Be prepared! Here's how much more you'll be spending on Christmas dinner this year

Ah, Christmas. It's a time for catching up with our loved ones and feasting on a range of delicious foods until we practically burst.

But unfortunately, prices are going up yet again, and it looks as though our holiday plans may be at risk of going over budget pretty soon. So, just how much will Christmas dinner cost this year?



What would Christmas be without a dinner table full of festive goodies shared with loved ones? However, with the rising cost of living, many of us find ourselves needing to tighten the belt with our food budgets – and unfortunately, the holidays are no exception.

Grocery prices have been rising for a while now, with the average Aussie household projected to spend an extra $59 each week by the end of the year. And in the months leading up to September this year, grocery prices increased by a whopping 9 per cent.

Looking at a range of Christmas staples, such as turkey, cranberry sauce, and some of the trimmings, experts provided a breakdown of a ‘typical’ three-course Christmas meal for a group of about 10 people. The items have all been selected from supermarket giants, such as ALDI, Coles, and Woolworths.


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Christmas dinner may not be the same this year, due to the rising costs of groceries. Credit: picjumbo.com/Pexels

The good news is that the prices of many Christmas dinner core items, such as leg ham, turkey, and Christmas pudding, remain unchanged at major supermarkets from 2021. For instance, a smoked half-leg of ham costs $8.50 per 1kg at Coles (or $38.25 for approximately 4.5kg). Woolies also had the same price since last year for their smoked half-leg ham at $8.50 per 1kg (or around $55.25 for approximately 6.5kg).

While ALDI is selling their version for one cent less (at $8.49 per 1kg).



Woolworths also emphasised that it was selling Ingham’s frozen turkey for $7 per kilo – 50 cents less per kilo than last year. Christmas pudding cost the same as last year – shoppers can buy this staple at $7 for 700g at both Coles and Woolworths.

Seafood items, on the other hand, saw a price increase. Jumbo Tiger prawns cost $39 per kilo at the start of the month, $2 more per kilo than last year. Expect to pay $2.30 more for 300g of Ocean Blue Smoked Salmon this year, too.


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We recommend using discount codes and rewards apps to save more this holiday season. Credit: Nicole Michalou/Pexels

Dairy items, such as cheese and custard, followed the same increase in price. A starter selection, including cheese and crackers, cold meats, and chips, costs $10.45 more than last year.

Desserts also saw an increase in prices, and the total came in at $23.10 higher than in 2021. This was fuelled by the dramatic price hike of cherries, thanks to the wet weather.

When all the prices are tallied up, the total cost of a three-course Christmas dinner in 2022 will set you back $55.15 more than a similar feast in 2021.


Key Takeaways

  • Grocery prices have gone up an average of 9 per cent in the months leading up to September, and Australians can expect to pay an extra $59 each week on groceries by the end of the year.
  • Prices for core Christmas dinner items like leg ham, turkey, and Christmas pudding have largely stayed the same, but other items such as prawns, smoked salmon, and dairy have seen considerable increases in price.
  • The cost of a typical three-course Christmas dinner for 10 people has gone up by $55.15 compared to the same meal in 2021.
What are your thoughts on this, members? Will you be cutting back on some of these Christmas staples? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
 
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My daughter has decided we are having Christmas lunch at McDonald’s the 4 children will each have a happy meal and be able play to their hearts content no prep, no washing up just happy kids. Me, not so much I am not a fan of McDonald’s 🤣🤣🤣
 
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I am not doing anything special for Christmas dinner although I do have in the freezer a rolled, stuffed chicken breast that I bought marked down a week or so ago, might cook that with some veggies. :)
 
I am not doing anything special for Christmas dinner although I do have in the freezer a rolled, stuffed chicken breast that I bought marked down a week or so ago, might cook that with some veggies. :)
A quiet one for us this year too. Only two,possibly three of us so very low key.
 
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I have never had turkey or seafood for Christmas. When I was young it was ham, chicken, pork & maybe lamb along with roast vegies. Now, on a pension, I might have chicken & salad. Everything else is too pricy.
 
I am not doing anything special for Christmas dinner although I do have in the freezer a rolled, stuffed chicken breast that I bought marked down a week or so ago, might cook that with some veggies. :)
Yeah I bought a stuffed turkey breast 2 weeks ago for half price froze it although I will get a ham when they're on special
 
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