Food costs continue to climb and shoppers are already feeling the strain as Christmas remains one of the biggest annual splurges for an average household.
Research by Switcher.ie found that a Christmas food shop can cost over €324 for a typical family of four, with the average Christmas dinner costing around €53, and festive treats and party food total €32.
Coupled with other expenses like presents, trees, and socialising, Christmas costs could reach approximately €1,724, according to the price comparison service.
To help you cut back, Switcher.ie has four thrifty tips to slash grocery bills by almost 60 per cent - saving an average of €183 and stretching your Christmas budget that bit further.
1. Switch supermarkets
Comparing Christmas grocery costs across three major Irish supermarkets, Switcher.ie found big savings can be made by simply switching to the cheapest shop.
A festive food shop from a well-known, high-end retailer could set you back around €90, while switching to a discounted supermarket chain would save an average of €21, reducing your total bill to just €69.
2. Opt for own-brand
Consider swapping pricier food items for the supermarket’s own-brand label, which could sometimes slash the price of your weekly grocery shop in half.
Swicher.ie's research found that opting for the cheaper label over a premium brand could save you around 25 per cent on the average Christmas shop for items like fresh turkey, ham, vegetables, and treats.
This tip could save an average of €81 for cash-strapped shoppers.
3. Bag a yellow sticker bargain
Hefty discounts can be found on food approaching its sell-by date, discontinued items or products with damaged packaging. Sometimes, entire shelves are dedicated to these clearance offers marked with a yellow label.
Yellow sticker bargains usually appear in the morning, after lunch, or just before closing. Savings start at around 10 per cent and reach up to 75 per cent at certain times.
The price comparison service said this would save an average of €32.
4. Use discount cards & vouchers
Much-loved loyalty schemes—like Dunnes’ ValueClub, Tesco Clubcard, or Lidl’s LidlPlus—and shopping vouchers will truly knock a chunk off your shop, Switcher.ie said.
These schemes often unlock sizable discounts of 15 per cent or more on food items, and you earn points for every euro you spend, which you can exchange for fresh groceries and even fuel.
The average savings from this tip could reach €49.
Switcher.ie's consumer champion, Eoin Clarke, said: “Although inflation is easing, families could still be left worse off this year as the cost of groceries continues to climb.
"As sky-high bills put an even bigger strain on Christmas budgets, shoppers will want to save as much as they can, wherever they can. My advice is to plan ahead, set a budget and compare prices to make sure you get the best deal.
"Simple swaps like shifting to discounted shopping chains, opting for own-brand supermarket labels, shopping local and seeking out upcycled gifts over brand new presents can cut costs and ease the burden, so you enjoy the festive season that bit more.”
