Cost of Christmas meal less than last year

The Good Housekeeping Institute researched prices across the main supermarket chains and concluded that consumers can buy the 11 key ingredients for a traditional Christmas feast for as little as £20.26.

That figure works out at 4.9 per cent cheaper than last year’s. The figure was reached by ‘shopping around’, rather than buying everything in one store. The cheapest turkey came from Lidl, at just £8.99 for a bird weighing between 2.8 and four kilograms. Morrisions are cheapest for potatoes and Sainsbury’s had the best deal on mince pies.

Good Housekeeping’s consumer director, Caroline Bloor, said: “Thanks to low inflation and fierce competition between the supermarkets, budget conscious consumers will find plenty of festive food bargains this Christmas.

“While there’s a big variation in price on key items like Christmas pud and turkey, you can get the basics, like carrots and parsnips, pretty cheaply at most.”

Shoppers who prefer to do all their shopping in one store, would get the best price if they shop at Iceland. The cost of the full Christmas shop there came in at £24.81, compared with the most expensive, Waitrose, where the shop cost £47.84.

* All prices are subject to change.

WHICH SUPERMARKET PROVIDES CHEAPEST CHRISTMAS PRODUCTS? *

Turkey (2.8-4kg) Lidl Braemoor £8.99

Potatoes (2.5kg) Morrisons Maris Piper (right) £1.00

Sage & onion stuffing (2x85g): Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s 30p

Brussels sprouts (2x450g) The Co-operative 98p

Carrots (1kg) Morrisons 45p

Parsnips (2x500g) The Co-operative 98p

Cranberry sauce (200g) Aldi 65p

Christmas pudding (2x454g) Asda £1.96

Brandy butter (200g) Aldi £1.25

Mince pies (8) Sainsbury’s Basic Mince Puffs 70p

Christmas cake (800g) Iceland, Large Iced Fruit Bar £3

Total: £20.26

HOW THE STORES COMPARE *

Iceland £24.81

Tesco £25.77

Morrisons £26.17

Lidl £30.31

The Co-op £30.45

Aldi £31.96

Asda £32.80

Sainsbury’s £34.14

M&S £45.57

Waitrose £47.84