Christmas Supermarket Specials Compared 2025: Aldi, Lidl, Tesco & Sainsbury’s
Its that time of the year again: the shopping lists are out, the recipe books are on the kitchen table. Your planning Christmas dinners, hosting festive gatherings and looking for the best prices which aren't going to add on massively to an already expensive time of the year. There are so many choices for your Christmas shop, so we've made it super easy: Keep reading for Christmas food shop comparisons so that you can make the best choice and have the 'Most wonderful time of the year!'
Aldi
What they’re offering:
- Aldi’s Christmas section emphasises “amazing value” while covering the full spread of festive essentials: turkeys, mains, desserts, baking and more.
- Their “Specially Selected” line features premium-ish items (e.g., a show‑stopping dessert range priced at £7.99) aimed at making the festive meal feel more special without breaking the bank.
- Regular “Specialbuys” drop in store for seasonal food / wrap / craft which can bring bonus value.
- Strong value for money: Aldi aims to keep prices low but still offer special festive items.
- Good for the main Christmas dinner essentials: turkey, sides, dessert, plus bits for baking and indulgence.
- The premium line (Specially Selected) gives a middle ground between budget and luxury.
Cons:
- Since it’s value‑driven, some of the strongest discounts or premium finishes might be a step behind more expensive rivals.
- Stock might be more limited in some stores given high demand for certain seasonal items.
Lidl
What they’re offering:
- Lidl’s “More to Value This Christmas” campaign emphasises more sharing, more indulgence, and more value: from turkeys to side dishes to desserts and chocolates.
- Their food & drink section includes party food, mains, desserts in a dedicated “Christmas Food & Drink” area.
- They also run a “Christmas Calendar” with in‑store dates for when special items drop (such as advent calendars, decorations) which helps plan ahead.
Pros:
- Strong for festive treats and party food: if you’re hosting or want extra indulgence, Lidl is good for that.
- Good value as well, with a bit more of a “treat” feel than pure budget stores.
- The calendar drop system means you can plan to catch special lines when they hit shelves.
Cons:
- Because of timed drops and special ranges, some items may go fast or not be available in all stores.
- The breadth of choices might be slightly less than the biggest chains in terms of premium mains or large range.
Recommendation tip: If you’re looking for great value + a few special festive items (desserts, party food) and you’re comfortable catching when items go on sale, Lidl offers a strong balance.
Tesco
What they’re offering:
- Tesco’s 2025 “Christmas Shop” covers food, drinks, gifts, decorations and more.
- Their “Festive Food to Order” range allows pre‑ordering of special mains (turkey, lamb, etc), desserts, hampers.
- They provide special promotional deals via their loyalty programme (Clubcard) and there are clear “top picks” for festive veg and sides to keep the cost down.
- Very wide range: from standard budget items up to premium mains and desserts: good if you want to mix and match.
- Pre‑order options for those who want to guarantee centrepieces for their Christmas dinner.
- Loyalty/Clubcard system can make a difference if you shop there often.
Cons:
- Might not always offer the lowest base prices compared to the discount‑oriented chains.
- More “middle to upper” range items may cost significantly more if you go for premium.
Recommendation tip: If you want a big choice, want to cover everything in one place (food + drinks + décor) and are comfortable using pre‑order and loyalty to maximise savings, Tesco is a strong all‑rounder.
Sainsbury’s
What they’re offering:
- Sainsbury’s “Step into Christmas 2025” campaign highlights starters, mains, fresh & frozen turkey, sides, desserts.
- Their “Stock up for the season” messaging emphasises earlier shopping for mince pies, drinks and more to spread cost.
- They have a dedicated “Food to Order” section online (turkeys, beef/lamb/pork, desserts & cheese) for more premium festive choices.
Pros:
- Good for planning ahead and spreading costs: their “stock up” approach is useful if you want to avoid last‑minute rushes and price spikes.
- Offers a decent mix between everyday value and special occasion items.
- Strong on choice of mains and special items for the dinner itself (cheeses, desserts).
Cons:
- Possibly not the lowest cost option in the budget‑supermarket space.
- The special ordering / premium section may carry a premium price tag.
Recommendation tip: If you like to plan ahead, spread your spending, and mix some premium items with normal shopping (rather than go full discount or full premium), Sainsbury’s gives a balanced option.
| Supermarket | Example Deal | Notes/Context |
|---|---|---|
| Aldi | Whole British fresh turkey from £21.99 (5.4‑7.2 kg). “Specially Selected” desserts from £7.99. | Lowest-cost centrepiece; premium “Specially Selected” range available; limited stock on special items. |
| Lidl | Value Christmas dinner for six around £8.85; turkeys ~£2.99/kg. | Strong value, good for festive treats/party food; stock may be limited on special items. |
| Tesco | Bundled Christmas dinner for six ~£11.05 (Clubcard); fresh turkey thigh joint 1.25kg £6.60. | Wide choice, loyalty benefits, pre-order available; not always the lowest base price. |
| Sainsbury’s | “Taste the Difference” free-range turkey crowns 1.5‑1.99kg £24‑£31.84; small fresh turkey £13.50. | Premium & value ranges; more expensive for high-end items; good planning for spread-out cost. |
Verdict: Which is best for you?
Here’s a quick “which‑supermarket should you go for” summary depending on your priorities:
- Best for budget conscious full‑feast → Aldi
- Best for value plus festive treats / party food → Lidl
- Best for all‑in‑one range + loyalty benefits + pre‑order guarantees → Tesco
- Best for planning ahead + balanced premium/everyday mix → Sainsburys
If we were to pick a single winner purely for the best value festive food shop- we'd give a slight edge to Lidl (for value plus treats) or Aldi (for lowest cost feast). But if you factor in convenience, choice and ability to guarantee your centrepieces, Tesco and Sainsbury’s shine.
