Thrifty Festive Feast

The Christmas dinner table is truly the centrepiece of the celebrations, and there’s nothing better than sitting down to a delicious meal with family and loved ones.

Keep the festive spirits high and the costs low this Christmas with our five festive tips for a decadent Christmas dinner without breaking the bank!

1. Bring a Plate

More hands make light work! If you’re hosting Christmas this year for the family, ask guests to bring a plate. Sides are a less pricey contribution, and everyone can decide beforehand what to bring so there are no double ups.

2. Stretch the Spirits

Along with the food, alcohol is another addition to the table that can drive up the expenses. Mix your favourite spirits with fresh fruit and soft drinks, and you have a winning beverage bowl for less!

3. Scrumptious Substitutes

Turkey, while traditional, can drive the food bill up, especially when feeding a crowd. With a bit of extra love and attention, the humble roast chook can be a magnificent centrepiece for the Christmas table. Check out our recipe for a great roast chicken with budget friendly substitutes.  VIEW RECIPE

4. Fresh & Festive

In South Australia, we are incredibly lucky to have an amazing range of fresh produce available at Christmastime. Avoid the budget blowout and shape your Christmas dinner around produce that is in-season during December, such as green beans, broccoli, carrots and peas.

5. Savvy Sides

Rather than adorning the pre-dinner table with an abundance of expensive nibbles and sides, add some Christmas colour with bowls of cool salads for the Australian summer that will tide guests over until the main event. Tomatoes, celery and potatoes are great starters, and you can add your favourite seasonings for flavour!