Yahoo Lifestyle 13 practical ways to save money on Christmas dinner as costs rise 6.5%
The festive season can be expensive. From the decorations to the presents and that's before you even get to the Christmas dinner. With energy bills rising and the cost of living crisis continuing to bite, many families will be looking to spend less this year, particularly as the cost of an average Christmas dinner for four is up 6.5% on last year.
Analysts Kantar say a festive feast for four will set families back £32.57 this year with all elements in the meal rising in price except sparkling wine, which remained level on last year with the most expensive item, turkey, up 8.5%.
No doubt this will come as a blow to those looking to save some cash this Christmas, however it’s still possible to have all your festive favourites without forking out a fortune thanks to some clever cost-cutting hacks.
Write a list
Planning ahead makes a huge difference. "Deciding what’s actually going on the table, writing it all down, and sticking to that list keeps things manageable," explains David Kindness, personal finance writer at Best Money. "The moment you start grabbing extras - an extra box of mince pies here, a fancy chutney there - the total sneaks up on you."
Substitute the turkey
Turkey prices fluctuate throughout December, with some supermarkets offering discounts to attract shoppers. However, prices tend to be higher at Christmas than during the rest of the year.
“Cut costs by buying turkey cuts instead of a whole bird. Choose turkey breasts, legs, and thighs, which cook more quickly and save money on energy," suggests Matthew Sheeran, money saving expert at Money Wellness.
“Alternatively, opt for a frozen turkey. They’re typically 20% cheaper than fresh, and you don’t need to worry about use-by dates, so you can buy ahead of time.”
For an even bigger saving you could consider switching out the turkey altogether and go for chicken. "A whole chicken costs around £4 in most supermarkets compared to £13 per kilo for a turkey," Sheeran adds.
Fill up on veg
For the past few years, supermarkets have tried to attract festive shoppers by slashing the price of their Christmas vegetables. "Carrots, parsnips, sprouts, and other essential vegetables were as little as 50p in some supermarkets last Christmas," advises Sheeran. "Root vegetables are also a nutritious way to bulk out your Christmas meal."
Sheeran says Sainsbury’s has announced it’ll cut the price of its Christmas vegetables to just 15p from Wednesday 18 December. "Aldi has also followed suit, announcing its ‘Super Six’ veg will be 15p until 24 December," he adds.
Sarah-Jane Outten, shopping expert at MyVoucherCodes advises checking out the misshapen veg section in your supermarket. "They might not look the same, but once peeled, chopped and cooked in the oven, no one will know the difference," she explains.
Leave things out
Not every dish has to be on the table. "It’s easy to get carried away with tradition, but skipping something like bread sauce or an extra pudding can cut costs without anyone noticing," Kindness explains.
Go for own-brand
Retailers spend a fortune making their Christmas goodies stand out. Bypass the extra expense this brings and go for own-band alternatives, which tend to be much cheaper.
"Also, try to be savvy when you shop at Christmas," Sheeran advises. "Retailers usually place more expensive items at eye level with better-value alternatives on the bottom shelf. Take some time to scan the shelves and see if you can make an instant saving."
Serve up a yellow sticker meal
Sheeran advises looking out for special offers and discounted yellow sticker items when shopping over the next few weeks. "Freeze anything close to its use-by date so it can be cooked over Christmas," he adds.
Share the cost
If you have guests or family over for dinner, ask them to bring a dish and share the cost. "Christmas is all about sharing, and most guests will be more than happy to contribute," Sheeran says.
Use up leftovers
UK households throw away around 4.5 million tonnes of food during Christmas. "Store leftovers in the fridge so they can be eaten over the days following Christmas," Sheeran suggests. "Make the most of what’s left by turning them into something different."
Utilise your freezer
Not everything has to be bought in the days before Christmas and kept in the fridge. "Opting for frozen vegetables or pigs in blankets is a great way to cut costs and means you can buy something when they are on offer," suggests Outten. "Festive cheeses, bread and meat can all be kept in the freezer although it’s always a good idea to check the instructions on the back for the defrosting instructions."
Cash in loyalty points
Save your supermarket loyalty points throughout the year to cash in at Christmas. "This will reduce your spending during the most expensive month of the year," Sheeran adds. “You can also use cashback sites like Quidco and TopCashback to earn extra on your festive shopping, which you could swap for supermarket vouchers to use on the Christmas dinner big shop.”
Check out food waste apps
Food waste apps help people or businesses share food they don’t want or need locally for free. "With 43% of Brits overbuying festive food in case they run out, you should be able to pick up a range of ingredients on apps such as Olio and Too Good to Go to help keep spending to a minimum," Sheeran says.
Cook smarter
Air fryers, for instance, use less electricity and are great for small dishes or even reheating leftovers. Outten says making Christmas dishes from scratch can also help to save money. "From stuffing to roast potatoes, gravy to Yorkshire puddings, no matter what your Christmas dinner looks like, putting your chef hat on is a fab (and fun) way to save a bit of cash," she adds.
If you're really struggling, seek help
Not everyone’s budget stretches to cover the cost of Christmas. "If you’re struggling, there is help available," Sheeran says. "Charities such as The Salvation Army, Crisis and Social Bite provide free meals at Christmas."
Some food banks also provide specialist support. "You’ll need a referral from a recognised organisation or professional, such as your GP, health visitor, housing association, the police, or Citizens Advice, to get help from most food banks," Sheeran adds.
Read more about saving money at Christmas:
Six ways to save energy while cooking Christmas dinner (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
I’m cooking Boxing Day dinner for 14 guests in five air fryers (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
The best and cheapest time to do your big Christmas food shop (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read)
