Host Your Own Family Mince Pie Taste Trial: A Fun and Festive Christmas Tradition

As the festive season approaches, it’s that time of year when mince pies start filling supermarket shelves and cafés, tempting us with their buttery pastry, spiced fillings, and sugar-dusted tops. 

But with so many options to choose from, how do you know which mince pies are truly worth the calories? 

Instead of relying on reviews or online rankings, why not turn it into a fun family event and organise your own mince pie taste trial? 

It’s the perfect way to embrace the Christmas spirit, have some laughs, and crown your family's favourite mince pie of the season!

Here’s a guide to organising your very own taste trial to determine which supermarket or café chain truly reigns supreme in the world of mince pies.

Step 1: Plan Ahead and Gather Your Pies

To make your mince pie taste trial a success, you’ll need a good selection of pies from various supermarkets and cafés. In the UK, many well-known names offer their take on the festive treat, so consider including options from:

Supermarkets: Marks & Spencer, Asda, Morrisons, Booths, Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi, and Lidl.

Café chains: Costa Coffee, Caffè Nero, Pret A Manger, and Greggs.

Aim to include a mix of both budget-friendly and premium mince pies to see if price truly reflects quality. Depending on the size of your gathering, plan to get at least one pie per person from each brand so everyone can have a decent taste.

Tip: To ensure you’re tasting the latest batches, purchase the pies as close to the trial date as possible.

Step 2: Set Up the Taste Test

To keep things fair and unbiased, turn your taste trial into a blind taste test. Here’s how:

Remove all packaging: Take the mince pies out of their boxes and place them on plates, assigning each brand a number instead. Make a note of which brand corresponds to each number and keep this list hidden.

Keep it simple: Label each plate with a numbered card, so no one knows which brand they’re sampling.

Cut the pies into quarters: If you have a larger group, this ensures everyone gets to try a bit without getting too full. Plus, it allows you to stretch your budget further.

Step 3: Prepare Tasting Scorecards

Create scorecards for your guests to rate the mince pies on different criteria. You can either design your own cards or use a simple format like the one below:

Criteria Score (1-10)

Appearance

Pastry texture

Filling flavour

Balance of spices

Overall impression

Ask each family member to rate the pies from 1 to 10 for each category. Encourage everyone to make notes on what they liked or disliked about each pie. To make things even more fun, you can add extra categories like "Most Christmassy Aroma" or "Best for a Cup of Tea".

Step 4: Conduct the Tasting

Once everyone is seated and ready, hand out the scorecards and let the tasting begin! To cleanse the palate between samples, provide water, plain crackers, or apple slices. This helps prevent flavours from blending and ensures each mince pie gets a fair assessment.

Encourage your family to take their time savouring each pie, discussing their thoughts as they go along. This is where the festive fun really begins as opinions are shared, debated, and defended!

Step 5: Tally Up the Results and Announce the Winner

After the tasting is complete, collect everyone’s scorecards and add up the results. Reveal which mince pies correspond to each number and announce your family's top mince pie of the season!

For added excitement, you could even create fun awards such as:

Best Value for Money: The pie that offered the best taste for its price.

Most Traditional Flavour: For the mince pie that stayed true to classic tastes.

Best Pastry: Celebrating the crispiest, flakiest, and most buttery crust.

Family Favourite: The pie that received the highest overall score.

Step 6: Celebrate with a Hot Drink and Leftover Pies

Once the results are in, it’s time to relax and celebrate with a festive drink. Pair the remaining mince pies with a pot of spiced tea, mulled wine, or hot chocolate, and toast to a successful taste trial. It's a wonderful way to wrap up the evening and get into the Christmas spirit.

Bonus Tips for a Successful Taste Trial

Decorate your space: Add some festive decorations, play Christmas music, and light a few candles to create a cosy, celebratory atmosphere.

Get the kids involved: Children will love helping with the set-up and scorecards. You can also create a kid-friendly category, where they rate based on sweetness or the amount of fruit filling.

Document the fun: Capture photos of the tasting event, especially those funny moments when someone tries a particularly divisive pie! These memories will be lovely to look back on year after year.

Why This Tradition is Worth Starting

Organising a mince pie taste trial is a fantastic way to bring family together during the festive season. Not only does it add a bit of fun and excitement to your Christmas preparations, but it also gives everyone the chance to bond over a shared love of delicious festive treats.

And who knows? You might just discover a hidden gem that becomes your new go-to mince pie each year. So gather your loved ones, sharpen your taste buds, and let the mince pie judging begin!

Happy Tasting and Merry Christmas!

Incidentally the genesis of this blogpost came when I bought two different types of mince pie and I thought: "Hang on! This needs to be on That's Christmas!"¬

Want to know which UK supermarket has the cheapest vegan Christmas dinner? Adventrum has the answer for you

The festive season is very much upon us, and the most prepared Brits out there will have already started planning for the big day and everything that comes with it, from the presents to the parties, and most importantly, the Christmas dinner.

With so many components to put together, it can be hard to know where the best one-stop shop is to get all your Christmas dinner ingredients. Particularly, if you are vegetarian, or are catering for a vegetarian.

While cutting expensive meat items such as pigs and blankets and a turkey crown can certainly help to cut costs, there remains a need to plan a budget, and sometimes it's less obvious how much veggie-friendly supplements will cost.

Thankfully, Adventrum has crunched the numbers and costed up the price of a veggie-friendly Christmas dinner at six of the UK’s top supermarkets. 

1. Aldi - £28.20

2. Tesco - £32.84

3. Asda - £33.22

4. Morrisons - £33.71

5. Sainsbury’s - £34.60

6. Waitrose - £53.24

There’s probably no surprise that Aldi comes in as the cheapest supermarket for a vegetarian Christmas dinner, with the total cost of the full meal being a mere £28.20. The cheapest vegetarian Christmas dinner component at Aldi is the 15-pack of Yorkshire Puddings priced at only £0.46.

In second place is Tesco, where a full vegetarian Christmas dinner came in at £32.84. For chocolate lovers, Tesco is the cheapest supermarket to pick up a Cadbury’s selection box, as they cost £1.50 with a Clubcard membership.

Not far behind in third place is Asda, where a full vegetarian Christmas dinner costs approximately £33.22. However, the Quorn Vegetarian Roast was cheaper at Asda than any other supermarket at just £3.00.

Morrisons placed fourth with a full cost of £33.71. However, this supermarket had one of the most expensive turkey crowns (£31.47), meaning the biggest savings are on offer for meat-eaters switching to the vegetarian option this Christmas.

Sainsbury’s placed fifth, as a vegetarian Christmas dinner from this supermarket was found to cost an estimated £34.60. 

Finally, Waitrose was the most expensive supermarket by some distance at £53.24. A big factor in Waitrose being so much more expensive was the vegetarian turkey supplement costing a massive £16.00. But it must be said that one surprise bargain to be found is that Maris Piper potatoes are 5p cheaper at Waitrose (£1.65) than they are at Aldi (£1.70).

The study used a Quorn Vegetarian Roast as the turkey supplement at Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco. For Aldi and Waitrose, the home-brand products that most closely resembled the Quorn Vegetarian Roast were used, as the Quorn product was unavailable. 

That's Christmas would like to thank Adventrum for sharing their research data with us. You can check out Adventrum at https://adventrum.com. 

(Image courtesy of MM from Pixabay)

 

Worried about prices this year? Have no fear! Aldi's Christmas Price Lock is Here!

New research from Aldi has learned that some 40% of us plan to ‘spend less on Christmas food’ compared to last year, because of the cost-of-living crisis.

With 35% saying they plan to scale back on Christmas celebrations in general.

In response, Aldi has announced a special ‘Christmas Price Lock,’ with dinner staples including Christmas pudding and pigs in blankets locked at 2022 prices.

This means a family of four can eat for under £15 – the cheapest of all the major supermarkets.

Aldi are also committing even further by going lower on fresh whole turkey prices compared to last year.

With Christmas next month, the research from Aldi has revealed over1 in 3 (35%) Brits are worried about the cost of Christmas, and are planning to scale back celebrations this year due to rising costs. 

The supermarket has found 40% of us are planning to spend less on Christmas food compared to last year, while nearly 1 in 5 are planning to invite fewer people to their Christmas meal, with aunties and uncles topping the list of those most likely to be uninvited (15%), closely followed by mothers-in-law (12%) and fathers-in-law (11%). The selfless among us (16%) said they were even considering uninviting themselves from Christmas, to save costs for friends and family.

In response to this and to ensure as many people as possible can celebrate Christmas to the fullest this year, Aldi has announced a ‘Christmas Price Lock’, which will see prices of key food staples including a range of whole turkey crowns, pigs in blankets, Christmas puddings, and festive vegetables remain the same as they were in 2022. 

The Aldi Price Lock, which will be available in stores all over the country, could see a family of four enjoying their Christmas meal for under £15. What’s more, three of Aldi’s fresh turkey lines will be even cheaper than 2022 at just £3.75 per kg this Christmas.

The Price Lock comes as 2 in 5 Brits admitted they were planning on curbing the amount they spend on the Christmas meal due to rising food costs, with roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, and even the turkey all in the running to be cut back or removed from this year’s spread, despite being among the most popular elements of the entire meal.

Aldi has announced the Price Lock ahead of November, when over a quarter of Brits (26%) start buying food for the Christmas day meal. However almost 1 in 5 (17%) of those surveyed admit they’re spreading the cost of the big day, starting to stock up on items in the sales, with chocolate, wine, and Christmas pudding topping the list of items already stashed away.

A breakdown of the Aldi Christmas Price Lock items can be seen above.

Richard Thornton, Communications Director at Aldi UK commented: “At Aldi we believe everyone should get to enjoy an amazing Christmas, which is why we’re introducing the Aldi Christmas Price Lock. Our research proves cost is a major factor when it comes to choosing food options and by locking the prices of key staples at the level they were in 2022, it will help our customers up and down the country enjoy the Christmas dinner they deserve with the ones they love.”

Thanks to Aldi’s Christmas Price Lock, Brits can now enjoy the Christmas dinner they deserve, for the same price as last year, with the nation’s favourite Christmas dinner items, turkey and pigs in blankets making the list. This comes in just as Aldi has been named the cheapest supermarket for the 16th consecutive month, by Consumer group Which?.

Now that Aldi shoppers can invite the same amount of people as last year, who would be the dream person at the table? The research found Sir David Attenborough voted as the most desired person to share a meal with (25%), followed by Stephen Fry (16%) and David Beckham (12%). What’s more, 6% said they’d invite Tyson Fury, beating Kim Kardashian and Britney Spears.  

Products which form the Aldi Price Lock are available across the following dates this festive period:

Turkey available from 19th December

Holly Lane Christmas Pudding 400g available in stores now

Butcher’s Select Pigs in Blankets available from 24th November

Super Six Festive Vegetables available from 18th December

www.aldi.co.uk

Stock up for Christmas wines with Aldi's amazing deals

Shoppers can stock up for Christmas with bottles of red, white and rosé for as little as £3.49. the promotions run right up until New Year’s Eve  

To celebrate the countdown to Christmas, Aldi is reducing the prices across its best-selling AND award-winning wine range in the lead-up to Christmas.  

Shoppers stocking up can save up to 65% on some classic winter wines, meaning they can pick up a £10 bottle for under £3.50!

Nineteen bottles will be on offer across eleven weeks; but shoppers will have to be quick, the price drop is limited to just one week for each bottle! 

6th November – 12th November

Specially Selected Gavi (WAS £7.99, NOW £4.99 – SAVING 38%, 75cl)

Moving into November, shoppers can enjoy an incredible 38% off Aldi’s Specially Selected Gavi. A deliciously fresh white wine with blossom, banana and apricot kernel aromas. A breath of summer in the depth of winter.

13th November – 19th November

Pierre Jaurant French Fitou (WAS £7.99, NOW £4.99 – SAVING 38%, 75cl)

This hearty autumnal red boasts flavours of plum, blackberry and spice with aromas of bramble fruits and blueberry for a full-bodied and well-structured finish.

20th November – 26th November

The Garden Route South African Sauvignon Blanc (WAS £7.99, NOW £3.49 – SAVING 56%, 75cl)

For those who’d rather something fresh and grassy, The Garden Route South African Sauvignon Blanc can deliver (and at amazing value too), with notes of asparagus, green pepper and gooseberry.

27th November – 3rd December

Estevez Chilean Malbec (WAS £5.79, NOW £3.49 – SAVING 40%, 75cl)

Smooth and juicy, the red offers ripe black fruit flavours with a slight herbal freshness on the finish – a bargain buy for under £4!

Savvy shoppers can expect to start making savings every week. We’ll raise a glass to that!

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Aldi’s Hotel Collection Candle Advent Calendar available soon

Counting down the days to Christmas has never been so luxurious as Aldi launches its first ever Candle Advent Calendar (£24.99). 

Featuring 25 candles ranging from Aldi’s best-selling scents to brand new and exclusive fragrances, all housed in a gorgeous premium teal and rose gold box complete with bow, Christmas is coming early this year! 

Available in stores from 29th October, it’s the perfect gift for those that love life’s little luxuries, although shoppers will need to need to be quick as with all Specialbuys once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Hidden behind numbered doors, candle fans will be stunned and surprised with a new single-wick scented candle each day as Christmas nears, including a selection of brand-new Hotel Collection scents. 

The NEW Birch & Hawthorn oozes leathery bark notes with a hint of vanilla and almond, while the NEW Tonka Bean & Pistachio is nutty and herbaceous with sweet, woody touches. Or, for a true scent of Christmas, Ginger Biscuit which will invite a warm, spiced scent into your home.

Ideal for lighting while unwrapping presents beneath the tree, there’s the delightful NEW Christmas Morning scent, as well as other festive-inspired fragrances such as Roasted Chestnut and fresh Peppermint.

Fans of Aldi’s Hotel Collection candle range will also be thrilled to see some returning favourites, including Peony Blush, Oud & Bergamot and Sweet Almond & Macaroon, as well as the best-selling Lime, Basil & Mandarin.

The full candle selection includes:

Ginger Biscuit

NEW Birch & Hawthorn

NEW Tonka Bean & Pistachio

Lime, Basil & Mandarin

Blackberry & Bay

Pomegranate

Pine & Eucalyptus

Bitter Orange

Peony Blush

Amber Woods

Velvety Rose

Oud & Bergamot

Fig & Cassis

Oak & Redcurrant

Sweet Almond & Macaroon

Opium Noir

Night Orchid

Myrrh & Sweet Tonka

Roast Chestnuts

NEW Snowdrops

Peppermint

NEW Midnight Musk & Amber

Oud Wood & Vetiver

NEW Cypress & Eucalyptus

NEW Christmas Morning 

Aldi’s Hotel Collection Candle Advent Calendar will be available in stores from 29th October while stocks last.

It costs £24.99.

www.aldi.co.uk

Christmas crisp alternatives from Aldi

Aldi’s latest launch of new limited-edition Walkers Christmas Pudding Crisps has caused a bit of a stir on heated social media.

Festive snack lovers are heading to Aldi stores to pick up the brand-new, limited-edition Walkers Festive Selection Pack, featuring unique Christmas-related flavours: Sweet & Spiced Christmas Pudding, Pigs in Blankets and Festive Turkey (£1.65, 5 pack).

The Christmas Pudding flavour, which has just landed on Aldi shelves, has sparked heated debate on social media, with one TikTok user calling the crisps a ‘crime against humanity’ while a Facebook user claimed that they taste ‘strangely nice’.

This new arrival will join Aldi’s existing range of quirky, festive crisp flavours in stores including the Specially Selected Hand Cooked Pigs in Blankets Crisps and the Specially Selected Hand Cooked Turkey and Stuffing Crisps, as well as the brand NEW Specially Selected Wagyu Dripping Roast Potato Crisps and Specially Selected Spicy Chorizo and Turkey Crisps (all £1.15, 150g).

As with all Aldi Specialbuys, shoppers best be quick to bag the new Walkers additions as once they’re gone, they’re gone. Aldi’s own brand festive crisp range will remain on shelves until Christmas.

Aldi’s Christmas Crisps range is available in stores now, so get down to Aldi as soon as possible!

https://www.aldi.co.uk

Aldi's fantastic new Christmas sandwich range hits the shops soon

Aldi's 2023 range includes a NEW Seafood Cocktail Bloomer and the returning favourite, Pigs Under Cheesy Blanket Sub Roll.

Aldi is serving up a delicious dose of fantastic festive cheer to shoppers this Christmas, with 2023’s highly anticipated range of mouth-watering festive sandwiches, including the NEW Specially Selected Seafood Cocktail Bloomer, and the Pigs Under Blankets Sub Roll. Available in stores from 28th October and priced from just £1.75, the range is sure to get shoppers bread-y for the season!

All-new Seafood Cocktail Bloomer is joining this year’s collection of Christmas sandwiches, the range is sure to stir excitement among shoppers craving a yuletide flavour fix.

NEW Specially Selected Seafood Cocktail Bloomer (£2.69) – A brand new addition to Aldi’s line up, the Specially Selected Seafood Cocktail Bloomer is the ultimate holiday delight. Succulent king prawns, surimi, and cold-water prawns combined with a rich Marie Rose cocktail sauce, a spritz of zesty lemon juice and Apollo leaf lettuce offers a fresh taste of the ocean nestled between hearty slices of malted bloomer bread.

Pigs Under Cheesy Blankets Sub Roll (£2.49) – For a moment of special yuletide feasting, submit to the ultimate Christmassy cravings with this sumptuous sub. Sausages paired with crisp rashers of streaky bacon, topped with creamy soft brie and perfectly complemented by a sweet cranberry sauce.

Limited Edition Christmas Turkey Feast Sandwich (£1.99) – Indulge in this limited-edition Turkey feast sandwich and enjoy all the best of the season in one mouth-watering moment. Tender slices of British turkey breast combined with crispy smoked bacon, meaty pork and sage onion stuffing, finished off with sweet cranberry sauce and creamy mayonnaise on seeded malted bread.

Turkey and Trimming Toastie (£1.75) – This toasted sandwich is a turkey lover’s dream and comes complete with all the Christmas dinner essentials in tasty toastie form. With turkey, bacon, stuffing, and a mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheese combining in bread to create a melty meal on the go, this toasted treat will be a hit with Aldi shoppers this festive season.

Vegan Festive Feast Sandwich (£1.99) – This jam-packed festive sub is a veggie filled feast that will sleigh your taste buds with plant-based perfection! Cranberry and poppyseed bread is filled with parsnip fritters, red cabbage, and apple, as well as cranberry sauce, pumpkin vegan sage, onion mayonnaise and spinach.

Turkey Feast Wrap (£2.29) – A seasonal feast to brighten up any lunchtime, the Turkey Feast Wrap combines tender slices of British turkey breast with crispy smoked bacon, meaty pork and sage onion stuffing, layered amidst sweet cranberry sauce and creamy mayonnaise.

Brie & Cranberry Chutney Sandwich (£1.99) – The ultimate French combo. This delicious vegetarian sandwich combines velvety brie cheese with a tangy cranberry sauce, complemented by orange and ginger chutney on oatmeal bread.

Salmon and Soft Cheese Sandwich (£1.99) – This go-to sandwich is a continual Christmas classic and combines Scottish Salmon, delicately infused with lemon, and finished with black pepper, with a creamy soft cheese on wholemeal bread. 

Aldi’s Christmas sandwich selection is available in stores from 25th October onwards. 

www.aldi.co.uk

Over 20,000 free mince pies are ready for Aldi customers

Aldi is offering a special voucher to purchase up to 24 mince pies per person by simply emailing freealdimincepies@clarioncomms.co.uk

Aldi predicts over180,000 mince pies to fly from shelves in the first week of launch.

And Northerners are found to be the UK’s biggest mince pie punters

Despite Christmas still being three months away, the festive season has already arrived as Aldi’s anticipated range of delicious mince pies hit the shelves.

To celebrate the first mince pies of the season landing in stores, Aldi is giving shoppers the chance to win one of a 1,000 £5 vouchers. To be in with a chance of getting their hands on these Christmas must-haves, hopefuls should simply email their name and email address to freealdimincepies@clarioncomms.co.uk.

After the supermarket saw over seven million mince pies fly from their shelves last year, 2022, Aldi is expecting over180,000 pies to be snapped up in the first week of launch alone! Most of which are likely to be bagged in northern parts of the UK, with northern Aldi shoppers found to be the biggest mince pie fans last year.

And with prices starting at just 21p per pie, Aldi is ensuring lucky winners are fully stocked this Christmas with the free voucher equating to over 20 pies per person. With 1,000 vouchers up for grabs, this equates to 24,000 FREE mince pies!

Julie Ashfield, MD of Buying at Aldi, said: “We know mince pies are a Christmas staple for our shoppers, so we’re delighted to be able to guarantee an abundant supply for 1,000 successful winners ahead of the festive season!”

Customers can use their voucher to try Aldi’s range of mince pies landing in stores, including the NEW Holly Lane Iced Mince Pies (£1.39, 6 pack) short crust pastry cases filled with mincemeat, topped with icing, or the classic Holly Lane Deep Filled Mince Pies (£1.25, 6 pack) working out at just 21p per pie, a festive bargain!

Aldi’s Holly Lane Iced Mince Pies and Holly Lane Deep Filled Mince Pies are available to buy in stores and via Click and Collect now.

*Full T&Cs apply, visit: https://www.aldi.co.uk/free-mince-pies

Aldi launches latest Autumnal and Winter months range. And it's 67% cheaper than other brands

Make your home cosy this autumn and winter with Aldi’s latest interior and homeware range. Available in-stores from 28th September with prices beginning from as little as £2.49. 

Shoppers will be able to pick up a whole host of stylish essentials and save up to £134 compared to brands like John Lewis & Partners and H&M Home.

Featuring must-haves including tablecloths, rugs, bedding and even decorations such as gonks and wreaths the range is certain to be a sell-out, but as with all Specialbuys, shoppers need to be quick, as once they’re gone, they’re gone!

For a statement entrance, shoppers can add the Autumn Wreath (£9.99) to walls and doors. Choose an orange, pumpkin style for a seasonal upgrade or for a more subtle look, the white eucalyptus will achieve a Scandi aesthetic. 

A must-have to keep hallways clean after long autumnal walks, the Entrance Mat (£2.49) and Extra Long Entrance Runner (£12.99) are both available in dark grey, light grey and light brown, combining style with practicality. Meanwhile, the Large Felt Storage Basket (£5.99) is great for storing hats and scarves, whilst also keeping areas of the home neat and tidy.

Elevate table settings with Aldi’s new stylish Autumn Tablecloth (£8.99). Available in on-trend, neutral colours of brown, cream, grey or terracotta and made from 100% cotton, the tablecloth offers a sophisticated touch to living spaces. For added ambiance opt for the Ceramic Tealight Holders (£3.99). Available in three designs including a cute pumpkin, a matte black house and a white house, these tealight holders are the perfect table decoration to set the scene for long cosy dinners.

Ensure your bedrooms are warm and inviting as the cold weather draws in with Aldi’s latest selection of quality bedding. Available in double and king styles, the Brushed Cotton Duvet Set (Double, £14.99, King £16.99) provides extra warmth and will keep heat in throughout the night. 

Choose from seasonal patterns including ditsy floral, geometric patterns and navy woodland. Lucky skincare fanatics can find the Copper Infused Pillow (£9.99) in the middle aisle this autumn. With proven anti-bacterial and anti-aging qualities this is a must-have beauty buy. Made from super soft material and available in charcoal, cream, green, or rust, the Boucle Throw (£12.99) is the perfect finishing touch, whilst also being the perfect companion for movie nights in. Ideal for wooden floors, the Faux Fur Rug (£8.99) is available in a range of neutral colours and will add extra warmth to bedrooms.

For low-effort touch-ups and updates to the home, shoppers can choose from a selection of autumnal décor. Available in three seasonal styles with a shiny battery-operated LED nose, the Autumnal Gonks (£7.99) are great for mantle pieces or as front door decorations. Perfect for year-on-year use the Autumn Cushion Covers (£4.99) come in four stylish patterns including green leaves or rust triangles and will add depth to sofas and armchairs.  Or why not get Halloween-ready with the adorable Pumpkin Cushions (£4.99).

Shoppers will be able to save a whopping £133.56 (67%) compared to brands such as John Lewis, H&M Home and Habitat:

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That's Christmas believes these items will be really good for making an impactful and beautiful Christmas at your home this year, so please check them out!

Plan ahead for Christmas and save money!

It's often difficult buying what you need for Christmas, the food and drink, presents, decorations, etc.

However, with the current economic situation, things might be a bit tighter than usual, this Christmas.

Some people will flex the plastic or even take out expensive loans and then face a New Year of penury and hardship as a result.

But it doesn't have to be like that at all! Here is the simple That's Christmas Plan Ahead for Christmas Programme!

1) If your shop or supermarket has a savings club, sign up for it and save a small amount of money for Christmas.

2) If you see an item that would make an ideal Christmas present for a family member, buy it when you see it (so long as the price is keen) and put it away for Christmas.

3) Rather than buying a large amount of drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) at Christmas and risking buying more than you'll need, add a bottle or two to your weekly shops between now and Christmas. If you find you need more you can always pop out to the shops when you need to.

4) Bearing in mind use by and best before dates, stock up on foods for Christmas well before the Christmas season. And avoid any potential pre-Christmas price rises that might occur!

5) Get crafting! You might be surprised at how good you can be with making special bespoke Christmas gifts for friends and family members. Also, why not try your hand at making unique Christmas decorations? Hobby Craft, Home Bargains, Poundland, Rymans and The Works all stock craft items and art items.

6) Shop around! You'll be pleasantly surprised to find the item you wanted to buy at a much lower price in a discount shop. 

7) Check out local/regional Christmas Markets to see of there are any you'll be able to get to. However, if you are looking out for genuine Continental Christmas products/produce then the German discount stores Aldi and Lidl are both well worth checking out. 

https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk

https://www.poundland.co.uk

https://home.bargains

https://www.bmstores.co.uk

https://www.ryman.co.uk

https://www.theworks.co.uk

https://www.lidl.co.uk

https://www.aldi.co.uk

(Image courtesy of Jan Vašek from Pixabay)

Aldi for Christmas

Over the next several days, That's Christmas and sister site That's Food and Drink will be writing articles about the special seasonal foods and drinks (including speciality spirits, liquors, wines and beers) that are available from Aldi.

The quality is far higher than some 'nationally known' food brands and all at far keener prices, too.

Please keep an eye out for these articles. Because they'll tell you how with Aldi you will be able to host the perfect Chirstmas and New year and all at prices that you might think went out of fashion, years ago!