Pass the gravy, not the dish towel. 65% have dodged Thanksgiving prep or cleanup.

From avoiding chores to hiding leftovers, Americans have plenty to confess about Thanksgiving.

There’s the Thanksgiving we picture: a beautiful meal, grateful guests, everyone pitching in.

Then there’s someone quietly disappearing when the roasting pan needs scrubbing.

In our recent OnePulse survey of nearly 500 Americans, 65% admitted using at least one tactic to avoid Thanksgiving prep or cleanup. The Thanksgiving meal might bring everyone together, but the cleanup is another story.

That’s just one of the things Americans had to confess about Thanksgiving. We asked about a few others, too.

Across our Thanksgiving 2026 surveys, we explored what really happens behind the holiday traditions. The story involves polite compliments, hiding the best leftovers, and a very particular definition of “bringing something.”

Who’s helping with the dishes? Anyone?

Everyone should help clean up. At least, that’s what people say.

In our Thanksgiving Confessions survey, 48% said everyone should be responsible for cleaning up after dinner. A lovely sentiment. Very much in the spirit of Thanksgiving.

However, in our separate survey about getting out of Thanksgiving duties, 22% admitted avoiding the kitchen, while 20% had offered to do an easier job instead.

Not necessarily the same people, but Thanksgiving teamwork seems to look a little different in practice.

What else are Americans confessing about Thanksgiving?

The Thanksgiving confessions don’t stop at chores. When we asked Americans about their other holiday habits, they had a few more things to admit.

37% said they’ve pretended to enjoy someone’s cooking, while another 21% have hidden food or leftovers to keep someone else from getting their hands on them.

Another 20% admitted pretending they’d put more effort into cooking than they actually had, while 17% have passed off store-bought food as homemade.

Some Americans have even gone a step further to avoid Thanksgiving altogether. In fact, 40% admitted they’ve lied about why they couldn’t attend a Thanksgiving celebration.

Thanksgiving might be about gratitude and togetherness, but a few little white lies seem to make their way into the celebrations, too.

Is Thanksgiving getting smaller, or just more carefully shopped?

Thanksgiving might be getting pricier, but Americans aren’t necessarily planning to cut back.

Among respondents likely to celebrate Thanksgiving, 40% expect their household to spend more than in 2025, excluding travel. Just 15% expect to spend less, while 41% anticipate roughly the same spending.

But that doesn’t mean shoppers are ignoring the price tag.

Using coupons or discounts was the most commonly selected food-and-drink saving tactic, at 33%. Buying fewer side dishes came in at 19%, and buying fewer desserts at 15%… it looks like finding a bargain comes before sacrificing the pumpkin pie.

Does a bigger paycheck mean less Thanksgiving stress?

You might expect Thanksgiving spending to feel easier with a bigger paycheck. But our findings tell a different story.

Among Americans earning $200,000 or more, 37% said they feel a lot or extreme stress about Thanksgiving finances, compared to just 13% of those earning under $25,000.

And income isn’t the only interesting difference. When it comes to covering the costs, 44% of men plan to borrow or defer payments for Thanksgiving, compared to 30% of women.

 

Should Thanksgiving guests bring food or money?

Sharing the load sounds simple. Until someone asks whether that means a casserole or cash.

In our survey exploring Thanksgiving finances, the largest group, 33%, was comfortable with hosts requesting food but not money. Another 23% accepted requests for either, while 19% were uncomfortable with both.

Showing up with a dish? Absolutely. Turning Thanksgiving dinner into a group bill? Not everyone is on board.

What does this mean for brands?

Thanksgiving traditions aren’t going anywhere, but our findings suggest Americans are looking for ways to make the holiday a little easier.

They still want the big meal, but they’re keeping an eye on costs. They’re happy to share the load, although bringing food seems more welcome than being asked for money. And even higher earners aren’t immune to holiday financial stress.

For brands, there’s an opportunity to focus less on the picture-perfect Thanksgiving and more on what people actually need.

Think easier meal prep, simpler cleanup, affordable favorites and convenient dishes guests can bring along. Discounts and rewards can also help shoppers make the most of their holiday budgets without giving up the things they love.

Thanksgiving 2026 FAQs

How much are Americans planning to spend on Thanksgiving 2026?

In our OnePulse survey, 40% of Americans likely to celebrate Thanksgiving expect to spend more than they did in 2025, excluding travel. Another 41% plan to spend roughly the same, while 15% expect to spend less.

How are Americans saving money on Thanksgiving dinner?

Coupons and discounts are the most popular way to save, chosen by 33% of respondents. Another 19% plan to buy fewer side dishes, while 15% would cut back on desserts. It looks like Americans are hunting for deals before giving up their Thanksgiving favorites.

Do Americans avoid Thanksgiving cooking and cleanup?

More than you might think. In our survey, 65% admitted using at least one tactic to avoid Thanksgiving prep or cleanup. Among the tactics reported, 22% had avoided the kitchen, while 20% had volunteered for an easier task instead.

Is it acceptable to ask Thanksgiving guests to contribute to dinner?

It depends on what you’re asking for. In our survey, 33% were comfortable with hosts requesting food but not money. Another 23% were fine with either, while 19% weren’t comfortable with either request. Bringing a dish seems to be more welcome than splitting the bill.

 

Research note: Four separate U.S. OnePulse surveys conducted in October 2026: Thanksgiving Confessions (475 respondents), Avoiding the Work (499), Thanksgiving Spending (491), and Feast or Finances? (495). Samples are not pooled; past-behavior questions are distinct from plans for 2026.

 

For journalists

This data is free to use with credit. Please credit OnePulse and link to this page. Full data is available on request. Please contact candyd.casidsid@onepulse.com

About OnePulse

OnePulse is a real-time consumer insights platform serving the UK and US. Over 500 brands and agencies use OnePulse to run surveys, called Pulses, and get fast answers from real consumers.