How to cut down the costs of Christmas dinner

The festive season can be especially stressful when you’re already dealing with debt. But, with a little creativity and planning, you can still enjoy a wonderful Christmas without overspending.

In our third blog, we’ve come up with some ways to save on Christmas dinner and other activities while keeping your budget in check.

Christmas dinner

The first idea is to host a potluck-style dinner, where, instead of just one person being in charge of all the food shopping, each guest brings a dish for everyone to share.

This way, you not only save precious time, meaning you can spend Christmas with your loved ones instead of in the kitchen, but you’ll also be saving money on both food costs and utility bills.

Choose a more affordable showstopper

Instead of buying a turkey, why not buy a cheaper meat that everyone might prefer anyway, or even go for a vegetarian alternative as the centrepiece?

Smart serving

We all love the sight of a fully-loaded Christmas dinner table, but it can be tempting to overdo it, often leading to leftovers that go uneaten. Instead, consider making moderate portions based on what you know people will enjoy. This way, you can serve a delicious, satisfying spread without the excess – keeping the focus on quality and reducing food waste.

Save energy and money this Christmas

You can also consider alternative cooking methods. For example, if you have an air fryer, why not use that this Christmas instead of the oven? It will save you money on your energy bills.

According to Which?, a roast chicken costs 28p to cook in an oven but only 13p in an air fryer.

Save money with smart shopping and budget-friendly recipes

There are also many guides on budgeting for a Christmas dinner -check out BBC Good Food for recipes that are just as scrumptious as they are money-saving.

Some other ways to save money on your Christmas dinner are to:

• Look for store-owned brands
• Use coupons
• Compare prices – you can do this in-store or even on websites like Which? and more
• Be on the hunt for special offers and discounted items which you can freeze

Festive activities to do with your family and friends

Admire the Christmas lights in your local area, enjoy a Christmas carol service, or visit your local Christmas markets.

Depending on where you’re based, there should be various budget-friendly and free activities. For example, in London, there are beautiful Christmas installations in Covent Garden, Southbank, and more.

Check out what’s happening at your local children’s centre here or follow local social media groups to see if there’s anything exciting happening near you. 

You can check your local council’s website to find out more.

With thoughtful choices, you can embrace the magic of Christmas without the financial stress. After all, it’s the love and memories – not the price tag – that truly make this season special.

Contact us

We understand the added financial pressures this season can bring. If you’re struggling with debts, call us on 0800 316 1833. We’re open from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am – 3pm on Saturdays. Alternatively, you can visit our advice page to speak to us via live chat or for more information.

If you’re looking for ways to make the most of your money, BudgetSmart has hundreds of easy actions you can take to improve your monthly budget.