By the Numbers: 2009 Thanksgiving meal cheaper than last year's

$42.91

Average cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10, down about 4 percent from last year's average of $44.61, according to the American Farm Bureau, an agribusiness lobbying group. The same meal cost $28.74 in 1986, the first year the AFB started tracking the price of the holiday meal.

"Consistent with the retail food price declines seen throughout the year, consumers will pay just a bit less for their Thanksgiving feast this year," said Jim Sartwelle, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, in a press release. "Consumers are benefiting at the grocery store from significantly lower energy prices and the effects of the economic slowdown. Again this year, the cost per person for this special meal is less than a typical 'value meal' at a fast-food outlet."

The components for the meal, described by the AFB as a "classic Thanksgiving dinner," include a 16-pound turkey, peas; sweet potatoes; cubed bread stuffing; fresh cranberries; 1 gallon of milk; a dozen rolls; a relish tray (carrots and celery); pumpkin filling; pie shells and cream for pumpkin pie; and sundries like onions, eggs, sugar, flour, evaporated milk, butter, and coffee. The AFB's figures are based on information from 200 shoppers in 35 states. The AFB graph shown tracks the actual cost and inflation-adjusted cost of the meal since 1986.

Missing from the AFB's list are premeal snacks for the noshing and grazing you'll do throughout the day—there are three National Football League games on Thursday, after all—and beverages, including wine and beer (again, there's football to watch).

If you're behind on your Thanksgiving work, check out this recent post about planning for the holiday, and learn how to shave 34 percent off your Thanksgiving food costs with the expert advice from Tightwad Tod of our Money blog.

Here's wishing you a wonderful holiday, one that's filled with good food, good company, and good times. And for a bit of Thanksgiving-related diversion, check out these two short films made in 1951 from the Prelinger Archives on the Internet Archive. The first covers Thanksgiving dining etiquette for kids and the other involves a family that's experiencing some hard times and won't be able to have a turkey for the holiday. —Steven H. Saltzman | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: While I don't plan to hit the stores on Black Friday—that's a day to sleep in and then go on a hike with my family and our dog—if you're inclined to do some holiday shopping this November 27, stay on top of the deals and the news by visiting our Holiday Shopping Guide.