Whether your chosen fare is a platter of fresh prawns or a traditional roast with all the trimmings, plenty of Aussie households will be gathering around the table this Christmas to enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family.
If you’re in charge of the whole menu, or just tasked with taking care of an entree or dessert, knowing where to get what you need at the best price could help you save.
Last year, Australians spent an average of $261 on their Christmas food and drink, with Gen X Australians spending the most at $294.
When it comes to festive favourites, ALDI and Coles earned top honours in Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Awards for Christmas foods. ALDI was top-rated for its leg ham, turkey, fruit mince pies, and lamb roast, and Coles earned top honours for its pavlova base.
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| Canstar Most Satisfied Customers Christmas Awards | |
|---|---|
| Category | Winner |
| Leg ham | ALDI |
| Turkey | ALDI |
| Fruit mince pies | ALDI |
| Christmas pudding | ALDI |
| Pavlova base | Coles |
Choosing when you hit the stores to get your spread could come down to strategy, with 28% of shoppers saying they wait until the very last minute to ensure the food is as fresh as possible.
However, if you wish to avoid the crowds, like the 45% of Aussies who say they find going to shopping centres during Christmas time stressful, try to get in early each morning, or even consider buying items that will last longer, earlier on.
We’re spoiled for choice when buying our Christmas food, and the major supermarkets are certainly keeping things competitive.
We scanned the prices of Christmas favourites—leg ham, lamb roast, prawns and fruit mince pies—and found prices either matched or differed by less than a dollar, with ALDI coming in the cheapest.
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| Costs of Christmas foods | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Woolworths | Coles | ALDI |
| Cost per kg | |||
| Leg ham | $8.00 | $8.00 | $7.99 |
| Lamb leg roast | $17.00 | $17.00 | $15.99 |
| Prawns (tiger) | $29.00 | $29.00 | $27.99 |
| Pavlova base (500g) | $7.50 | $7.50 | $6.99 |
| Fruit mince pies (x6) | $4.30 | $4.30 | $4.29 |
Note: prices accurate as of time of printing. Discounted prices not included.
That said, if you’re keen to keep costs down, take a note from Santa Claus and make a list, and then check it twice by comparing prices to catch any significant discounts at different supermarkets before hitting the shops.
For example, both Woolworths and Coles offer a six-pack of fruit mince pies for $4.30, while ALDI’s is on offer for $4.29. However, when we checked prices, we found that both Woolworths and Coles offered a discount, reducing the price to $3.50, a 19% saving.
Celebrating with our loved ones and enjoying a delicious meal shouldn’t have to come at a high cost. Sticking to a budget and using a list could help you keep your dollars in check.
This article was reviewed by our Finance Editor Jessica Pridmore before it was updated, as part of our fact-checking process.
The Star Ratings mentioned were awarded in the most recent ratings season. The results do not include all providers and may not compare all features relevant to you. View the Canstar Star Ratings or Award Methodology and Report for the product you are considering. The rating shown is only one factor to take into account when considering products.
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