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Top Tips For Saving Money On Christmas Lunch

Top Tips For Saving Money On Christmas Lunch

Tags: Tips and Tricks
Last updated by Kayley Harris on

As the big day begins to creep ever closer, Christmas dinner can be the one thing that stresses people more than anything else. 

You’ve survived the Christmas shopping, opened the presents and rather than sitting back and relaxing, you now have to put lunch or dinner on for a bunch of people.

Apart from the stress of actually cooking the food, it can be a very expensive exercise.

But there are shortcuts according to Jody Allen from stayathomemum.com.au who recently appeared on Channel Nine’s A Current Affair and prepared Christmas lunch for 6 people for less than $50.

Jody’s tip? Think about how much people will eat, not how much you should put on the table. In other words: don’t over-cater. See Jody’s story here.

Here are some other tips on how to do Christmas Dinner on a budget:

  • Alternatives to a whole turkey. Chicken is a cheaper meat than turkey and you can generally get a much more suitable portion. Unless you have over ten people to feed, chicken could be a much better budget option. Alternately just buy a turkey buff.
  • Watch portion size. There are always going to be leftovers from Christmas dinner, but by watching portion size it can help. For example, if everyone has approximately 1 piece of roast pumpkin, and you have 6 people going, then cook 10 pieces (allowing for a little extra because who doesn’t love roast pumpkin!) Your guests will be aware of how many pieces are on the table and how many guests there are. They should automatically only take one piece and if they don’t, don’t invite them next year!
  • Have a small starter. Don’t fill everyone up before hand with canapes because then you’ll be throwing out more dessert because no one will be able to fit it in! Instead, try a basic cheese plate with one dip, some grapes and a packet of crackers.
  • Don’t go overboard with options. Do you really need every type of vegetable going? Or have lots of different condiments and sauces on the table? Probably not. Simplify your Christmas dinner table; the more options there are, then the more expense incurred, plus probably more waste at the end.
  • Make your own gravy. Instead of buying ready made gravy in a pouch, buy gravy powder or add flour to the pan juices and make your own! It will be much more tasty and definitely cheaper.

Do you have tips to share with members? Let us know below

Originally posted on .

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Julia
Julia from VIC commented:

My favourite place to shop is Aldi - you can buy a lot of Christmas foodstuffs starting in November to spread the outlay. Age Epicure rated the Coles Christmas pudding as top for flavour - great value! I'd suggest sticking to one main meat, no one needs to have turkey pork AND ham! 

Heather
Heather from NSW commented:

Have a cold Christmas lunch, it's much easier and doesn't heat up the house or the hostess. A hot Christmas lunch is only for the northern hemisphere. 

Heather
Heather from NSW commented:

Have a cold Christmas lunch, it's much easier and doesn't heat up the house or the hostess. A hot Christmas lunch is only for the northern hemisphere. 

margaret
margaret from NSW commented:

For 6, I end with creme caramel, pavlova, and fruit platter with slices of watermelon decorated with fruit left over from pav. The creme caramel and pave base with cream takes 6 eggs, 300ml cream, milk, sugar and vanilla etc. and costs about $4.00 $5.00, depending on eggs chosen, just add the cost of fruit. You can add nuts in shell or a platter of shortbread and Christmas cake. This is easy for a single hostess as the only thing that needs to be done on the day is whipping the cream and adding fruit to pav. is affordable yet looks generous placed down centre of table....help yourself. 

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