5 tips to cut the cost of Christmas dinner

5 tips to cut the cost of Christmas dinner

Christmas is expensive enough without getting carried away with an OTT Christmas dinner.... but there are lots of savings to be made to avoid overspending.
We've put together our favourite tips to make Christmas dinner for less without sacrificing the Christmas spirit.

1.   Say yes, yes, yes to invites and offers
If you are lucky enough to be invited to share Christmas dinner with friends or relatives say yes!  You will save loads of money just remember to take some lovely gifts as a thank you...... no need to spend a fortune. Home made goodies will go down well or offer to bring the Christmas pudding or the sprouts ready prepped.
If you have guests coming to you for Christmas dinner then ask them spread the cost by asking them to bring

2 Scrimp on the festive extras
When it comes to table dressings and crackers there are loads of cheap and cheerful options.  Expensive crackers still have rubbish gifts inside and the jokes don't get any better either!  Buy your crackers in the pound shop or make your own
 
3 Cut back on trimmings
Christmas dinner is just a roast with a few extra trimmings.  The more trimmings you add the more work there will be and the more the costs will mount up. Everyone loves a few pigs in blankets but don't feel like you need to go for all the trimmings.  If your family don't like bread sauce don't get it!  Do you really need 3 sorts of stuffing? 
Make a menu plan and shop with a list..... don't get suckered into buying 16 types of flavoured creams or 3 for 2 offers on things you don't need. 

4 Stuff the turkey not the kids!

Making Christmas dinner a special meal is lovely.... but don't go overboard and feed your guests til they burst!  Stuff people too full they'll collapse on the sofa and snooze through the Queens speech which can make Christmas afternoon a bit of a non starter.  
 
5 Love your leftovers
No matter how much you try to control the portions there are ALWAYS leftovers at Christmas.  Plan ahead with some leftover ideas ..... even if it is just a case of buying some floury baps for the obligatory tyrkey and stuffing sarnies on Boxing Day..... Yum!
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What are your top Christmas dinner saving ideas?  
What does your family cut back on?  How do you use up Christmas leftovers?
​Let us know