How to do Christmas dinner on a budget

Christmas dinner is the best meal of the year- fact, but it can also be expensive. Whether you’re cooking for a few people or an entire family, there is many ways to be extra-savvy with your cash and bring down the excessive price of a typical Christmas dinner.

Skip the starters or keep them simple

Ask yourself this question: are the starters really that important, especially if you’re on a tight budget? Personally, I’d say no. If anything, they just fill you up before the main, and best course. Unless it’s absolutely cemented into your tradition, skip the starters this year and save yourself some extra cash. But if they’re a must, keep them simple and cheap.  

Homemade soups: Most homemade soups are simple to make and require very few ingredients. In fact, you’ll probably find most of the ingredients in your kitchen cupboards before you set foot in the supermarket. Your soup doesn’t need to be ‘fancy’, just keep it simple and I guarantee your guests will love it.  

To see some of BBC Good Food’s best soup recipes, follow the link

Shop around for your meat  

Arguably the most important item(s) on a classic Christmas dinner, meat can be extremely expensive, if you don’t look out for the best deals. If you like to stick to tradition with Turkey, browse some of the cheaper supermarkets such as Aldi. Just because it’s Christmas, doesn’t mean you need to purchase the most expensive, branded items you can find. Even the cheapest cut of meat can taste delicious if you cook it right. Similarly, if you want to make it even cheaper, swap the turkey for a chicken. They tend to carry a much smaller price tag and if you ask me, they’re much tastier!  

Make your own pigs in blankets  

Is it Christmas dinner without pigs in blankets? Of course, not- but these delicious parcels of meatiness can be costly if bought premade. Why? Because everyone wants them at Christmas, meaning supermarkets can charge unreasonable prices. Ditch the pre-made packets and make your own- it’s quick, easy and much cheaper. Simply pick up some chipolata sausages and a cheap packet of streaky bacon. Wrap bacon around the sausages and whack them in the oven for 20 minutes or so. Once they’ve cooled, dig in. It’s really that easy.  

Make the most of what you have in the cupboard  

If you have flour in the cupboard (who doesn’t?) try making your own Yorkshire puddings and cheese sauce instead of buying it pre-made. If cauliflower cheese is a staple addition to your festive feast, follow this simple recipe using popular ingredients, such as milk and butter.  Similarly, homemade Yorkshires are cheaper than shop-bought and are undoubtedly tastier. Even if you’ve never made them before, don’t worry. They’re not as difficult as they sound. See for yourself via this link. 

Avoid anything branded  

I’ve said it many times before and I’ll say it again- steer clear of branded foods if you’re keeping an eye on your budget because the chances are, you’ll find a cheaper alternative that’s just as good. So, when it comes to items such as gravy, sauces etc, pick up your supermarket-own brands and save a couple of quid. The same goes for veg.  

Make the dessert from scratch  

Don’t get me wrong, baking can be time-consuming and stressful, especially if you have kids running around. But rather than buying anything premade, take the opportunity to make your own dessert and save some money. Plus, it’s an opportunity to get the kids involved (if you have any). Whether it’s a simple chocolate cake, cookies or a fruity pavlova, making your dessert(s) from scratch is guaranteed to save you some money. If baking isn’t your thing, keep it simple. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/cheap-baking-recipes