Christmas is a time for love, joy, family and — just as important — food.
But between lavish roasts and decadent desserts, the budget for your festival meal budget can blow out fast.
While food inflation has simmered down from its eye-watering peak of 9.6 per cent in December 2022, customers are still paying more for their weekly shop.
Add in sides, snacks and festive drinks and your Christmas meal can turn into a festive headache. But it doesn’t have to.
Here’s how to make the most out of your Christmas meal without breaking the bank.
The protein
The crowning glory of the Christmas table can often come with the most heartbreaking price tag.
But Choice editor Prue Engel says that if you shop smart, your festive show stopper doesn’t have to break the bank.
And you don’t even have to forgo those special touches.
“Fresh turkeys can also be really expensive, if people really have their heart set on a turkey dinner, you can pick up frozen turkeys for about $8 a kilo, much cheaper than fresh and a similar flavour,” Ms Engel told ABC News
Ms Engel says that a 3.5kg frozen turkey will set you back about $28 and feed six people (just remember to leave a couple days before Christmas to thaw!)
Looking for a more porky experience? Don’t write off your basic supermarket ham.
“There are a lot of great supermarket hams that are affordable,” Ms Engel said.
“The one that came on top of [Choice’s 2023] taste test was just $8 per kilo.”
And if all else fails, embrace the humble Christmas chook!
“It might not seem as special but it’s a crowd pleaser and a more affordable option,” Ms Engel said.
“You can get a free-range chicken from the supermarket for about $12 and that will feed three to four people. Dressed up with some sides, roasted with some olive oil and lemon, that’s great for Christmas lunch.”
The sides
A Christmas roast is nothing without its supporting players and according to Ms Engle there’s no side more robust and budget-friendly than the potato.
“You can’t go wrong with a pan of golden roasties. You can get a couple kilos of potatoes for like five or six dollars at the supermarket and that’s enough to feed quite a crowd,” she says.
If you’re after a more unique and affordable Christmas side, take a page our of our European friend’s cookbook and break out the cabbage.
“You can get a whole cabbage for $5 and it’ll go a really long way. You can slice it thinly with some apple and spring onion and that’s a beautiful, colourful salad that is affordable,” Ms Engel says.
“Or if you want a warm side, braising up or sautéing some red cabbage can be a really beautiful festive side.”
Don’t overlook the frozen vege aisle of your supermarket either, frozen veges not only cut down on price but also prep time.
“Frozen vegetables can be just as good as fresh,” Ms Engel says.
“Take brussel sprouts, fresh they are about $15 a kilo at the moment but frozen are like $3 for half a kilo.”
The dessert
If you tremble at the thought of forking out for a litre of cream for a Christmas trifle then worry no more!
Ms Engel says to take advantage of the summer fruits coming into season for a knock out fruit salad.
“Loads of berries, cherries, mangoes and stone fruit are coming into season now,” Ms Engel says.
Or if you’re after even more of a Christmas day sugar hit, throw your favourite in-season fruits into some colourful jelly.
“Jelly is super cheap and you can make up a big bowl of jelly, pack in some of those beautiful in-season berries in a trifle bowl,” Ms Engel says.
“And to make a custard to go with that you can use cheaper long life milk rather than fresh, it does have a slightly different flavour but it will taste exactly the same in a custard.”
The drinks
Cracking a cold one on Christmas day is about as Australian as it gets — but the cost of alcohol can tally up quick.
Ms Engel suggests taking advantage of the recent influx of non-alcoholic, and more competitively priced, beverages.
“We’ve seen a really big surge in popularity for non-alcoholic beers, cocktails and wines you can buy in the supermarket,” she says.
“So, the quality can be really good and they’re a more affordable option.”
But if going boozeless for Christmas is unthinkable, Ms Engel says a flavourful punch can be a cost-busting option.
“It’s great because it doesn’t matter if you’re pulling out the cheaper prosecco or wine when you’re putting it in a nice fruity punch with some dry ginger ale and pineapple juice,” she says.
Top tips for a festive (and affordable) Christmas meal
Of course, getting your Christmas meal in budget isn’t all about what you’re putting on the table. Here’s what Ms Engel says to keep in mind when planning:
- Plan ahead, and avoid panic buying or buying more than you need
- Look for the cheaper products for basics
- Shop around, not just supermarkets but local fresh food markets and independent retailers
- Don’t buy perishables too early (that tray of mangoes will likely be mush by Christmas if you grab them this weekend)
- Take advantage of Christmas being on a Monday this year by zoning in on Sunday specials on Christmas eve
- Don’t waste your leftovers! You can repurpose your leftover proteins into things like sandwiches, salads even pies to eat post-Christmas. If you’re having a pre-New Year’s Day get together, there won’t be much need to buy more food