Festive yet frugal: 3 ways to save money on Christmas food

At Christmas, your food bills can be astronomical with all the tempting treats for sale. Below are a few tips that will help you stick to a budget and save money while still enjoying the season.

First, determine your budget for Christmas food and stick to it.

• Save money in preparation for the Christmas season and buy items gradually in the weeks before the holiday.
• Look for discounted cookies and wine in autumn, as supermarkets often reduce the price of these items in the off-season. You'll not only add to your Christmas food supply, buy you'll also have a selection of gifts for others.
• If the supermarket has a loyalty card program, redeem your points around Christmas to save on groceries and holiday supplies.
• Find out the types of foods family members and friends like and don't like, which will prevent you from buying treats that may go to waste.

The deep freeze is your friend at Christmas, so it's important to ensure there's sufficient space before you buy large amounts of holiday foods.

• Items like cranberries freeze well, so snap them up when they're on sale and use them for Christmas cooking later.
• Use a slow cooker to cook a good one-pot meal in advance and freeze it until you need it. With some careful planning, you'll have delicious homemade meals that can be defrosted quickly for dinner parties, leaving you more time to have fun.
• During the summer, if you have a garden you can grow your own vegetables and freeze a batch for Christmas.

Shop-bought canapés can be costly, but taking the time to rustle up some homemade treats can save money.

• Items such as cheese straws and bite-size crudités are simple to make and can be delegated to the kids, which will keep them busy.
• Many varieties are perfect for making in advance and freezing, which saves time during the festive season.
• Prepare Christmas chutneys and preserves during the autumn when fruits peak in quality.

Don't let expenses ruin your Christmas plans. By staying organized, saved pennies will start to add up, allowing you to stay within your budget while still enjoying delicious holiday treats.