NOW CLOSED Talk to Aldi about shopping for Christmas bargains and be in with a chance of winning a £100 voucher

[TheOtherHelenMumsnet]

Aldi are gearing up for Christmas with loads of bargains on their website - they'd love Mumsnetters to check out what's on offer then come back to this thread and give their feedback. Please visit the website here.

Are you an Aldi shopper already? If so, are you planning to do your full Xmas shop there, or will you pick up specific bits and pieces from there? What's the best bargain you've ever picked up from Aldi?

If you've never shopped at Aldi before, why? Is there anything on the website that has convinced you to give it a go?

Also, Aldi would love to hear your top tips on how to bag a Christmas bargain, or any other genius money-saving tips you have, so please do share here.

Everyone who posts their comments on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 voucher to spend in store.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
MNHQ

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

I occasionally shop at Aldi - and my Best bargain was a frozen three-bird roast for under £8 - it was a delicious change for Sunday lunch one weekend.

Looking at the website, I will be going to Aldi for some specific items - specially selected crackers, Florentines and maybe a goose, if there is one big enough for the people I have to feed at Christmas.

[professorpoopsnagle]

I shop at Aldi now but fairly irregularly as the nearest store is 8 miles away, if there was one in town I would try and make it my main shop. Because of this I tend to stick to dry goods rather than the fresh produce, but I always look for a bargain. We have liked

The face creams, especially the serum
The deli section for things like potato salad etc
Have picked up some great camping items, stand alone airer and SIMS.
Bread and morning goods.

My best Christmas bargain tips is to make a list of things you need and to keep this in mind from about December, so you can pick up a bargain when you see one. Also, try not to buy foodstuffs too early as you tend to eat them if they are there and then have to buy again.

I like the look of the panettone, crackers, cava and fresh meats. I will probably make a special trip to investigate these.

[Asinine]

I often shop at Aldi, the quality is great and I like the no frills ethos.

Looking at the website for Xmas I'll get stocking fillers (chocolates coins, santas etc), fresh meat (gammon, beef) and mince pies. And the Crabbie's

Best ever bargain is snow wear for the dcs, especially gloves, hats, welly socks.

[craftynclothy]

The only thing we've got from Aldi are the camping mats they had earlier in the year, which we were very pleased with. We don't go there for food. Tbh I find that you never know if you'll be able to get your full shop there and it's not saving much money if you have to drive to other supermarkets to finish it off. If I go to Aldi it would be because I'd seen something specific mentioned (like the camping mats were mentioned on the camping section here)

I would possibly go for a 4 bird roast as I've wanted one for a few years now (wince we started staying home for Xmas) but I can't justify the cost at the butchers/Waitrose compared to what we usually spend on a turkey. Having seen the one at Aldi I might be tempted to get one - slightly put of by it having stuffing in though (would prefer to buy stuffing separately so I can get something fancier)

Christmas Bargain tips - the bargains thread on here has been good for presents, using cashback sites has also been good and looking out for freebies (e.g. 3 for 2 offers) all help make the presents bargains. For food, don't go overboard. I tend to overestimate how much we'll need so it helps to make a list and then consider if we'll actually eat everything on it.

[derekthehamster]

I am a recent convert to aldi, and I love it!!!!!

I don't cater at christmas, but if I did I would buy most food from there. I would be slightly concerned though that they might have run out of food, so I would be tempted to buy my food on line (although that doesn't guarentee the food is in stock either)

I love the 'treat' items, things that I wouldn't normally buy because they are too expensive. I love the part baked rolls (4 for 39p ) and Sunday dinner always depends on what veggies are on offer.

I like online shopping for gifts, especially I look out for money off and free delivery vouchers.

[QueenofNightmares]

I love Aldi they sell the most random things at the most amazing prices I'll buy most of the Xmas treaty things there. In fact while we're discussing it I want to recommend their little chocolate coated marshmallow fluff things they're with the tea and coffee you get 24 for about £1.19 and they're only 34 calories each!

We're really broke for Xmas again and looking at the website we might be able to afford to have something a little nicer than a pork shoulder joint for dinner at those prices. The frozen turkey crown at 9.99 looks really lovely and would easily do a couple of dinners for the 3 of us so I hope I can actually get one.

My best tip to save money at Xmas is - Don't feel like you need to spend a fortune its really just another day of the year and think about what you're actually going to use if the food gets thrown away then its not a saving.

Spookily an advert for Aldi's specially selected stuff has just run on the tv while I was typing this.

[bubbles1231]

Recent convert here. Reckon we save at least £30 per week. I really like their crisps and nibbles which we will be stocking up with for Christmas. Their chocolate is really tasty and so reasonably priced- it's great for using in a chocolate torte which we have on Cristmas day instead of Christmas pud. I also love the range of cold meats and cheese for Boxing Day.
We live in Scotland and always look out for the beef olives stuffed with haggis.

[ShatnersBassoon]

I often shop at Aldi, it's my nearest supermarket.

I won't be doing all my Christmas food shopping there, but I will definitely get my Christmas pud there, and possibly some veg because it's such good value.

I am awful at saving money at Christmas, but my one thrifty thing is to buy cheap as chips Christmas crackers. They all contain a load of rubbish you don't want, even the most expensive ones, but it's one tradition I enjoy at the table so as long as they have a hat and a joke and don't cost more than a few pence each I'm happy.

[ICutMyFootOnOccamsRazor]

I shop at Aldi occasionally if I'm passing a store, but we don't have one where I live, sadly. I doubt I'll go out of my way to go there for Christmas.

I think for Christmas bargains it's essential to shop early and be organized. After the beginning of November it seems pretty tough to find good deals. It's essential to have a list of what has already been bought or over-buying seems inevitable.

[MegBusset]

I recently switched to Aldi for my main shop (instead of Tesco delivery) and reckon I save at least £20/week. However, I do always have to top up at another supermarket as I can't get everything I need there; DH and I are veggie so it would be great if they stocked things like veggie pies and sausages. They have just started stocking Quorn mince which is handy.

I will definitely get a few Christmas bits from there but will probably get a Tesco delivery for most of the food as a) we always have a Quorn roll on Xmas Day which they don't stock, and b) the thought of going in person to any supermarket the couple of days before Christmas brings me out in a cold sweat.

[TomsBentPinky]

I will split my shop between morrisons and aldi.

I use aldi alot but theres lots of branded items id want at christmas too.

[ilovedjasondonovan]

Oh, I love Aldi. Shop both in Aldi and Tescos as I can't get everything I need in Aldi. Particularly love the free range chicken and fruit/veg.

Best bargain I recently got was 200g of Glace Cherries for 69p.
Oh, and giant sparklers, 10 for £1.69 - was cheaper than Tescos.

I won't be doing my main Xmas shop there as I've already done most of it. Meat will come from butcher and I'll walk to my nearest supermarket to get the sprouts as Aldi has limited parking at the best of times, let alone in Xmas week.

[MegBusset]

Oh god don't get me started on the parking. The one thing that puts me off Aldi - our store uses one of those well dodgy private enforcement companies - they tried to fine me when I forgot to put my reg no. in the machine instore luckily I'd seen Watchdog and knew they are major scamsters so ignored them til they went away

[BluelightsAndSirens]

I will be buying crisps and nibbles as well as pickles.

I tend to buy tins and packets but not fresh and we don't have a store locally so I can only pop in when passing.

[starsandunicorns]

Began shopping with you when i was in the Army in Germany in the 90's. I still shop most weeks with you love your products. This xmas I will doing a hamper for my parents from your treats and jams etc in fact your mazpain covered with choclate bar has been a staple stocking pressie for my mum for years. Love your christmas puddings and biscuts your fresh meats and veg and fresh deli are a winner in my house and the weekly deals are brill and good quaitly. Full xmas shop will done with you. Best buy had so many i cant think

[Zombieminx]

I have recently taste-tested the Florentines and can report they are yummy

Their cakes/biscuit/choc are always lovely and will be stocking up from there!

Best Aldi bargains are usually the excellent "6 of the best" promo items. I only wish I'd discovered Aldi sooner - they make part-time money go much further!

I have to pop to sainsburys to get the items I can't get at Aldi and I'll do the same during Christmas week!

[BellaVida]

I don't currently shop at Aldi, as it's quite a way away from our house and I have 3 supermarkets closer to me. I am veggie but my family aren't and at Xmas I prefer to get a pre-prepared turkey, so the stuffed turkey crown would be good and seems reasonable. Disappointing not to see veggie alternatives for Xmas lunch! I would probably buy some of the treats to use as stocking fillers for the children or extra gifts for friends and neighbours and to have as family nibbles over the holidays. It would be nice to perhaps see some low priced gifts and gadgets, as I know other people who have bought handy non food items from Aldi. Maybe show more range, with good value ideas and decorations? That would definitely make it worth a trip!

[butisthismyname]

do you know what, I have never been to aldi It isn;t very local to us so we tend to use other shops. DH starts buying things around now (he is the shopper..) he got a turkey yesterday and managed to get it frr at tescos by using the clubcards. Thinds like sauces are bought reasonably early oo - nearly all of the frozen stuff infact. generally sainsburys or tescos to be honest

[Fluffycloudland77]

I do all my shopping at aldi apart from;

Stuffing, aldi stuffing falls apart when you roll it into balls.
Gravy powder.
Cat litter, asda smart price is cheaper.
Goose fat, cheaper on amazon.
Pitta breads, aldi ones taste a bit off sometimes. Not all the time though.

We will be getting all our christmas shop from aldi but it is the first year I can afford the frozen goose so you better be selling frozen geese this year.

The beans are the best bargain, DH hates heinz beans now, also the digestive biscuits are nicer than mcvities.

[HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey]

I will be buying the four bird roast, we have had it before and the marmalade glaze is lovely.

The chocolate bomb looks wonderful i we will be eating that over christmas, in both flavours!

We have recently been discovering how lovely some of the wine is from Aldi and we will be buying the prosecco too.

We will also be stocking up on cheeses and cold meats as usual.

[AitchTwoOhOneTwo]

i'm a loyal lidl girl, really, but do like Aldi. will deffo be visiting one of the two for christmas stuff, we always get panettone, stollen and chocolate christmas decs.

[starsandunicorns]

Oh you could start stocking German bitter choclate in the white and gold box ( choclate leaves) even just in the xmas period i would buy boxs and boxs of it have to buy it from amozman:(

[MegBusset]

Do they do Lebkuchen? i LOVE Lebkuchen!

[CheddarOnToast]

I shop at Aldi often - I like to pop in to see what special non-food things they will have each week, and I'll do a small food shop at the same time.

I like Aldi for organic butter and milk, and cheese and ham, and cheap fruit and vegetables, and recently I've been trying out a fair bit of their christmas stuff like stollen and lebkuchen (I live in Germany). My best Aldi bargain has been rain wear for the DC, great quality and very cheap and they wear it all the time.

We won't be hosting Christmas this year, we're staying with family in the UK (and having looked at that web page I am considering making a trip to Aldi to stock up on Christmassy treats as our family's contribution towards the Christmas catering.)

[gazzalw]

I find it really frustrating because everyone is always extolling the virtues of Aldi but we don't have one very close to us at all - I think Elephant and Castle area is nearest and as that's a good 1/2 hr Tube journey or an hour by bus - really not very feasible. So come on Aldi open more branches in SW London - we're not all rich as Midas you know!

So without an Aldi close by we default to Lidl - not for all of our shopping as we view it dangerously as more of a deli for interesting international cuisine rather than every day basics.....

Everyone says the evenings are the times to find the bargains in the supermarkets but we don't have a car and wouldn't really be happy to be shopping after dark at this time of the year...so that just about rules us out of extreme bargain hunting foodwise...although might be tempted to do it en route home from work as Christmas approaches....

I'm amazed about the baked beans - DW is a money saver par extraordinaire but there are certain things she just won't compromise on - Heinz Baked Beans being one of those things....