21 Ways to Save Money on Christmas Food and Drink

This year more than ever people are looking to save money on Christmas food and drink, we have you covered with our top money-saving tips and where you can save money on holiday meals without blowing the Christmas budget this year.

Save Money on Christmas Food and Drink

There is no denying that the traditional Christmas day dinner and festive foods can be expensive and that cost has risen since last year due to the current cost of living crisis we are in. Many people invite their extended families or friends over to enjoy the festivities, and often the Christmas meal includes a starter, a main course, and a dessert. Not to mention the get-togethers that you have over the Christmas period. While it can be a little eye-watering with the costs rising on food and drink purchases, there are still some great ways to save money on Christmas food and drink. I wanted to share with you some top tips to help ease the pressure this Christmas. 

General tips for the festive season

Firstly remember it is just one meal and you don’t need to go over the top. The last few years have taught us that it is more important to be with those we love at Christmas than what is on the table.

Secondly, meal planning and writing a shopping list of exactly what you need is one of the best ways to save money. It should help you stick to buying the essentials where possible, and reduce waste too.

Your Christmas groceries aren’t the only expense you’ll have during this holiday period. Before you open your wallet, consider making a budget for all these expenses. You should allocate money to different things from Christmas gifts to food. A budget will make it easier to see how much you can spend on various items. Also prioritise what part of the meal matters to you. Do you want a starter or is having a dessert more your thing? Plan your Christmas menu your way regardless of what anyone else thinks.

Next ditch the loyalty! Shop about for the best deals and this may mean that you get different things in different supermarkets depending on the special offers that they have. The typically budget supermarkets have really upped their game over the past few years and the Aldi Christmas range is fabulous especially their desserts!

Mince pies, pigs in blankets and mulled wine are just a few of the other popular festive treats that you can make at home, some of which you can make in advance to minimise effort on the day.

Own-brand foods are usually much cheaper, and many taste tests have found plenty that is actually rated better in blind taste tests than their premium alternatives. So don’t be a brand snob when it comes to Christmas food shopping, after all no one is going to see the packaging once plated up anyway!

Check the reduced items in the run-up to Christmas, as there may be decent reductions on festive-themed food and drink, so you may be able to bag some bargains. I love a yellow sticker and with up to 75% off you can bag a real steal that helps reduce your Christmas spending on the cost of food. I suggest checking the supermarkets for reductions at about 7pm and from 3pm on Sundays.

If you are eating on your own or as a couple there are meal deals that have been created by the big supermarkets that feed one or two people. This can save you money as the portions are made for smaller parties rather than buying a whole joint of meat or side dishes that are too large. The deals often include a bottle of wine and dessert too which makes it a good deal. Tesco’s Finest Christmas Dinner for two costs £17.50 per person and includes turkey and trimmings, a bottle of Champagne, a Christmas pudding and Christmas crackers which could be a good way of managing the cost of your Christmas dinner.

There are a number of apps that can also help your bank balance and prepare for the big day. I use Shopimum to collect free food or food that is on offer. This amazing app shares how to get cashback on food offers. I have saved over £70 this year alone and anything that I don’t want I pop into the food bank donations when I have finished shopping.

Saving up loyalty points can be a great way to cover the extra supermarket spending we do each December. Although it may be too late to save much now – it makes sense to start saving for next year. I personally use Tesco Clubcard but other options include Sainsbury’s and Nectar and Asda and their new rewards program. I get my household family members to also collect the points when they fill up their cars or shop in the supermarket.

Let’s look specifically at your Christmas day menu plan

Think differently when it comes to vegetables 

When it comes to vegetables many of us will have our fail-safe options we have year after year, but right now it pays to think outside of the box, especially with vegetables. Here are a couple of things to consider when it comes to veg at Christmas time. 

Canned vegetables 

You might think that canned vegetables are not a good option for Christmas but not only are they good value you can jazz them up. For example, canned potatoes can easily be seasoned and placed in the oven to crisp up making excellent roast potatoes. You could also season carrots and other vegetables before serving. 

Seasonal vegetables 

You might want to ditch the vegetables that aren’t in season. They can sometimes cost you more. Instead, choose seasonal vegetables where there will be plenty of it and also it will be at its best. 

Frozen vegetables 

If you want to keep the costs down frozen vegetables can be a great alternative to fresh. You only need to use what you need and it can be great value for money. Frozen can be healthier too – frozen veg are steam-blanched immediately after harvesting, and flash-frozen, to ensure they’re preserved at their peak taste and nutritional value.

Again shop about, many of the supermarkets have started doing offers on veg and you can prepare them and freeze them for a later date, just remember to get them out on Christmas eve so they have time to defrost!

Choose less expensive meat alternatives 

Traditionally people have a Turkey for their Christmas dinner but it can be a pricey piece of meat. Instead, why not look for cheaper alternatives? You could choose to buy just a turkey crown or leg if you don’t need so much meat. Another option is to choose a different meat entirely such as Chicken or a gammon. This can help to keep the costs down and it will still be a super tasty meal. 

Make the most of bulk buy purchases

There will always be bulk buy purchase offers and you will find that supermarkets ramp these up at Christmas. So in some cases, it can work out cheaper to buy in bulk. 

Alcohol 

Alcoholic drinks are often enjoyed during the festive period but buying the alcohol can be pricey if you are on a budget. However, buying in bulk, such as bottles of wine, can often give you a saving. This is because many supermarkets offer a percentage discount for buying a certain amount of bottles. Tesco, for example, will give you an extra 25% off 6 or more bottles of wine. If you know you are going to need it can be a great saving. 

Soft drinks 

It can also be value for money to buy bottles of pop or cans of drink in bulk. The boxes of 24 cans, for example, work out cheaper than buying the small boxes. Look out for offers during your shopping and when you see them take advantage. 

Ask people to bring a dish 

If you are hosting Christmas dinner and have extended your invite to others then why not share the load of the cooking and the costs? It can be a good idea to ask each person or family to bring side dishes. They are then responsible for the cost of the ingredients and the cooking. It is a great way to spread the cost and also have less pressure in the kitchen when you are catering for lots of people.

A Christmas potluck

If you are hosting a gathering during the Christmas period, you could enjoy a potluck. Everyone brings a dish, makes a cocktail, or provides drinks. You end up with an array of food and drink to enjoy and it can help to spread the cost. 

Ditch the alcohol 

Alcohol is a pricey element of Christmas so why not do things differently this year and ditch the alcohol? Enjoying soft drinks and water can help to keep the costs down. 

Boxing Day and beyond

Use up your leftovers

Finally, we all overindulge and buy a lot at Christmas time. But you need to ensure that you make the most of your leftover turkey. You can create lots of meals with leftover meats and vegetables, and also embrace the party food and enjoy it over a few days. You may have bought a lot initially, but you should be able to save doing into the new year as you enjoy the food you have cooked or left over. 

I hope these simple tips help you to save money on food and drink at Christmas time.