How to Save Money on Christmas Dinner

With Christmas gifts, travel and feeding friends and family, the cost can empty your wallet in a hurry. One way to save money is to consider using smart tactics to save on Christmas dinner.

Instructions

1. Start becoming familiar with prices of turkeys, ham or beef filets. These are the most popular meats consumed during Christmas dinner, and you can find deals a couple months ahead of time at various stores. When you find the best deal, purchase that meat and freeze the meat. Take it out two days before to defrost in the fridge.

2. Purchase your items in bulk. Many cost clubs have deals on larger quantities of vegetables, baked goods and other holiday-themed meal items. If you are feeding more than five people, these larger quantities are a good idea.

3. Buy your produce seasonally. Don't think about serving raspberries or asparagus; they are out of season and most likely more expensive. Select more items that are in season, such as cauliflower, squash or broccoli. Not only are they less expensive since they are in season in December, they will taste better.

4. Look for coupons in your newspaper. Local papers most often have coupons that other stores will take. Call your supermarket ahead to make sure it accepts competitors' coupons.

5. Consider making your meal completely from scratch. Buying a pie, mashed potatoes or stuffing already prepared will be more expensive, because the price of that item has the labor of the person who made that item built in.

Tips & Warnings

• If you choose to make your Christmas dinner from scratch and time is a concern for you, you can stagger making your meal days ahead of time. Start baking two days ahead of time, smashing potatoes and baking your stuffing the day before.