Celebrity cook Justine Schofield says the freezer is your friend at Christmas. Source: News Corp Australia

Australia’s Christmas season food bill is expected to top $18 billion, and putting on a Christmas lunch can easily cost you a few hundred bucks, so here is moneysaverHQ’s guide to feeding the family without it becoming a debt nightmare.

SPLURGE AND SAVE

Being a complete cheapskate is not in the Christmas spirit, but you can choose what you splurge on and where you cut back.

Ingredients for a meal are an example — most people can’t tell the difference between a brand name ingredient and a supermarket home brand. IGA private label brand manager Sophie Challenor says these value brands include all the basic ingredients such as cream, butter and baking products.

“You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy all of the extra trimmings,” she says.

Jumping on the celebrity chef bandwagon is a splurge-or-save dilemma. Comparison website Mozo.com.au examined similar baskets of Christmas food from the Jamie Oliver and Heston Blumenthal ranges and found they cost $122 and $106 respectively, much more than the Coles brand ($48), Woolworths brand ($45) and ALDI ($69) items.

SHARE THE LOVE

Christmas is about sharing and that can extend to meals on the day. MyBudget director Tammy May says asking people to bring salads, side dishes or finger food can save you between $60 and $100, depending on the size of your family.

“Asking family to bring their own drinks can save up to $150,” she says.

SEARCH FOR SPECIALS

“Go through catalogues and don’t be afraid to go to different stores to shop around for a bargain. Pre-purchase non-perishables or foods you can freeze between now and Christmas and you will be able to save $50-$80 on things that are on sale,” May says.

Consumer movement One Big Switch campaign director Joel Gibson says people should make the most of limited time offers.

“The big supermarkets are doing a host of pre-Christmas special offers, either on delivery for online orders, or special promo codes that you can research at sites such as ozbargain.com.au,” he says.

MAKE A LIST AND CHECK YOUR PANTRY

Justine Schofield, host of Everyday Gourmet and a former Masterchef contestant, says write a list and check the ingredients you already have.

“The freezer is your friend when you’re trying to save money — as is the pantry,” she says.

“I think when people shop for food for a large number of guests they will just guess. For instance if they are buying prawns they will grab 8kg of prawns. But if you know you are serving 12 people do you need 8kg? Do your research, work out your budget and find the best place to buy what you need.”

Coles spokeswoman Anna Kelly says a careful list before heading to the shops will keep costs under control.

TECHNOLOGY TALKS

The internet is a great tool for comparing prices and will give you some ammunition if you’re feeling like haggling with a food supplier.

If you want to save money by avoiding an expensive traditional Christmas, check out taste.com.au’s Christmas menu planner that has economical, seasonal and casual options.

Kelly says mobile apps can help people add ingredients to digital shopping lists and even find relevant specials.

AFTER CHRISTMAS

Leftovers are the Christmas food gift that keeps on giving. MyBudget’s Tammy May says you can save about $100 by eating leftovers in the week following Christmas Day.

IGA’s Sophie Challenor says if stored correctly, ham off the bone can be kept in the fridge for a few weeks.

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