20th December 2025
For many families, Christmas dinner is the centrepiece of the festive season — a meal rich in tradition, comfort and celebration. However, in recent years the cost of putting that meal on the table has become an increasing concern. While food inflation has slowed compared with its peak, Christmas dinner items in the UK remain more expensive than they were last year, and these higher costs are reshaping how people celebrate — both at home and when dining out.
How Much More Does Christmas Dinner Cost?
Research by consumer groups and supermarkets shows a mixed picture. On the surface, some headline "Christmas dinner baskets" appear broadly flat year-on-year due to heavy supermarket promotions. However, when individual items are examined, many staples have risen noticeably in price.
Typical price changes compared with last Christmas include:
Turkey: Whole turkeys are up by around 5-8%, with premium and free-range birds seeing larger increases.
Pigs in blankets: Prices have risen by roughly 7%, driven by higher pork costs.
Stuffing: Some popular branded stuffing mixes are over 40–50% more expensive than last year.
Vegetables: While basics like carrots and potatoes remain relatively affordable, seasonal veg such as sprouts and parsnips are up around 5–10%.
Festive treats: Chocolates and sweets have seen some of the sharpest rises, with certain products costing up to 60–70% more than last Christmas due to higher cocoa and sugar prices.
Overall, a typical Christmas dinner for four people now costs around £32–£35, depending on where and how people shop. That is broadly similar to last year if shoppers take advantage of discounts, but without promotions the same basket can be 10–13% more expensive.
Why Are Prices Still High?
Several factors continue to push up festive food costs:
Higher farming and production costs, particularly for meat, linked to feed, energy and labour.
Supply chain pressures, including ongoing impacts from bird flu on poultry supplies.
Global commodity prices, especially cocoa, sugar and dairy, which affect desserts and confectionery.
Energy costs, which influence everything from food processing to refrigeration and transport.
While inflation has eased overall, food prices have not fallen back to pre-cost-of-living-crisis levels, meaning households are still feeling the squeeze.
The Impact on Eating Out at Christmas
These rising costs are not just affecting home cooks — they are also pushing up the price of eating Christmas dinner in restaurants, pubs and hotels.
Hospitality businesses face many of the same pressures as households, but on a larger scale. Higher food costs, increased wages, and elevated energy bills mean that many venues have had little choice but to raise prices. As a result:
A traditional Christmas Day meal in a pub or restaurant now typically costs £75–£120 per person, up from around £60–£90 a few years ago. So in Caithness give thanks to hotels and restaurants for keeping costs much lower then other place for eating out at Christmas.
Premium venues and hotels often charge £150 or more, particularly in major cities.
Even pre-Christmas festive menus have risen by 10–20%, with fewer low-cost options available.
For some families, this makes eating out a luxury rather than a convenience. Others are choosing to scale back — opting for smaller gatherings, fewer courses, or celebrating at home instead.
Changing Traditions and Consumer Choices
As costs rise, Christmas traditions are quietly evolving. Many households are:
Switching to smaller turkeys or alternative meats
Relying more on budget supermarkets and own-brand products
Cutting back on extras such as desserts, alcohol, or luxury chocolates
At the same time, restaurants are adapting by offering shorter menus, smaller portions, or early-booking discounts to attract customers who are more cautious with their spending.
While Christmas dinner remains a cherished tradition, its cost is increasingly shaping how people celebrate. The price of many festive staples has risen since last year, and although supermarket promotions help soften the blow, the underlying reality is that Christmas food is still significantly more expensive than it was before the cost-of-living crisis.
For households, this means more careful planning and budgeting. For restaurants, it means higher prices and tougher decisions about how to balance quality with affordability. Ultimately, the rising cost of Christmas dinner is another reminder of how inflation continues to influence everyday traditions — even at the most festive time of year.