December is finally here and that comes with a number of things, top of the list being Christmas and food. We all know that the festive season can cost something approaching a small fortune, so here are five clever ways to save some money on the cooking. Stay frugal and you can still enjoy the finer things. Here’s how.

1. Buy alcohol on offer

Most people will want to enjoy a tipple (or two!) over Christmas, and it gets pricey if you have to cater for a large family. Whether you’re looking for beers, beers, wine, whiskey or egg nog, do the research and you can bag yourself a bargain. Start by planning what you’ll actually need to avoid buying too much. Then browse online for some deals. Don’t forget to check out your local shops and supermarkets too for Christmas deals on alcohol.

2. Make soups

Soups will warm you up in winter and are cheap to prepare, not to mention tasty and a way to use up any leftovers. You can put virtually anything in them. You could make a classic vegetable-based broth with a Christmas twist of something like venison, or even make a stilton and cranberry soup if you’re aiming to impress!

3. Look for the best deals

One obvious way to save money on the cooking this Christmas is to ensure you get the best deals on your ingredients. This means writing a list and sticking to it, perhaps visiting multiple shops for different items, and even shopping online. If you go down this route, it would be best to get your shopping done a few days in advance to allow for any dramatic setbacks such as your desired item selling out!

4. Make everything yourself

Another way to save money at Christmas time is to make your own food. So roll your sleeves up and dust off that baking tin! Find a recipe you like and then get cracking on the Christmas pudding, mince pies and even the cookies for Santa! Your friends and family will appreciate the extra effort you’ve gone to and will definitely taste the difference!

5. Use up those loyalty points

Each year we build up our supermarket loyalty points without really considering the value of stockpiling them. This year use up whatever points you have left and next year try to save them for the holidays. You’ll save money on the shopping, leaving you with extra cash to spend on the family.

These five tips will make cooking light on your wallet. Being thrifty with the kitchen budget means getting creative, and don’t forget to recruit the whole family to help out with the cooking. You can all get in the fun and have a really wonderful Christmas!