I know it’s still summer, but it won’t be long until the festive season is here, and while it’s the most wonderful time of the year, it can also be the priciest. Everyone loves a delicious Christmas dinner in the UK, but let’s face it: with food prices climbing faster than Santa up a chimney, keeping costs down has never been more important.
If you’re dreaming of a great way to save money on Christmas dinner in the UK, then read on.
So let’s talk about how we can save money on our festive food shop with methods such as grabbing those yellow sticker deals at major supermarkets or choosing cheaper alternatives for your Christmas meal.
- Tips To Save Money On Christmas Dinner
- Save throughout the year
- Make the most of leftovers
- Freeze what you can
- Choose a cheaper supermarket
- Share the cost with family and friends
- Cook from scratch
- Choose cheaper cuts of meat
- Make a shopping list
- Don’t shop hungry
- Compare prices
- Use discounts and vouchers
- Beware of quick ‘pick up’ shops
- Make use of loyalty schemes
- Get cashback on your shopping
- Don’t overspend on alcoholic drinks
- Reduce energy costs
Tips To Save Money On Christmas Dinner
Planning ahead is key to saving money. Leaving it last minute and you won’t have any time to plan!
Save throughout the year
Start saving early to distribute the expense of your Christmas dinner over a few months. Putting £10 a month away means that by December, you have £120 to spend on your Christmas food shop, which should be more than enough for Christmas dinner and some drinks.
Hunt for discounts and special deals before the holiday season, and take full advantage of the space in your freezer. Then you to bypass the rush and inflated prices as Christmas nears. Buying larger quantities when they’re discounted can offer you more value compared to selecting smaller portions.
I personally like to save our Tesco Clubcard vouchers and put them toward our December shop.
Make the most of leftovers
Leftovers can morph into the highlights of your meals following Christmas day.
- Transform remaining turkey into sandwiches for the Day after Christmas meal. Incorporate cranberry sauce and stuffing for an exceptional delight.
- Make soup with remaining vegetables. Toss them into a pot with stock for a straightforward, soothing meal.
- Give a new purpose to roast potatoes by morphing them into crispy hash browns for breakfast.
- Remaining meat is excellent in casseroles – incorporate some gravy and veg, then slow cook until soft.
- Keep your bread sauce to add flavour to a chicken sandwich later in the week.
- Yorkshire puddings become dessert with a sprinkle of sugar and a spot of jam or syrup.
- Keep spare slices of Christmas pudding in the freezer to savour at a future time, potentially even next year!
- Store extra mince pies in the freezer – they’re ideal for brightening up a bleak January afternoon.
- Create turkey curry from remaining meat to introduce some spice to cold December evenings.
- Remaining puff pastry? Cook mini quiches or tarts filled with whatever cheese or veg you have left.
- Use any extra puff pastry to shape turnovers filled with apple slices dipped in previous year’s frozen cranberries for a straightforward dessert choice.
Freeze what you can
- Buy frozen turkeys instead of fresh ones at discounted prices, estimating 500g per person to avoid overspending on food.
- Revamp leftover turkey into sandwiches or a filling stew for Boxing Day, then store in individual portions.
- Prepare roast dinner veggies in advance, briefly blanching them prior to reserving. On Christmas Day, simply place them in the oven with a hint of olive oil and seasoning.
- Cook extra batches of biscuits or mince pies and preserve them on a baking tray before moving them to sealed containers. They’ll have the same fresh flavour when thawed.
- Keep slices of Christmas pudding or cake securely wrapped in cling film. They make ideal desserts or snacks well into the New Year, maintaining their festive appeal.
- Use high street bargains like budget-friendly vegetable deals by preparing and preserving side dishes early on. This reduces preparation time on the big day and controls the costs.
- Preserve uncooked stuffing mix in freezer bags for easy quantity adjustment depending on the number of family members arriving hungry for a classic Christmas dinner feast.
- Buy discounted alcoholic drinks during the year and save them for Christmas.
- Freeze cream or milk reaching its expiration date in an ice cube tray for later use in cooking or coffee.
- Use an air fryer for smaller, last-minute items that need reheating from frozen; it consumes less energy than operating the oven, helping to control post-Christmas bills.
Choose a cheaper supermarket
Switching to a less expensive grocery store like Aldi can cut your spending this festive season. It’s all about scouting for the best deals without compromising on the quality of your traditional Christmas dinner. Don’t stick to one place out of habit.
Use online tools such as MySupermarket and Idealo.co.uk to compare prices across various shops. This way, you’ll know where the turkey sandwiches cost less and which place has cheap veg without running from one shop to another. Saving pennies here and there adds up, making a big difference in your overall Christmas spending.
Share the cost with family and friends
Splitting the bill for Christmas dinner can lift a hefty weight off your shoulders. By planning with your relatives or mates early, you all decide who brings what. You can sort the meat and gravy, while other people bring veg, potatoes, desserts and drinks.
Cook from scratch
Forget the pre-made meals, instead, reach out for your pots and pans. The savings can be quite remarkable. Cooking at home can save lots of money during the festive period, plus it’s better quality than ready meals or ready-made items.
Choose cheaper cuts of meat
Opting for more affordable cuts of meat like brisket, skirt, or shin can majorly slash your Christmas dinner costs. These types of beef offer fantastic flavour and tenderness when cooked properly—think slow cooking or braising to get the best out of them.
Similarly, lamb shoulder and breast are top picks for a flavoursome feast that won’t break the bank. And don’t overlook pork cheeks and belly; these cheaper options cook down into delicious dishes that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Slow cookers are a game-changer here, turning budget-friendly meats into mouth-watering meals with minimal fuss. So grab some ribs or a whole chicken on your next shop at the cheapest supermarket you can find.
Make a shopping list
Before heading to the store, make sure to jot down a shopping list. This will help you stay focused and avoid any unnecessary or impulse purchases. This way, you only buy what’s necessary for your Christmas dinner.
Also, having a list handy will also prevent any duplicate purchases so that you don’t overspend. Don’t forget to include any vouchers or discounts that you plan to use on your shopping list!
By making a detailed shopping list based on the required items and including potential discounts or offers from loyalty schemes.
Don’t shop hungry
Shopping on an empty stomach can lead to impulse buying and overspending – it’s a recipe for budget disaster. When you hit the supermarket with a growling tummy, you’re more likely to grab unnecessary items just because they look tempting at the moment.
To avoid falling into this trap, have a snack or meal before heading out to shop for your Christmas dinner ingredients.
Compare prices
Comparing prices across different supermarkets can lead to lots of savings Here are some strategies for comparing prices to save money on your Christmas dinner:
- Check online for the best deals from different supermarkets.
- Compare the cost of individual items and multi-buy offers.
- Look for discounts and promotions specifically designed for holiday meals.
- Take advantage of price matching policies if available.
- Consider purchasing non-perishable items in advance when they are on promotion.
Use discounts and vouchers
Looking for ways to save money on your Christmas dinner? Using discounts and vouchers can help you make the most of your budget. Here are some tips for leveraging discounts and vouchers for a budget-friendly Christmas dinner:
- Take advantage of loyalty programmes offered by supermarkets like Tesco, ASDA rewards, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons to access discounts and special offers.
- Keep an eye out for sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday where you may find reduced prices on key ingredients.
- Utilise discount codes from local shops or big supermarkets to get the best price on items like turkey crown or festive centrepieces.
- Consider using gift cards earned through cashback schemes such as JamDoughnut for added savings when purchasing groceries.
Beware of quick ‘pick up’ shops
Before heading to a quick ‘pick up’ shop for last-minute groceries, consider this: these places are structured to tempt you into spending more than planned. Keep an eye on your budget by avoiding these shops if possible and sticking to your carefully crafted shopping list.
The subtle strategies of quick ‘pick up’ shops can lead you towards overspending without even realising it.
Make use of loyalty schemes
Utilise loyalty schemes provided by supermarkets to save money on your Christmas dinner. Enrol for reward cards and accumulate points with every purchase, as these can be swapped for vouchers or discounts on subsequent food shopping.
Many grocery stores also provide exclusive deals and promotions to members of their loyalty programs.
Get cashback on your shopping
Earn cashback on your Christmas grocery shopping by using cashback sites like Jam Doughnut, Quidco and TopCashback, which can help save money on overall spend.
Don’t overspend on alcoholic drinks
When considering saving money on Christmas dinner, it’s important not to disregard the cost of alcoholic drinks. Go for more cost-effective options from cheaper supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl. For example, Bailey’s is a classic Christmas tipple – but the supermarket’s own version can be more than half the price!
So consider shifting from big brands to find a better value, helping you to reduce your overall spending without compromising on quality or taste.
Reduce energy costs
To reduce energy costs during the festive season, consider lowering the boiler flow temperature to improve efficiency, especially for combi boilers. Investing in a draught excluder can save approximately £65 off annual energy bills while only costing around £25.
Additionally, when cooking Christmas dinner, opt for using an air fryer instead of an oven to save money on electricity.
Hope these tips help you make some great savings this Christmas!
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