While it’s incredibly positive that there has been a decrease in prices this Christmas, it’s still essential to be as cost-effective as possible when shopping over the next few weeks.
Before heading out on your Christmas food shopping, it’s crucial to write a list beforehand. This will prevent you from overspending and will remind you to only purchase things that you need.
It’s also important to consider portion sizes before heading to the shops to reduce the amount of food waste this December. Always plan your menu in advance and make the most of leftovers this year.
For families looking to save money during the festive period, it’s important to compare prices across different supermarkets and keep an eye out for any pre Christmas discounts.
For example, while Aldi is the most cost-effective supermarket in the UK, this research shows that supermarkets such as Asda and Sainsbury’s are indeed offering cheaper prices for stuffing and gravy.
As shown by this study, switching to meat-free alternatives can be a great way for some families to save money this Christmas.”
- £25.37 is the current average cost of a Christmas dinner in 2024
- The study analysed data from six leading UK supermarkets to determine the average cost of essential Christmas dinner items, such as turkey and pigs in blankets
- The research also identifies Aldi as the most cost-effective supermarket for Christmas food shopping
A new study has revealed that £25.37 is the current average cost of preparing a Christmas dinner in 2024.
Experts at the financial comparison site, Good Money Guide, examined data from the UK’s six leading supermarkets to determine the average cost of each essential Christmas dinner item, including: turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing, parsnips, carrots, peas, Brussels sprouts, gravy, cranberry sauce, potatoes, and Christmas pudding.
Data was obtained from the following supermarkets: Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, and Waitrose.
According to data from Statista, the average cost of a Christmas dinner in 2023 was £42 – which means that prices have fallen by a significant £16.63 this year.
The study reveals that Aldi is the most cost-effective supermarket for your Christmas shopping this year, with an average cost of £17.33 for a Christmas dinner. Purchasing your turkey from Aldi will save you a staggering £14.43 compared to Waitrose’s prices.
Asda is revealed to be the second most cost-effective supermarket for Christmas shopping, with an average price of £20.50 for a Christmas dinner. At Asda, the average price for turkey is £10.95 –£1.38 more than Aldi’s prices. The study found that Asda is offering the cheapest prices for both stuffing and mashed potatoes this Christmas.
Sainsbury’s appears in third place, with an average cost of £20.83 for a Christmas dinner in 2024. According to the study, Sainsbury’s is offering some of the cheapest prices for carrots this Christmas, charging an average of 55p per kg – 21p cheaper than Aldi’s prices.
The study also found that Sainsbury’s has the cheapest cost of gravy this year, with an average price of £2.35 per kg.
Tesco ranks fourth as the most cost-effective supermarket, with an average cost of £25.31 for a Christmas dinner. Purchasing your turkey at Tesco this Christmas will set you back £17 – which is only £7 cheaper than Waitrose’s prices.
The average cost of a Christmas dinner in each leading UK supermarket:
| Rank | Supermarket | Average Cost of a Christmas Dinner |
| 1 | Aldi | £17.33 |
| 2 | Asda | £20.50 |
| 3 | Sainsbury’s | £20.83 |
| 4 | Tesco | £25.31 |
| 5 | Morrisons | £26.06 |
| 6 | Waitrose | £37.70 |
Morrisons is in fifth place, with an average cost of £26.06 for a Christmas dinner. According to the study, Morrisons has the most expensive prices for mashed potato this Christmas, costing an average of £2.25 per kg – which is 27p more expensive than Aldi’s prices.
Meanwhile, Waitrose is identified as the least cost-effective supermarket for Christmas food shopping, charging an average of £37.70 for a Christmas dinner. The supermarket has the most expensive prices for turkey this year, with an average cost of £24.
The study also found that Waitrose has the most expensive prices for pigs in blankets, stuffing, parsnips, carrots, peas, and cranberry sauce.
The study found that turkey is the most expensive component of a Christmas dinner, costing an average of £15.12 across the UK’s six leading supermarkets. This means that for families looking to save money during the festive period, it may be worth considering switching to meat-free alternatives this Christmas.
Other costly items include pigs in blankets, stuffing, and Christmas pudding.
Interestingly, the research also reveals the Christmas dinner items that will cost you the most money in terms of the amount of leftovers. For a family of two adults and two children, there will be an average of £10.66 worth of leftovers this Christmas.
Methodology
- For each of the six leading supermarkets in the UK, the study obtained data for the price of the following items: Turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing, parsnips, carrots, peas, Brussels sprouts, gravy, cranberry sauce, potatoes, and Christmas pudding.
- Data was collected from each of the following supermarkets: Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, and Waitrose.
- Data was not able to be collected from the Co-op, as the supermarket’s website did not offer a set price for turkey.
- The study collected data on the 2nd of December 2024.
If you use any insights from this story, please provide a linked credit to Goodmoneyguide.com, as they conducted the research for this piece.
Richard is the founder of the Good Money Guide (formerly Good Broker Guide), one of the original investment comparison sites established in 2015. With a career spanning two decades as a broker, he brings extensive expertise and knowledge to the financial landscape.
Having worked as a broker at Investors Intelligence and a multi-asset derivatives broker at MF Global (Man Financial), Richard has acquired substantial experience in the industry. His career began as a private client stockbroker at Walker Crips and Phillip Securities (now King and Shaxson), following internships on the NYMEX oil trading floor in New York and London IPE in 2001 and 2000.
Richard’s contributions and expertise have been recognized by respected publications such as The Sunday Times, BusinessInsider, Yahoo Finance, BusinessNews.org.uk, Master Investor, Wealth Briefing, iNews, and The FT, among many others.
Under Richard’s leadership, the Good Money Guide has evolved into a valuable destination for comprehensive information and expert guidance, specialising in trading, investment, and currency exchange. His commitment to delivering high-quality insights has solidified the Good Money Guide’s standing as a well-respected resource for both customers and industry colleagues.
You can contact Richard at richard@goodmoneyguide.com
