The truth about the cost of this year's Christmas dinner

The cost of Christmas dinner has fallen this year. So, when you,re greeting the son of God on happy Christmas morning, you can do so in the joyous knowledge that you°ve spent 15 pence less on sprouts than you did in 2023.

- WILL GORE

Turkey prices are down too. According to the retail tracking platform, Assosia, a 10lb bird costs £1.21 less than it did last Christmas – a 6 per cent fall. Sadly, it’s been a difficult year for root vegetable growers, so some of the savings are offset by more expensive spuds and parsnips. All in all, Assosia reckons your supermarket family lunch could come in at £31.66, down from £32.18 12 months ago.

Needless to say, some supermarkets offer better deals than others, with seasonal price wars having turned cutthroat. Apparently, Lidl can do you a complete Christmas dinner for about £11 (yes, 11, and that’s for a family of six!), including bags of vegetables at 9p each. And if you leave it till Christmas Eve, who knows what bargains are to be had.