Christmas on a Shoestring

Beat the rising cost of Christmas.

With the news that the cost of a Christmas lunch or dinner has risen by over 6% you might be really feeling the pinch this year.

Supermarkets shelves are practically buckling under time saving, shortcut products which is great - but also they're extremely expensive compared with making your own. A few years ago Delia devised a Christmas lunch menu for under £5 per head, and although it's no longer that amount we still think it's the most economical way to feed 6 people a good, homemade lunch.

We have a checklist, a menu, and a guide to what you need to do in advance, on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day.

To start with go through our Storecupboard checklist, and tick off what you already have. there's nothing more annoying than buying something new only to find you already have it languishing at the back of the cupboard. The next thing is to get ahead with our Before Christmas recipes, and don't underestimate the help of spreading the cost of Christmas even by one extra month. The next thing is to do your final preparations on Christmas Eve, this will keep you nicely on track for the big day when you follow the Christmas Day guide.

You will find the full menu here

Blinis with Smoked Salmon

Braised Turkey Drumsticks with Port and Chestnuts

Mini Christmas Puddings for 6

Absolutely Homemade Mince Pies