Christmas Food Shop Price Comparison 2025: Aldi, Lidl, Tesco & Asda
Christmas is always a time when food bills swell: with turkeys, pigs in blankets, mince pies and all the trimmings, a festive shop can cost a small fortune. In 2025, with food inflation still biting, choosing the right supermarket could make a real difference. In this blog we will save you time and compare what you can expect to pay for a typical festive shop at Aldi, Lidl, Tesco and Asda!
Price Trends & Context in 2025
- Grocery inflation has risen to 5.2 % in October 2025, with steep increases especially in chocolate, meat and coffee.
- According to Which?, in September 2025, a basket of 71 items cost on average £122.77 at Aldi, £123.95 at Lidl, £135.64 at Tesco (with Clubcard), and £136.98 at Asda.
- Aldi has often held the “cheapest supermarket” crown in 2025, especially when comparing core items.
- However, for bigger shops involving many branded products (which discounters may not carry), Asda sometimes becomes more competitive.
So, while Aldi and Lidl tend to win on basic staples and core festive items, the picture isn’t totally straightforward once you include specialty items, alcohol (if you were to include that), or premium brands.
What Does a “Festive Shop” Include?
- A medium turkey or turkey crown
- Stuffing
- Pigs in blankets
- Vegetables (e.g. carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts)
- Christmas pudding or dessert
- Mince pies
- Crackers, cranberry sauce, gravy
- A selection chocolate / festive treats
SHOP MINCE PIES COMPARISON
Comparison: Aldi vs Lidl vs Tesco vs Asda
Below is a comparative look across various cost categories and what shoppers should watch out for in 2025.
🎄 Christmas Food Shop Price Comparison 2025
🛒 Supermarket Category Comparison: Christmas Food Shopping 2025
| Category | Advantage / Notes | Risks / Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Staples & Basics (potatoes, carrots, bread, milk, flour etc) | Aldi and Lidl generally have lowest unit costs for basic produce and vegetables | Aldi/Lidl may have more limited variety or less premium ranges |
| Meat & Poultry (turkey, crown, etc.) | Deep discounters often run aggressive promotions approaching Christmas | Smaller weight ranges or limited premium cuts |
| Festive “Extras” (pigs in blankets, stuffing mixes, novelty items) | Tesco and Asda may offer more variety and seasonal lines | Premium branded “luxury” lines may carry a steep markup |
| Confectionery & Chocolates | Lidl occasionally undercuts rivals on classic tins (e.g. tubs of Quality Street) | Premium or imported chocolates may not always be available in Lidl / Aldi |
| Loyalty & Discounts / Card Pricing | Tesco’s Clubcard and loyalty discounts can narrow the gap; Lidl Plus gives periodic offers | Not all discounts are widely available; some deals are time-limited or in-store only |
| Branded & Specialty Items | Tesco / Asda likely to be stronger when you want branded goods or specialty products | Higher margin / markup on premium / niche items |
Key Insight: For the core items most households will rely on, Aldi and Lidl are extremely competitive in 2025. But once you stray into premium lines, niche ingredients or big name brands, Tesco or Asda may win on availability, though generally at a higher price.
Illustrative Example: Christmas Dinner Cost
To give a rough illustration, imagine a simple Christmas dinner for 4 people (turkey, trimmings, pudding, veg). If discounters keep to pattern:
- Aldi / Lidl might offer a full set of these basics for £30–£40 (or lower under promotion).
- Tesco / Asda could easily push that to £45–£60+ depending on promotions, premium items or brand choices.
A past comparison in Scotland put a full essential festive basket at £32.54 in Aldi, compared to £38.76 in Tesco or £38.89 in Asda for similar items. Of course, regional differences, promotion timing, and stock availability will shift those numbers.
Tips to Save on Your 2025 Christmas Shop
- Plan & freeze early. Buying turkeys, vegetables or baked goods before peak time often gives better discounts.
- Track loyalty offers. Use Tesco’s Clubcard, Lidl Plus, Asda’s rollback deals: sometimes the “price cut” is in the small print.
- Mix discounter + big name. Use Aldi or Lidl for staples and basic items; reserve Tesco/Asda for items they uniquely offer.
- Stock up on multipacks or offers. Seasonal multi-buy deals (e.g. mince pies, chocolate boxes) may offer better per-unit cost.
- Shop around per item. Don’t assume your “usual” supermarket is best on everything: sometimes the cheapest Christmas pudding might be elsewhere.
- Be flexible on brands. If you’re willing to trade the premium label, the savings can be significant.
Christmas Recipes from UK Supermarkets
Click any recipe card below to view ingredients and servings per recipe.
Aldi Christmas Pudding – serves 8
Aldi’s Classic Christmas Pudding
- 150g raisins
- 100g currants
- 50g chopped almonds
- 100ml brandy
- 100g dark brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 100g suet or butter
Soak fruit overnight in brandy, mix all ingredients, steam for 4 hours. Serve with custard or cream.
See more Aldi Christmas Recipes →
Lidl lemon & thyme Roast turkey –serves 4
Lidl’s Honey Roast Parsnips
- 500g parsnips
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Roast parsnips in oil for 25 mins, drizzle with honey, roast 10 more mins until golden.
See more Lidl Christmas Recipes →
TESCO Mulled White wine cheesecake- serves 12
Tesco’s Turkey with Cranberry Gravy
- 1 turkey (approx. 4kg)
- 1 onion, quartered
- Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary)
- 250ml cranberry juice
- 2 tbsp plain flour
Roast turkey as usual, deglaze pan with cranberry juice and flour for rich gravy.
See more Tesco Christmas Recipes →
Aldi Ultimate Roast Potatoes – serves 6
Conclusion
In 2025, the Christmas food shop remains a major burden on household budgets. But the good news is that Aldi and Lidl continue to lead the way for value on core festive essentials. Tesco and Asda can still make sense if you want variety, premium items, or branded goods. So, with the right plan and some cracking recipes, you are good to go for a stress free Christmas day!
HAPPY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!
