Top 10 Christmas food essentials and how to save on them

Many of us have certain non-negotiables when it comes to Christmas food. Whether that’s mince pies, Baileys, or crackers, a lot of us are willing to splurge on what we deem “festive essentials”.

Our research here at thinkmoney revealed the top 10 Christmas cupboard essentials that Brits refuse to go without.

Topping the list were tubs of chocolate with over half of Brits partaking. Cheese crackers, Christmas pudding and mince pies were also popular choices. Here’s the full list:

• Tubs of chocolate (57%)
• Cheese crackers (39%)
• Christmas pudding (37%)
• Mince pies (36%)
• Turkey (36%)
• Nuts (32%)
• Gravy (28%
• Baileys (27%)
• Cheese / cheese board (25%)
• Cranberry Sauce (22%)

There’s nothing wrong with a festive treat to get you in the holiday spirit. However, it turns out, people get a little overenthusiastic with their holiday food shop.

In the aftermath, around 1 in 10 say their chocolates go uneaten, rising to 1 in 5 among 25-34 year olds. Around 11% admit to wasting crackers and cheese, while 10% throw away Christmas pudding. “Just-in-case" items like cranberry sauce, brandy butter, and bread sauce often get binned before they’re eaten (or sometimes even opened).

How to save on your Christmas food essentials

None of us want to waste money on food that just ends up in the bin anyway. But how do we find the right balance between getting into the festive spirit and overconsumption?

Vix Leyton, our consumer expert here at thinkmoney, says: “We love the idea of being prepared for Christmas, but for most of us, the Christmas cupboard is often overstocked and based on habits; full of snacks we ‘save for guests’ who never turn up, and puddings nobody really likes but we buy anyway because it feels festive.

“We all want Christmas to feel abundant, but that doesn’t have to mean overspending. A lot of what ends up in that cupboard is impulse – the third tub of chocolates or the ‘just-in-case’ cranberry sauce that never sees the table, none of them expensive but all of them stack up and have an impact when January drags on.

“The trick is to plan ahead, buy what you’ll actually use, and find smart ways to save on it. You can be generous and indulgent without the guilt of being wasteful.”

Vix’s top tips for saving money on the Christmas essentials are below.

Start with a cupboard raid

Before you hit the shops, check what you already have. Last year’s cranberry sauce, unopened crackers, or stray chocolates might still be good to go. Make a list of what you actually need; it’s the easiest way to avoid buying duplicates.

And don’t be shy about asking guests to bring something like bread sauce. It clears out their cupboards and saves you money.

Don’t fall for “festive fever”

Supermarkets make everything look like a must-have but stick to your list. Avoid shopping when you’re tired or hungry – you’ll buy more and regret it later.

If you’re shopping closer to Christmas, start noting prices now so you know if a “discount” is real. And watch out for multibuys; check the price per 100g or per item to see if it’s truly a bargain.

Make use of loyalty points

Clubcard, Nectar, Morrisons More, they all offer member prices, but don’t assume it’s always the best deal. Compare brands and pack sizes. If you’re flexible, swap to items with points boosters because those points can turn into pounds later.

Stack your savings

Combine discounts wherever you can: cashback apps, browser extensions for online shops, and loyalty points.

If you have a thinkmoney SmartPlus account, you get access to PlusSave which gives you up to 30%^ off gift cards for hundreds of retailers.

*^Offers are subject to change and may vary. Check the thinkmoney app for the latest offers. *

Plan your portions

Write your guest list before your shopping list. Ask what people love and what they’d skip, then focus on essentials like meat, veg, and basics. Top up treats closer to Christmas when you’ll know what you still need, so you don’t end up paying corner-shop prices on Christmas Eve.

Spread the cost smartly

If you like to shop early, make a plan. Spread staples across your normal weekly shop instead of doing one big panic buy.

Christmas dinner doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Focus on the foods your family loves, swap branded for own-brand, and don’t be afraid to break tradition. A little planning can save you cash and cut down on waste too.