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Save on festive running costs
Mid-winter is a time to keep cosy and enjoy comforting, warming food. We reveal how you can achieve both on a budget.
Expectations can run high at festive times, which may mean our heart rules our head when it comes to spending. But perhaps splashing out on a deluxe Christmas pudding could be swerved this year if you know that no one’s interested in it once they’re full from the main course. And maybe costly bubbly could be swapped for a low-cost sparkling tipple that our independent taste testers rate highly. Read on for more about where to shop and what to buy to get the tastiest food for the best price. We also have tips for keeping your home cosy.
Which? Picks for Winter
Which? Picks is a curation of products, handpicked by our experts based on performance and price point. Each of the items we highlight has been through our rigorous lab or in-house testing process and scored well. When it comes to staying warm this winter, picking great products will make all the difference. Check back on the Which? Picks hub throughout winter to see our latest updates.
While energy costs remain high, you’ll save money and feel more comfortable if you can draught-proof any places around the house where warm air escapes.
A letterbox plate or draught excluder is worth adding, while a brush strip at the bottom of the door acts as a seal and is cheap and easy to install.
For windows and doors, use foam sealing tape – this is inexpensive and easy to do yourself.
Draught-proof your loft hatch in the same way to prevent hard-won hot air from rising into your roof space.
If you just need to heat up one room – or you want a back-up in case the central heating conks out – a portable electric heater can be a good bet. Convector heaters are best for gentle heat over a few hours, while fan or halogen heaters are better for a short blast. Heating performance and cost varies a lot, so go for one of the best electric heaters from our tests.
What’s the cheapest supermarket?
Every month Which? compares thousands of prices at the UK’s biggest supermarkets to reveal the cheapest place to buy your groceries and household essentials throughout the year.
- Aldi has been the cheapest every month for more than a year now, with Lidl coming in a close second.
- Asda is regularly the cheapest of the ‘Big Four’ supermarkets, but Morrisons has recently competed successfully for this crown.
- Waitrose and Ocado generally come in at the priciest for a similar basket or trolley-load of everyday items.
When we checked in 2022 which supermarket you would pay the least if you bought nine staple Christmas dinner ingredients, including turkey, Brussels sprouts and Christmas pud, the price pattern followed that of our regular monthly shop, with Aldi and Lidl the cheapest – just pennies apart – and Asda coming a close third.
The Christmas food shop – making the best choices
Which? taste testing goes into overdrive in the months running up to Christmas. As soon as we can get hold of the various Christmas offerings from supermarkets and big brands – from pigs in blankets and stuffing, to roast potatoes, mince pies and Christmas pudding – our large panel blind-tastes them, giving their verdicts on flavour, texture, looks and aroma.
Our 2023 tests are now being published, alongside our tips and advice on how to save on your festive food shopping. We also have a handy guide covering the Christmas ranges of the major supermarkets so you can see what's on offer at a glance.
In 2022 Waitrose and Aldi were placed first and second respectively for mince pies, while Sainsbury’s took the crown for its cognac-laced, 18-month-matured Christmas pudding. Cheaper supermarket own labels often beat pricier brands, so you won’t be skimping on flavour and enjoyment if you choose our tasters’ top choices for 2023.
December Which? Magazine
Brands and supermarkets change their recipes regularly, so what may have been a delicious choice last year may be a lemon this year. The December issue of Which? Magazine will be packed with up-to-date results on Christmas-related Best Buys and Recommended Providers. Our website will also be constantly updated with the best food and drink that has impressed our tasters, so you can see what to include in your shopping list over the festive season.
Christmas cooking made easy
As well as where and what to buy, we also have some expert tips on how to cook your Christmas meal to perfection.
Microwaves and air fryers are efficient for cooking smaller amounts, and induction hobs beat both gas and traditional electric hobs for efficiency. Although cooking using gas is much less efficient than using electricity, because it’s cheaper to buy per unit it can make for lower fuel bills. Find out more about the cheapest ways to cook for you.
Christmas tipples
Each year, we ask a panel of wine experts to blind-taste Champagne, so if it’s that once-a-year treat, you can buy the best. In 2022, top brand Moët & Chandon were well down in the league table, with Tesco taking the top spot. Lidl and Aldi also beat the iconic brand, not just on price, but quality, too. Head to all of our wine guides to get 2023 verdicts on the best Champagne, prosecco, cava and sparkling wine.
Whether at Christmas, or all year round, our free monthly Food and Health newsletter helps you to shop savvy, eat well and stay healthy.