A Brit has shared how he started his Christmas food prep nearly a year in advance and is nearly done with the full shop.
Al Baker, of Aldershot, Hampshire, is known for his savvy money-saving tactics, which include extreme planning for festive events that often drain your wallet.
The dad will be serving up two turkeys on Christmas Day, which he nabbed for just £12 and that have been sitting in his freezer since January, after he got them in a clearance sale.
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They are nestled next to a few yellow-sticker desserts for £4 that will serve as pudding on the big day and homemade Yorkshires.
Al admits that some people think he’s ”mad” for starting his meal prep so far ahead, but the 51-year-old says it allows him to spend a fraction of what he would otherwise have to shell out.
“I’ve spent about £30 so far, which has already covered the main items,” he told What’s The Jam.
“The turkey is the most expensive part of Christmas dinner, so that is the first thing I hunt for.
“I’ll be checking supermarkets, but also online options.
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“Last year, I found the £12 deal on Amazon Fresh – they were originally £80 each – which is not where most people think of looking.
“I actually bought three, but one of them went at Easter.
“That alone would normally cost me more than my whole Christmas budget, so it was a huge saving.
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“I also grabbed a few yellow-sticker desserts, which will cover puddings and sweet treats for Christmas Day.
“My dad bought several too.
“The only problem is my mum is still wondering when they are going to use them because their freezer is full, and she isn’t best pleased.
“I freeze Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes many months in advance as well.
“It’s not about buying absolutely everything a year early.
“However, having the meat, desserts and freezer-friendly sides already in hand takes the pressure off and significantly reduces the bill.
“People often look at me as if I’m a bit mad, but once I explain it, they see the logic.
“Some people I know have even finished their Christmas shopping by March, so I’m not the only one who thinks this way.
“With the cost of living as it is, it is just sensible.”
Al estimates that he saves around 75% with his pre-planning method, but there is one thing he’ll invest in closer to the big day: Vegetables.
While it might be risky, you’re best off waiting until right before Christmas Day to get the best deals.
And the dad also reveals what time of day you can expect to see yellow sticker deals hit the shelves.
He said: “Vegetables are often better bought fresh, and supermarkets deliberately slash prices on them right before Christmas.
“I’ve picked up a bag for as little as 9p, so I will wait for those.
“Yellow stickers are still worth it too, but it’s not as straightforward as it used to be.
“A few years back, you could set your watch by [when they would appear on shelves]; now it’s a bit more hit and miss.
“Supermarkets tend to offer smaller reductions in the mornings, a bit more in the afternoons, and then the bigger cuts usually occur somewhere between 4pm and 8pm, but it really depends on the store.
“It’s less about one magic time or day now and more about knowing your local store’s habits and being ready to grab the bargains when they pop up.
“Don’t be afraid to ask the staff members what time the reductions get done.
“I was a code checker (yellow sticker man) and had no problem telling people what time to aim for to get the best reductions, especially for those who I could see really needed those reduced items.”
Although Al, who used to work at Morrisons, is a big advocate for planning as much as possible, there are certain festive items that won’t drop much in price, such as the Roses or Celebrations boxes.
But if you budget accordingly – and look out for deals throughout the year – you can still enjoy them.
He said: “I just bought some Quality Street this past weekend as they were on a Clubcard deal, at £3.95.
“In my experience, they don’t go lower than that.
“I suspect they will rotate through the retailers this month, then go back up in price for November, and then likely have a short loyalty card deal again in early December.
“[Most likely, there will be] a less impressive deal closer to Christmas, as the retailers will be trying to squeeze as much money out of festive shoppers who impulsively just add them to the trolley and aren’t necessarily looking at prices as they are in the ‘Christmas buying frenzy mode’.
“So if you see them on a good offer now, buy them now, as it likely won’t get better!”
Al has shared some more money-saving hacks for the festive season that you can start doing now – either for Christmas 2025 or 2026.
He added: “Decide your menu before you go shopping so you only buy what you need.
“If you have freezer space, buy yellow-sticker bargains throughout the year.
“Or put a small amount of money aside each week instead.
“Even if you start now, £10 a week from today adds up to £120 by December.
“You could try a banking app with pots, like Monzo, which makes this easy.
“That money then sits there waiting for you when the festive season arrives.
“Cooking from scratch is another big saver.
“Yorkshire puddings cost pennies to make but £3 for six if you buy them.
“A trifle can be thrown together cheaply, while shop-bought versions can be £10 or more.
“In short, plan early, spend gradually, use your freezer wisely and keep the meal simple.
“People often go overboard, and the food waste levels at Christmas are shocking.”
