So it's your turn to host Christmas lunch. A task that can be fun, stressful, time-consuming, and most of all, expensive. We have compiled some tips to help you put together a Christmas lunch that is big on flavour, but can come in under budget.
Grocery stores will mark up anything they think you might buy for a Christmas meal, so buy anything you can ahead of time. If you plan to use any canned goods, or foods with a longer shelf life, buy them now! Or you could look out for specials in the weeks before Christmas to capitalise on the chance to save a few extra dollars. You could even stock up on your meats early, and pop them in the freezer until Christmas time.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make at Christmas (or any time) is to simple take your list to the nearest grocery store and buy up big. Take a look at some catalogues and browse the prices online before heading off to the shops. It might take you a bit longer to research, and visit a few different grocers, but if you have the time, the savings will be worth it.
Decorations can sometimes be exorbitantly priced, and for bits and pieces you're only going to use for a few hours, it usually isn't worth spending bit on tabletop decor. Get to DIY-ing some table decorations, use things you already have, or get crafty with some bits and pieces from the great outdoors. The sky is the limit!
If putting together a big dinner absolutely isn't in your budget, suggest a potluck dinner for your family and friends. You could have everyone bring along their favourite dish, or assign a few people to mains, others to salads, and one or two to dessert. Christmas is all about sharing and spending time with your nearest and dearest, and a big shared meal that everyone helped put together is an excellent way to do just that!