A traditional holiday meal for four to six people will cost $104.85 on average.
Christmas is less than two weeks away and many people are already shopping for their holiday dinners, but with the rising cost of food, it will be more expensive this year to put that turkey dinner on the table.
According to Dalhousie University's Agri-Food analytics lab, the cost of hosting a meal is up once again.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter
"The increases are across the board, the bird itself along with sides," said Sylvain Charlebois, of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab.
A traditional holiday meal for four to six people will cost about $104.85 on average.
"I can afford the more expensive meals, but I feel bad for all kinds of people that can't afford those kinds of increases," said Rick Trifunov, an Ottawa resident who is hosting a holiday dinner this year.
The most costly item on the list is the traditional turkey.
"The average cost for a five kilo turkey is anywhere between $33 to $35, but I've actually seen prices as low as $29," said Charlebois.
Turkey is up 5 per cent this year, potatoes are up 6.6 per cent, and carrots are up 12.8 per cent.
"We have options beyond turkey," said Charlebois. "We have ham, chicken and those tend to be less expensive so people can actually consider those sources."
Many are also getting creative to save a few dollars.
"We are looking at ways that you can save money. That includes buying some of the No Name brands," said Mike Smith. "I find we are definitely are eating in around the holidays, not going out to restaurants, those types of things."
Experts say posting a potluck is also an affordable option. Many guests are often willing to pitch in to help during the holidays.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More Canadians are moving to the U.S. Here's one of the main reasons, according to an immigration expert
Recent data from the U.S. census revealed that more than 126,000 people moved from Canada to the U.S. in 2022. An expert said that one of the main reasons for this move is the cost of living.
Bus carrying Quebec tourists crashes in Cuba, leaving 1 dead and 26 injured
One person is dead and 26 were injured after a bus carrying Quebec tourists was involved in a collision in Cuba on Sunday.
Her gut was producing alcohol. Doctors didn't believe her
For two years doctors told her she was an alcoholic. Then they realized her gut was making alcohol from carbohydrates, a rare condition called auto-brewery syndrome.
'They need this protection': Trudeau gov't re-offers $1.5M for enhanced Pride security in Canada
For the second year, the federal government is offering up to $1.5M to Pride organizations across the country to fund enhanced security measures, amid a continued rise in anti-LGBTQ2S+ hate.
Here's how far B.C. drivers must keep from cyclists, pedestrians under new law
A new law protecting cyclists and pedestrians in British Columbia takes effect Monday, establishing minimum distances that drivers must keep from so-called vulnerable road users.
Prospective jurors in Hunter Biden's firearms case questioned on gun rights, addiction
A federal gun case against U.S. President Joe Biden’s son Hunter opened Monday with jury selection, following the collapse of a plea deal that would have avoided the spectacle of a trial so close the 2024 election.
AFN national chief blasts governments' inaction on fifth anniversary of MMIWG report
On the fifth anniversary of a national inquiry's report into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is blasting all levels of government for what she calls slow progress to stop the crisis.
B.C. school district apologizes for asking students 'Should Israel exist?'
The Burnaby School District superintendent has issued an apology and launched an investigation after a Grade 6/7 class was presented with a question regarding the existence of Israel.
Toyota apologizes for cheating on vehicle testing and halts production of three models
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda apologized Monday for massive cheating on certification tests for seven vehicle models as the automaker suspended production of three of them.