBC at 9 a.m. Eastern standard time and run the rest of the morning.

Professional football will then take over television for the afternoon and much of the evening. Here’s the schedule, all times being Eastern standard.

  • 12:30 p.m. -- Tennessee Titans vs Detroit Lions in Detroit, CBS
  • 4:45 p.m. – Seattle Seahawks vs Dallas Cowboys in Dallas, Fox
  • 8:15 p.m. – Arizona Cardinals vs Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, NFL Network.

Fair Grounds Race Track Opens

The New Orleans Fair Grounds race track normally opens its thoroughbred racing season on Thanksgiving Day, which is also available on television and/or online.

After a full day of eating, drinking and watching television, it may be difficult to stay away for the second half of that Cardinal-Eagle game. But don’t blame the turkey. Experts say although turkey does contain some sleep enhancing chemical, it is a small factor compared to the volume of food, drink and fatigue usually associated with Thanksgiving.

Many Americans may want to schedule an early bed time on Thanksgiving, especially if they are planning to get up early the next morning for the busiest shopping day of the year.

References:

  • Aaron Smith, CNN Money.com,August 16, 2008
  • Stevenson Jacob, The Associated Press, August 22, 2008

See also:

The copyright of the article Thanksgiving Day Planning in Entertaining is owned by Carroll Trosclair. Permission to republish Thanksgiving Day Planning in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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