AIBU to think what's the big fuss over Christmas costs??

[Kindofnewtothis]

I know I might get slated for this ladies but was just genuinely wondering how people spend so much on Christmas food??? Just did a Sainsbury's shop, not the cheapest supermarket, and still managed to keep things under £30 for the whole family- most of it pre made! I honestly don't know how people can complain and spend up to £100!

Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, tablecloth napkins etc, few bottles of bubbles, desserts, enough for the family really

And all for £30? Sorry OP, but I call bullshit on this one.

That's a bit mean haha! Not all of us have the money to indulge on fine dining, I'm sure my dinner will be fab and as it's spent as a family tucking into a lovely meal! If people want lots of booze and chocolates and starters etc then that's fab and I'm sure their dinner will be lovely, but I just don't believe they have a right to complain 😂 that was the point of my post

We will have 14 people here. No starters, and a shop Xmas pud and one other homemade dessert. Just two free range turkey crowns will cost over £60. Add in veg, stuffing, cream, crackers, beer and cider for young adults, champagne and wine for the oldies, soft drinks for the drivers and non drinkers and you are looking at over £100 for one meal. Which isn’t bad on a cost per head basis, probably under £10 each for a really lovely meal and a lot of happy memories.

Luckily we aren’t big eaters so with some bread for sandwiches and a few bags of crisps, that will keep us going until Boxing Day.

Of course you can only spend £30. It’s just unlikely to be as nice and I think lots of people enjoy a bit of luxury at Christmas instead of frozen spuds and cheap fizz.

Starter - our 'starter' has traditionally consisted of the top layer of a box of Milk Tray whilst opening stockings around 10am

Main -14lb Turkey from local butchers plus Aldi trimmings served with bottle of wine although none of drink now..so even cheaper

Pudding - too stuffed for pudding on Christmas Day so traditionally we ate that Boxing Day

£50 all in for the 3 of us which given the size of the bird lasted a week so very good value and no extra cooking for the week

we feed 12 people a main meal and a light meal for 3 days in a row.
They are treat meals with extra trimmings, pudding and cheese so it does all add up to a surprising amount.

p.s. we always bought our crackers and table decorations in the January sales and put them away so even cheaper still. Another tip!

Of course it can be done cheaply, and I don’t really understand people who spend more than they can afford. But if you are fortunate to be able to spend more then it is is something to look forward to and enjoy all year. We spend quite a bit over Christmas and New Year and enjoy lots of good meals and hosting friends and family, but we are happy to cut back on things we don’t prioritise, we would never eat out over Christmas or New Year, don’t buy expensive gifts, don’t go on expensive ‘nights out’, or go the pantomime or anything like that which, personally, I think is very expensive but I know a lot of people enjoy it.

But most important, I never moan about the cost of Christmas, I only spend what I can afford .

I could definitely get a small turkey, veg, potatoes and small pigs in blankets for £30. But that’s not what’s expensive about Christmas though. It’s all the alcohol and the nibbles and the hosting. A few years ago, I had 7 people for the better part of Christmas Eve, Day and Boxing Day. 3 meals a day, nibbles, chocolates, alcohol, that food shop cost me £800! Thankfully, my parents (2 of the 7) were staying with us for the week and did put some money in to cover some of that.

But Christmas food (to most people) is about more than a bit of turkey and some veg.

It's the Christmas equivalent of the Mumsnet chicken.

Our Christmas dinner will cost less than yours, op, but mostly because I hate Christmas so it's just a roast dinner like any other.

To be honest we don't spend much more than normal on food at Christmas, other than the turkey which is £25 (and free range). We're only having my mum round though and don't drink much alcohol. I've bought the odd tube of pringles and a panettone in the last few weeks shopping to spread it out.

Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, tablecloth napkins etc, few bottles of bubbles, desserts, enough for the family

Are these the 'bubbles' OP?

I decided to forgo the turkey, trimmings, various puddings and meals for my guests and boil socks in their place. We’ve been wearing our socks all month to add flavour and interest. Bargain on all fronts as I’ve saved on washing powder too. Kills two birds with one stone really.... except without the bird.

The high costs are generally because of hosting family or guests also, many staying overnight. So it isnt just one meal.

If you suddenly go from 2 adults and 2 children, to 6 adults and 6 children, then everything is going to cost more. Three times at least by numbers. Thats basic 30, would be 90 just going on trebling what you bought, not on allowing extra for all other meals

Surely a few bottles of bubbles alone is £30, or near enough.

You don’t HAVE to spend a load but it’s special dinner and we like to get good quality stuff, we don’t buy anything premade except maybe pigs in blankets and stuffing.

Plus i am sure we’ll get through a lot more than a few bottles of bubbles. In fact DP and I have spent £80 on wine alone. DSis is doing spirits so god knows how much that’s come to. DParents are buying food which includes catering for four veggies and a vegan, then four meat eaters, so just a turkey won’t cut it.

Do you mean you spent 30 on the Christmas dinner meal rather than all the food over Xmas for that amount? I'm confused

LOL italian. I always think of those when someone says "bubbles".

Was your Turkey from a bloke down the market with a yellow three wheeler 😉?

Of course you can do it for cheap. You could buy four roast dinner ready meals from ASDA if you really wanted to and drink water. However, considering it's usually more than one meal and a big part of the expense is buying x number of presents for friends and family, I don't really get the point of this post. I think everyone knew it was possible to do it for less, just people want to splash out because they view it as special.

But christmas costs are more than just one meal on christmas day surely?

£30? Small turkey then?

I think the OP has ordered a quail instead.

I’m imagining a turkey the size of the one in Blackadder’s Christmas Carol.

Our meat costs around £80. Free range turkey, joint of gammon and joint of beef.

I think the OP has ordered a quail instead.

Turns out she’s actually vegan and it was a 50p bag of lentils and a tin of chickpeas.