How Much Food Should I Buy For Christmas? | Gousto Christmas (2024)

There’s a fine line between festively full and bursting at the seams.

If you’re trying to nail that balance this year, you’ve come to the right place. After asking the experts (chefs at Gousto and my mum) I’ve come up with a guide for how much you need for The Big Day, including turkey, gravy and even the Christmas pud.

So if you want some leftovers, but don’t want to be eating Christmas food till February, read on.

When it comes to turkey, size matters

Are you the hero on turkey duty?

Typically a 1.5kg turkey joint that’s off the bone will feed around five to seven people or around 2.5 to 3kg for a whole bird. And that’s including the leftovers for sandwiches, pies or turkey nuggets the next day. Just remember: it’s all about timings and a recipe you can truss – I mean trust.

How much veg is too much?

Whether it’s parsnips, sprouts, braised cabbage or carrots, 80g of each per person will do the trick. Clear your cupboards and fridge before writing your shopping list, it’ll stop you from overbuying at the shop.

Prepping and freezing beforehand is always a good shout. Top and tail your sprouts, then chuck them in the freezer – alongside sage-buttered parsnips (still raw) and if you want to hit the ground running on the 25th, you could even freeze parboiled potatoes.

Swimming in gravy

Is it even Christmas if your dinner isn’t doused in the good stuff? To satisfy everyone, you’ll need around 150ml per person. Need a recipe? This one’s my favourite: see how to make the ultimate gravy.

Potatoes gonna potate

Some people are turkey people. Some are about the bread sauce (you know who you are). Me? It’s roast potatoes. 200g per person is perfect, and if there are any leftovers you can chuck ‘em in a bubble and squeak, hash, or just grab a cold roastie right out of the fridge. This is a no-judgement zone.

Stuff it, it’s Christmas

If you don’t have a go-to recipe, this stuffing how-to is a stonker and 100g per person will be plenty. The ingredients are pretty basic too, so you probably already have them in the cupboard.

Wrap up Pigs In Blankets early

Pre-wrapping and freezing your pigs is a success story waiting to happen. I’d say three per person is enough, but I’d be lying. Portion for four each, in case hungry fingers pinch any before they reach the table.

Room for pudding?

Christmas pudding isn’t quite as controversial as Marmite, but it’s pretty close. If you and yours are pro-pud, go for around 100-125g per person. You’ll only need around 2-3 tbsp each max for the brandy butter or double cream (whichever you prefer), and if you have any leftover this post-Christmas chocolate yule log has your name all over it.

Still looking for festive inspiration? Feast your eyes on our Christmas hub or find your next Christmas recipe to add to the list this year.

What is Gousto?

Dinner, but not as you know it. Our big red recipe boxes will help you whip up wholesome, impressive meals no matter your skill level, with all of the flavour and none of the fuss.

From everyday favourites and speedy 10 minute meals, to global cuisines and healthy choices, you’ll have over 75 recipes to choose from each week from our menu. We’ll send you step-by-step recipes and all the fresh ingredients you need too. Just pick what you fancy for dinner, and leave the planning to us.

How Much Food Should I Buy For Christmas? | Gousto Christmas (2024)

FAQs

How much food does the average person eat on Christmas? ›

It might be easy to 'forget' to count your calories and reach for that last slice of cheese, but do you know just how many calories are in what you're eating and drinking? According to a study by Wren Kitchens, the average person packs away 5,373 calories on Christmas day.

How much does the average family spend on Christmas dinner? ›

Of course, presents aren't the only expense you'll likely incur – you also need to provide a lavish dinner for your family members. Nisbets reveals that the average cost of a Christmas dinner for two adults and three children alone is around £135, or £27 for each person.

How much food is wasted over Christmas? ›

However, it sadly results in 270,000 tons of Christmas food waste being disposed of despite being edible – that's around seven million bins full of waste food. And it's not the only shocking Christmas food waste statistic.

How much do people spend on food during Christmas? ›

Average Christmas Spending Data
Purchase TypeAverage Spend (2021)Percentage of Total Spend
Gifts for Family, Friends, and Coworkers$64864.9%
Non-Gift Holiday Items (Food, Decorations, etc.)$23123.1%
Other Non-Gift Purchases for Friends or Family$11811.8%
Total$998-
Oct 20, 2023

What does the average person get for Christmas? ›

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the average American plans to spend $826 in 2022 on Christmas gifts, food, and decorations. Of that $826 dollars, around 500 are spent on gifts for family members. The most popular of these gifts are clothing, toys, and gift cards.

What is a good Christmas budget per person? ›

A realistic budget for Christmas gifts depends on individual financial circumstances. However, a common guideline is to allocate around 1-2% of your annual income for gifts.

How much do parents spend on each kid at Christmas? ›

The doctor's claims come as a new survey uncovered that 70% of American parents plan to spend $200 or less on each child this holiday season. The survey, conducted last month by Statista, uncovered that almost one in 10 parents (9%) will spend $25 or less on each child.

How many presents does the average child get for Christmas? ›

There is no magic number but the general consensus seems to be between three gifts potentially up to around five. There will be many factors that contribute to this decisions; how many children you have, presents other family members may buy, how old your children are and, of course, budget.

What is the biggest Christmas waste? ›

One of the biggest sources of waste during Christmas is wrapping paper and gift bags. While these may make presents look nice under the tree, they often end up in the bin after they're opened. To reduce this waste, consider using reusable gift bags or boxes instead of disposable ones.

How many Christmas gifts are thrown away each year? ›

In fact, 5 billion pounds of gift returns end up in landfills every year. An astonishing number. Even more mind-boggling is that Americans spent $15.2 billion on all those unwanted gifts.

How many Christmas presents end up in the landfill? ›

But what happens to these unwanted presents? Almost one in five (19%) unwanted gifts will end up in landfill this Christmas, according to the same study.

How to do Christmas dinner cheaply? ›

Budget Christmas recipes
  1. Quick roast Christmas chicken & sticky veg. A star rating of 5 out of 5. ...
  2. Air-fryer roasted canned potatoes. ...
  3. Microwave cauliflower cheese. ...
  4. App onlyMincemeat flapjacks. ...
  5. App onlyAir fryer pigs-in-blanket turnovers. ...
  6. Brussels sprout slaw. ...
  7. Air-fryer soy & cranberry chicken wings. ...
  8. Veg peel fritters.

How to do Christmas on a very tight budget? ›

Christmas on a budget: top tips, statistics & alternatives
  1. Plan ahead before you hit the shops. Don't go into the crowds without a clear budget in mind. ...
  2. Agree on price limits for gifts. ...
  3. Be honest. ...
  4. Watch TV for free. ...
  5. Save on postage. ...
  6. Ask for advice. ...
  7. Loyalty cards. ...
  8. Give an experience.
Dec 10, 2023

How can I be frugal at Christmas? ›

The experts: money gurus' 20 failsafe, frugal tips to keep Christmas overspend at bay
  1. Limit your exposure to unreal expectations of Christmas. ...
  2. Don't throw money at the problem. ...
  3. Consider group presents. ...
  4. Try a Secret Santa. ...
  5. Reject the notion that 'it isn't Christmas without …' ...
  6. Budget for festive spending throughout the year.
Dec 7, 2023

Do people eat a lot on Christmas? ›

On Christmas days, for instance, individuals may consume up to 6000 calories, which is three times the recommended daily caloric intake.

What holiday consumes the most food? ›

Holidays are considered a time for indulgence. Rumors fly that the average American gains around ten pounds during the December festivities, but food consumption at Christmas only ranks third, behind Thanksgiving and Super Bowl Sunday.

What food is most eaten on Christmas? ›

The Most Popular Christmas Foods
  • Roasted potatoes (91%)
  • Scalloped potatoes (83%)
  • Roast beef (77%)
  • Red velvet cake (76%)
  • Ham (76%)
  • Christmas nuts (76%)
Aug 1, 2023

Why is there a 12 meals on Christmas? ›

Why do Poles eat 12 dishes during the Christmas Eve dinner? Tradition calls for 12 traditional courses to be served during the Polish Christmas Eve. This number is a symbol of wealth, the 12 Apostles and a representation of the 12 months of the year.

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