6 Worst Thanksgiving Purchases From Walmart This Season
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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For those who haven’t yet started shopping for their Thanksgiving feast, it’s not too late to snag sale prices at your favorite stores or wholesale clubs — and you can still save money if you know where to look.
But there are also some items to avoid, even at major retailers like Walmart.
If you are shopping at Walmart for your feast this year, GOBankingRates also explored seven of the best Thanksgiving deals at Walmart.
Produce
Most Walmart stores have a limited produce selection — though it depends on your location — and most of the offerings don’t look as fresh as you’ll find elsewhere.
If you’re shopping for a crowd, consider purchasing fresh veggies like lettuce, cucumbers, brussels sprouts or asparagus at Costco or BJ’s Wholesale Club. For smaller quantities, hit up Trader Joe’s or even Lidl to balance cost savings with quality.
Canned Goods
Many canned goods, including corn, cost less at a local grocery store than Walmart. For instance, Del Monte canned corn lists for $1.25 at Walmart (regularly $1.48). Long Island-based King Kullen grocery store, not typically considered the least expensive for everyday items, has the same can on sale for $1.09 through Instacart.
Your local grocery store may also have deals this week on Thanksgiving staples.
Butter
Butter is one of the many items hit hard by inflation this year. In October 2024, the cost per pound equaled $4.94, down slightly from $5.03 in September. That’s quite a jump from November 2021, when a pound of butter cost just $3.48, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
You’ll pay more than the national average for a pound of Land O’ Lakes salted butter at Walmart, where it costs $5.28. Even Walmart’s Great Value butter is $4.26, which is less than the national average but a lot for a store brand.
Thanksgiving Décor
Walmart has fun Thanksgiving décor, including plastic pumpkin vases, faux leaves and table centerpieces. But Dollar Tree has a wider variety, at lower prices, especially if you’re looking for DIY items to put together a breathtaking autumn display.
Disposable Seasonal Paper Plates
Avoid washing dishes after dinner by serving appetizers, dessert and even the main course on cute paper plates. Walmart has 12-inch paper plates for just under $3 for eight. But supplies are limited, with many of the best designs sold out online. Instead, try Dollar General for a wide variety of adorable, disposable holiday plates, ranging in price from $1 to $3 for eight.
Last-Minute Purchases
Just like last year, Walmart stores will be closed for Thanksgiving so associates can spend time with their friends and family. So if you forgot gravy, whipped cream for the pumpkin pie or even need to pick up some extra folding chairs for last-minute guests, you’ll need to shop elsewhere.
But don’t despair. Even if you need to hit up Big Lots, CVS, Meijer or Dollar General — just a handful of stores open on Thanksgiving in 2024 — you can still start Black Friday shopping at Walmart as early as 6 a.m. Nov. 29, 2024.
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