Here’s how to make a great Christmas dinner on a thrifty budget

BE OPEN to trying new recipes. Ensure you collect the Gleaner Christmas Cookbook, as this creates a diverse spread for your table, definitely within budget.

Remember to mix things up a bit. Instead of standard Christmas ham, you can do a Christmas ham with a sorrel glaze. I personally tried this last year and my family enjoyed it. I also had traditional gungo rice and peas, curried mutton, roasted stuffed chicken, curried shrimp, etc. Cooking is fun. As PWDs, I know we know how to have an awesome time, so turn up the heat in the kitchen this Christmas.

I enjoy the cooking part immensely as I have a passion for creating gastronomical delights. Remember to be careful in the kitchen as we (PWDs) may be more vulnerable to burns and cuts in there. I prefer to work from a kitchen that has the conveniences I need, but if I don’t have that type of kitchen available, I either make some temporary changes and/or ask for help.

Take a potluck approach to Christmas. Invite not just family, but all the friends you can and have them bring a dish for the table. This helps cut down your cooking time and ensures that everyone feels like they have contributed in some way.

When shopping, be extra careful and if possible, reach out to the store you usually shop with and let them know you may need some assistance if you need some help.

Always shop with a list, this way you will stick within budget.