Anyone Else Not Having Turkey This Christmas? 2 November 2022 at 12:01AM in MoneySaving mums 22 replies 1.8K views

fallen121

The price of turkeys has been getting ridiculous these past few years and as there are only 3 of us and no other family within 500 miles we've been having turkey crowns for as long as I can remember. But this year we started using an oven style air fryer with shelves instead of a conventional oven to save on electricity. Although the one we have has a rottisserie feature that allows you to roast a small 1 or 2 kilo chicken, we've actually decided not to bother at all this year and in the spirit of money saving we're going to having a curry which I'm going to make in the slow cooker with naan, pakora, bhajis and samosas done in the air fryer. This was actually my daughter's suggestion. She's now at University, working part time as a waitress and sharing the bills as she's living at home (can't afford a student flat as the prices in Glasgow have doubled since lockdown). Obviously she's very aware of the price of utilities as she's actively contributing, but she has fewer years of Christmas Dinners to tie her to the tradition. I think she talks a lot of sense. WHY are we actually doing this?

I think we will save a bundle of money as we won't be running the oven for hours and hours but so far don't know anyone else that is actually taking the plunge and doing anything similar. I just begrudge the cost. I'm sure if we really want a turkey dinner there will be plenty of eateries offering that option in the run up to Christmas but as far as I am concerned the state of my bank balance this year trumps tradition. I'm sure we'll have a really nice family meal regardless. I will always love a nice roast, but to be frank it's not the be all and end all of everything and the stress of cooking it all on Christmas Day has always meant that I haven't been able to simply veg on the two days I have off work.

What are your plans? Is Christmas Dinner as we know it on the way out or am I just a bit odd?

SofiaL

There's nothing odd about wanting to save money during Christmas. January doesn't have to be that dreadful month, besides, there may well be plenty of British households already not having turkey because let's be honest, some dislike it, some don't care for tradition, others might enjoy something else/want to try something new.
If you can't afford it this year and don't mind a curry, why not?
(Like DD I'm of a younger generation, these things might make perfect sense to us and sound strange to someone else! 🙂)

HampshireH

We will be having turkey crown but I have a friend who has always had Christmas Curry. That's their traditions they love it!

Tradition is what you make it for you

unforeseen

Haven't had turkey for about 25 years. It's grossly overrated as far as I'm concerned. Chicken has more/better flavour. 

tealady

I'm veggie so no.
Might have a curry though.

Abbafan1972

In the past yes we’ve had a curry on Christmas Day at home and then gone out for Boxing Day (I know this is not really money saving but I begrudge paying Christmas Day prices of £50+ each!). 

I am at the stage where I’m not really bothered about Christmas and traditions. It’s overrated and this expectation to spend more than you can afford just gives me palpitations (I don’t btw). 

This year we are going to my parents for Christmas Day - my Mom is cooking.  Don’t want to sound ungrateful but my Mom’s roast dinners are not the best. My daughter will help as she’s very good with cooking. My Mom just never seems to do enough either (hubby moans about this). You end up with like 2 pieces of broccoli, 3 potatoes etc. Hubby always says he’s still hungry later on. 

On Boxing Day we are booked for the Harvester. 

We do plan on going away for Christmas in a couple years. 

TripleH

We had turkey last year but only because we had people over.

Before then, I hadn't had turkey in years.

We have cut back a lot on meat consumption. There are alternatives to turkey, choose something nice that 'you and your family' would enjoy.

For my Christmas in Oz, I had a stir fry with sprouts in.

elsien

Haven’t thought about it yet but even if there’s only two of us I do still like a tradition bit of turkey.
Probably get a crown, it is only once a year after all.

Pollycat

We've not had turkey for over 30 years.
We don't like the taste.
We alternate between beef or pork.
I but a large joint - there's only 2 of us - but it makes lots of meat for the freezer.
We have lots of veg so the meat goes a long way.
We will still be doing the same this year.

Silvertabby

Have already pre-ordered our turkey from M&S.  Will be enough left over to make a huge curry, some for boxing day and portions for freezing.

No sprouts, though.  We prefer broccoli.

MrsStepford

We never buy a whole turkey or turkey crown. Sometimes we roast turkey drumsticks for cold turkey slices. 

Price rises for turkey, duck, goose etc are due to avian flu outbreaks and restrictions. 30-35% of free range turkeys have had to be culled. Gressingham ducks and geese  have been badly affected.