Cash advice

The cost of keeping everyone fed and watered is often a concern during the festive period. But the good news is, the Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI) has found the price of Christmas dinner is cheaper this year than it has been for the previous two...

1 A CHANGE IN PRICE

This year’s prices are eight per cent lower than 2018’s. The easing of inflation compared to last year has contributed to the lower prices, along with an uncertain political and economic backdrop, that’s encouraged the grocery sector to continue to lower prices. While the cheapest carrots will cost 5p more than in 2018, Christmas cake and brandy butter have stayed the same price and eight of the Christmas dinner staples – including turkey and sprouts – are cheaper.

2 THE CHEAPEST SUPERMARKET

This is the 11th year the GHI has compared prices at the leading supermarkets to find out where you can buy the cheapest Xmas dinner. They compared 11 staples including turkey and Christmas pudding to feed a family of eight*. This year, there are pennies in the difference between the top two supermarkets.

The cheapest Christmas baskets: 1. Aldi - £24.78 2. Iceland - £25.25

3. Lidl - £26.22

4. Tesco - £30.62

5. Asda - £30.72

6. Morrisons - £33.54

7. Sainsbury’s - £35.14

8. Co-op - £35.28

9. M&S - £38.35

3 REASONS TO CELEBRATE

The good news is that six of the supermarkets have cut their prices compared to last year. The cheapest basket from Iceland will cost you £9.08 less than the identical basket would have in 2018. Meanwhile, Marks & Spencer’s identical basket is £2.58 cheaper, Lidl’s basket is £2 less, Aldi’s costs £1.65 less, Tesco’s is 81p cheaper and Asda’s basket is 52p cheaper.

4 SHOP AROUND

If you want to bag the biggest bargain, shopping at more than one supermarket is the way to do it. The GHI calculated the cheapest possible price of Christmas dinner for eight by adding together the lowest priced item in each category for all the supermarkets involved in their survey. Choosing to shop around this year could cut the cost of Christmas dinner down to just £2.86 per head. Here’s where to buy the cheapest products… Turkey - £9.49, Aldi; potatoes - 69p, Iceland; carrots - £0.40, M&S; parsnips - 80p, M&S; Brussels sprouts - 80p, M&S; stuffing mix - 32p, Aldi or Lidl; cranberry sauce - 49p, Aldi; Christmas pudding - £3, Iceland; Christmas cake - £4.29, Aldi or Lidl; brandy butter - £1.39, Iceland; mince pies - £1.18, Aldi.

5 LOYALTY DOESN’T PAY

Caroline Bloor, Consumer Affairs Director, Good Housekeeping, says: ‘Consumer loyalty is no longer set in stone when it comes to shopping at one supermarket.

In a time of economic challenges, consumers want to get as much bang for their buck as possible, and the supermarkets know this, which is why keeping prices as low as possible to ensure maximum footfall is a key priority for them.’