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!

If the turkey is included in that 30 quid spend, then it is probably one frozen since last Christmas . I don't think you are comparing like for like here OP. One decent meal can be put up for 30 quid (not sure where the turkey fits in); but when most people shop for Christmas, they are talking about covering all angles, all guests, unexpected guests, drinkers/non-drinkers, meal after meal after meal for more than one day. I am guessing the dinner for 4 includes 2 kids?

OP - can you breakdown your costs please?

So for our dinner we're having no starter - will have a Chicken roast (turkey too big) and some pudding - for 6 people form Tesco:

1 x large chicken : ~£6
1 x bag potatoes for roasting: 80p
1 x bag carrots: 30p
1 x bag parsnips: 30p
1 x box pigs in blankets (20): £2.62
1 x pack gravy: £1
1 x red cabbage: 79p
1 x bag sprouts: £1.10

pudding:
Pavlova: £2
Christmas pudding: £2
4 x tins value Custard: £1.20

That's around £18-20 - so it can be done for ONE MEAL

But a lot of people have lot more people round and will be feeding people possibly Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. it all adds up... especially if you want high-welfare meat (I chose a 'standard' chicken - but wouldn't actually buy that myself)

plus when you host - you often make more food than is needed, because you don't want to run out of food, or feel like you're being tight or have guests go hungry

THe smae food aboe with organis/highwelfare food would look like htis:

2 x organic chicken (enogh for 6) : ~£20
1 x bag organic potatoes for roasting: £1.50
1 x bag organic carrots: 89p
1 x bag organic parsnips: £1.50
1 x organic red cabbage (from waitrose): £1.35
1 x pack orgnaic sporuts (waitorse): £1.99
2 x 10 finest pigs in blankets: £5
1 x 500g finest gravy: £2.10

pudding:
Waitrose Pavlova: £4.50
Finest Christmas pudding: £9
4 x fresh cusard: £4.80

THat comes to around £53 - FOR ONE MEAL.... so it's easy to see how it could go beyond that by adding a starter...crackers...cheese board... drinks etc

I think lots of people expect better than an average roast on christmas day (good quality butchers meat a turkey or goose not chicken, goose fat for roasting potatoes etc), lots of side dishes and need to also pay for alcohol and relatives who will be staying at least the whole day and possibly into the next few days too. So lots of mince pies, brandy butter, chocolates, snacks etc.

We eat fairly frugally all year so will not worry about cost but get things we will really enjoy as a treat.We won't be spending hundreds and it's only for 2days.We need to eat thingfrom the freezer first to make room for leftovers.

My cheese board from the 'proper' cheese shop is costing £68 and a bottle of pink Veuve Clicquot is £36 - so that's £104 before I've started. HTH.

My Xmas lunch spend for DD and me is under £20

That includes the three courses and juice to drink (neither of us drinks alcohol)

Our budget is extremely tight and we can't afford extras and luxuries but we're happy with our fairly simple roast chicken

This year Christmas will be dirt cheap as we’re not really hosting anyone. Even then though, I’ll spend at least £30 taking nice puddings and wine round to other people’s houses over the period. It is hosting that costs money. Last year we had guests (different sets) for around 7 days and we spent an absolute fortune even with people bringing things. It is the sudden up in having more mouths to feed for multiple meals at a time when you generally want a treat.

It is silly to say you’ve done it cheap when you haven’t got people to stay and you’re counting one meal. Even then, I reckon our Christmas dinner for 3 will come to more than £30. We’ll get a nice quality joint for 2/3 for £15 ish, a good Christmas pudding is at least £10. I’d struggle to get all the veg we’d want for less than £5 so that’s the budget gone.

No doubt you could get it cheaper by getting something like this www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/sainsburys-just-cook-roast-butter-basted-turkey but that’s not most people’s idea of a Christmas joint.

I think the only thing being fed here for £30 is the troll.