Stephen Rapier Reflects on Gratitude and Giving in WalletHub’s Thanksgiving Feature

As families across the nation prepare to gather in gratitude, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School faculty member Stephen Rapier joined WalletHub’s expert panel for its 2025 feature, Best Places to Go for Thanksgiving. The annual report ranks the 100 largest U.S. cities based on 18 key metrics, from the cost of Thanksgiving dinner to volunteer opportunities, helping Americans discover the most festive and affordable destinations for the holiday season.

Rapier offered thoughtful insights on how consumers can celebrate meaningfully while keeping spending in check, emphasizing that the essence of Thanksgiving lies not in extravagance but in connection.

"Thanksgiving historically has been a time to give thanks while enjoying the harvest," Rapier shared. "It was not a time to focus on some lavish culinary experience that met perceived social standards. Rather, it was a time set aside to create cherished memories with those important to us."

He noted that commercial pressures can sometimes shift the focus of the holiday. "The reality is that no matter what the food or service quality, and the corresponding cost, the cherished memories are of the conversations, laughter, and delight we share with family and friends," Rapier explained. "Gratitude and presence, not price, are what make the holiday meaningful."

WalletHub's 2025 rankings placed San Antonio, Atlanta, Virginia Beach, Dallas, and Scottsdale as the top five Thanksgiving destinations.

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