Mum reveals how to spend under £25 on a Christmas dinner for five

Christmas is undoubtedly one of the most expensive times of the year. As a family of five, my shopping list is pages long over the holidays. From the children’s never-ending wishlist to the decorations, it’s hard to stick to a strict budget. But for us, keeping an eye on the purse strings is essential. At this time of year, things can get out of control, and before you know it, you could be paying well into the new year. With the help of Tesco, here’s how I spent under £25 on a Christmas dinner for five.

How the adventure started:

One of the most important parts of Christmas for us is sitting around the table and eating as a family. So, I knew I had to make a delicious dinner that the whole family would enjoy.

When I saw the Tesco ‘five eat for £25’ offer, I was a little sceptical. Although my three children are young - when it comes to food, they would give most grown men a run for their money. Christmas isn’t the time for added whinging and bickering over who has the biggest plate. But with the budget quickly dwindling, I decided it was worth testing the bundle that promises to deliver all the food needed to create a delicious festive meal ahead of the big day.

What was in my Tesco shop?

Do you want to create a Christmas dinner for five under 25? Here's everything I selected from the frozen dinner for £25 bundle. Keep reading to find out how I got on with the cooking and discover how much the little ones enjoyed it. Spoiler alert - they loved it.

Cooking

Firstly, a disclaimer: I am no Gordon Ramsay. But as is often the case, now that I have my own family, I am learning on the job - especially when it comes to cooking. When my order promptly arrived the next day, I frantically began googling ‘how to cook a turkey’. I was pleased to see that the Tesco turkey had a helpful cooking time and suggestions on how to cook it.

This meal was a cost-effective Christmas dinner. It had all the bells and whistles - without the huge price tag. I loved that the vegetables were pre-cut because it made cooking easier. I was delighted that the roast potatoes were lovely and crisp on the outside but gorgeously fluffy on the inside. The turkey looked and smelled amazing. Even with my cooking skills!

What are the benefits of Tesco's frozen dinner for £25?

One of the benefits of ordering from Tesco was I could order everything I needed from the comfort of my sofa and have it delivered straight to my door. So, goodbye to novelty Christmas music in the supermarket aisles and hello to a stress-free Christmas shop experience.

The best bit about it? All the produce comes frozen, which means very little goes to waste. It's a winner, especially when we're trying to be frugal.

The verdict

The Tesco bundle is a fantastic option for any family trying to budget this Christmas. The total cost was £24.05, which I thought was an absolute bargain.

We had a lot of vegetables left over that can be used for future dinners. The meal itself was delicious. The vegetables tasted fresh and were still full of flavour.

Other than cooking the turkey, this meal required minimal effort. So, you can spend more time with your family on the special day.

Can I add Christmas table decorations to my shopping?

Now you know how to spend under £25 on a Christmas dinner for five, it's time to decorate your table. If you're on a budget, Tesco has some fantastic added extras. This table cover and luxury Christmas cracker, will ensure you bring a little magic home.