In a festive challenge that yielded a shocking result, a London-based journalist discovered that a complete Christmas dinner for four people could be purchased at Lidl for a fraction of the expected cost.
The Festive Shop That Defied London Prices
Setting out to see if it was possible to buy a full festive feast without breaking the bank, the reporter navigated the aisles of the discount supermarket. The mission was clear: acquire everything needed for a traditional Christmas meal, from the central turkey to the celebratory fizz, and see what the final bill would be.
The shopping began with the main event. The centrepiece was a Braemoor Stuffed Turkey Breast Joint, which was already prepared with pork, sage and onion stuffing and came adorned with bacon strips. Priced at an astonishing £6.99, it immediately set a promising tone for the budget-friendly shop.
The Incredibly Affordable Trimmings
Moving on to the vegetables, the prices became almost unbelievable. A bag of parsnips cost just 74p, a kilogram of baby potatoes was 98p, and both a kilogram of carrots and 500g of Brussels sprouts came in at 69p each. This meant the entire selection of essential vegetable sides totalled less than £4.
The search for pigs in blankets brought a delightful surprise. Instead of the classic version, the shopper found a Chorizo pigs in blankets pack for £2.99, adding a modern, Spanish-inspired twist to the traditional plate. For the cranberry sauce, a basic option was available for 49p, but an upgrade to a richer, Ruby Port version for £1.49 was chosen to enhance the festive feel.
Sticking with the port theme, the shopper added a jar of Pott's Turkey gravy with Port for £1.90. The dessert aisle offered further bargains, with a six-pack of Favorina mince pies for £1.25 and a substantial 800g Favorina Christmas pudding for £3.99. To drink, a bottle of sparkling Pinot Grigio was selected for £5.29, bypassing the supermarket's own sweet liqueurs.
A Receipt That Felt Like a Christmas Miracle
Approaching the checkout, the shopper braced for the financial impact typical of a large grocery shop in the capital. However, as the items were scanned, the grand total settled at a mere £27.09. The figure was so low it prompted a double-check of the receipt to ensure nothing was missed.
This final amount meant that a full Christmas dinner with all the classic components – a stuffed turkey joint, potatoes, vegetables, pigs in blankets, cranberry sauce, gravy, mince pies, a large Christmas pudding, and a bottle of sparkling wine – cost less than a typical night out involving cocktails and an Uber in Central London.
For Londoners accustomed to the city's high cost of living, particularly in December, this shopping trip provided a rare and welcome feeling of financial triumph, proving that a festive feast doesn't have to come with a frightening bill.
