Planning a cheap and easy Christmas lunch menu doesn’t mean sacrificing tradition or flavour—it’s all about smart choices and thoughtful preparation. With the right menu, you can create a festive atmosphere that not only impresses your guests but also smooths over any awkward family moments. After all, a well-fed crowd is a happy crowd, and good food has a way of making even the most challenging relatives more bearable!
10 Genius Hacks for a Cheap and Easy Christmas Lunch That Everyone Will Love!
Hosting a Christmas lunch doesn’t have to drain your wallet or leave you frazzled. With a little creativity and planning, you can serve up a delicious, cheap, and easy Christmas lunch that’s as festive as it is stress-free.
Did Someone Say Ham? An Economical Star for Your Easy Christmas Lunch
For many, the traditional Christmas menu is the highlight of the year, and no dish embodies the festive season quite like a perfectly cooked Christmas ham. It’s not just a crowd-pleaser but also an incredibly economical choice for your cheap and easy Christmas lunch.
To ensure the best flavour and quality, start planning early. Order your ham from a reputable butcher who makes their own or sources top-quality hams. Pick it up close to Christmas Day, or rest assured that a plastic-wrapped ham will store beautifully in your fridge until needed. If you need a budget option, buy the best you can afford from the supermarket.
There’s nothing more festive than the aroma of a big leg of ham roasting slowly in the oven, ready to take centre stage at lunch. Plus, ham is a gift that keeps on giving. After your Christmas meal, the leftovers can stretch for days—think ham sandwiches, hearty ham and egg breakfasts, and even a delicious ham and egg quiche. Don’t forget to save the ham bone for a rich pea and ham soup to savour later.
Here are my best insider tips to make your Christmas ham the ultimate feature of your easy and economical Christmas lunch!
Turkey Made Simple: Stress-Free Tips for an Easy Christmas Lunch
Cooking the turkey is often seen as one of the most stressful parts of the festive season, but it doesn’t have to be! With a little preparation and the right approach, turkey can seamlessly fit into your easy Christmas lunch.
Let’s face it—there’s always a lot riding on the turkey. High expectations from family members (who rarely hold back their opinions), combined with the challenge of cooking in Australia’s sweltering Christmas heat, can make it feel daunting. But with the right strategy, you can create a show-stopping centrepiece without the stress.
While some swear by buying a fresh turkey, I prefer to save money by using a frozen turkey that I brine myself. Frozen turkeys are significantly cheaper, and my brining method ensures they’re full of flavour, perfectly moist, and wonderfully succulent. It’s an economical and foolproof solution for nailing the turkey every time.
Turn this traditional dish into a stress-free and affordable star for your cheap and easy Christmas lunch and impress the family without breaking a sweat! Here are my 10 best tips.
A Budget-Friendly Star for Your Easy Christmas Lunch – The Perfect Pork Roast
A pork roast is a fantastic and economical alternative for your Christmas feast, offering rich flavour and plenty of opportunities to impress. If you’re keeping an eye on your budget, pick up a pork roast on sale in the lead-up to Christmas—it’s a cost-effective way to serve a delicious centrepiece without breaking the bank.
In my house, the crackling is always the star of the show, with everyone fighting for the crispiest pieces. To make your roast truly unforgettable, I’ve included my secret tips for achieving the ultimate crackling in this recipe –The secret to perfect pork crackling
Pair your perfectly roasted pork with simple sides and enjoy a hassle-free, easy Christmas lunch that’s sure to delight the entire family!
Christmas Pudding: The Ultimate Easy Christmas Lunch Dessert
Christmas pudding is a timeless tradition and the perfect way to serve a crowd with minimal effort. Paired with your favourite custard, ice cream, or brandy sauce, it’s a dessert that everyone can enjoy. The best part? It can be made well ahead of time, stored in your fridge, and simply reheated on the day—keeping your easy Christmas lunch stress-free.
This recipe makes preparing a Christmas pudding simple and foolproof. My friend Mandy, who creates 20 of these each year as gifts, swears by it. Her secret? Cooking the pudding in a slow cooker for even, gentle heat that ensures perfect results every time. Plan ahead, follow Mandy’s advice, and let your Christmas pudding shine as a standout dish in your easy Christmas lunch menu!
Try making this Easy Christmas Pudding . If that’s too hard, you can always buy one!
Christmas Breakfast or Dessert?
When planning a big Christmas lunch, it’s smart to keep breakfast light—but that doesn’t mean it can’t be special. Enter the Watermelon Cake – a fresh, fruity, and fun alternative to traditional sweets. Perfect for a hot and sticky Christmas Day, it’s the cake you enjoy when you’re not having cake! This vibrant treat doubles as a refreshing breakfast or a show-stopping dessert, making it versatile for your easy Christmas lunch menu. Packed with natural goodness, it’s also perfect for a cheap and easy Christmas lunch and simple to prepare. Serve it chilled and adorned with seasonal fruits, whipped cream, or yoghurt for a cool and colourful addition to your Christmas celebrations! In season at Christmas, watermelon is a great buy for an easy budget Christmas lunch.
A Trifle Twist: The Ultimate Easy Budget Christmas Lunch Dessert
Trifle is a crowd-pleaser and one of the easiest desserts to whip up for Christmas lunch, especially if plum pudding isn’t your style—or why not combine the two? This trifle recipe is a standout, with a touch of rum and chocolate for an indulgent twist. Of course, you can customise the flavours to suit your taste, making it as unique as your holiday table.
The best part? This easy Christmas lunch dessert can be made a couple of days in advance, giving the flavours time to meld into something truly delicious. Any leftovers store beautifully in the fridge and make for a delightful Boxing Day treat. Simple, festive, and stress-free, trifle is a perfect choice for your holiday celebrations!
Here is my Easy Baileys Cherry Trifle recipe.
Bombe Alaska: A Christmas Dessert with Style
If you want to truly impress your guests this Christmas, a Bombe Alaska is the ultimate showstopper. Picture their faces lighting up as you flambé this spectacular dessert—it’s a moment to remember! This recipe is surprisingly easy to make yet delivers a dramatic finish, making it the perfect Christmas dessert with style. With its layers of cake, ice cream, and toasted meringue, it’s a festive treat that’s as delicious as it is dazzling. Add a touch of flair to your celebrations and make this unforgettable dessert the highlight of your cheap and easy Christmas lunch table!
Remember the Rum Balls
That moment of anticipation, as the first rum ball of the season melts in your mouth, is truly special. For me, it’s a family tradition made from my grandmother’s cherished recipe. These rum balls are named after my father, who had a sweet tooth and a love for rum—so what better treat than one that combines the two?
Rum balls are a perfect Christmas dessert with style, not just for their rich flavour but also for their convenience. You can make them well ahead, easing your holiday workload. They store wonderfully in the fridge—if you can keep them hidden long enough! (Pro tip: stash them in the vegetable crisper.) These little bites of joy are a festive must-have, bringing tradition and indulgence to your holiday table.
Gingerbread House 101
There’s something magical about combining sweets, creativity, and quality time to make and decorate a gingerbread house. Best of all, you get to eat your masterpiece in the end! Whether you bake the gingerbread pieces yourself or opt for an economical, ready-made kit, there’s no judgment here—just festive fun.
A gingerbread house is the perfect Christmas dessert with style, especially for post-lunch indulgence. After polishing off the ham, turkey, and seafood, gather around, switch on a silly Christmas movie (my favourite is Love Actually, especially Hugh Grant’s iconic dance scene!), and relax with this sweet and satisfying tradition.
Here’s how to create your own gingerbread house and add a touch of edible creativity to your holiday celebrations! How to make a gingerbread house – Eat drink and be Kerry
Cut the Christmas Cake Without a Crumble
Christmas cake is a holiday classic that keeps on giving. It goes a long way because it’s sliced into small, rich pieces, making it ideal for sharing when friends or family drop by unexpectedly. It’s also a fantastic late-night snack or an easy treat to pull out of the cupboard—convenient, delicious, and festive. I like to buy a Lions Christmas cake and give it extra flavour by brushing it with rum!
Cutting a Christmas cake without it crumbling can be tricky, especially since it’s a once-a-year skill! Here’s how to master the art and keep your slices looking perfect:
- Use a serrated blade, like a bread knife, and cut with a gentle sawing motion.
- Avoid pushing the knife straight down to prevent crumbling.
- Ensure you cut all the way to the bottom for clean slices.
- Wipe the knife with a damp cloth between cuts to keep it clean.
- Check for any decorations or piping that might hold the cake to the board before slicing.
- Slide the knife under each slice to lift it neatly away.
With these tips, you’ll have picture-perfect slices to serve, making your Christmas cake a standout Christmas dessert with style.
More Ways to Enjoy a Cheap and Easy Christmas Lunch
- To keep costs down this Christmas, opt for fresh, seasonal ingredients. Stone fruits like cherries, peaches, and plums make vibrant additions to desserts or salads, while classic veggies such as potatoes, carrots, and green beans create delicious and economical sides. Shopping for what’s in season not only saves money but also ensures your dishes are full of flavour.
- When it comes to the main protein, think outside the box. Instead of splurging on an expensive turkey or ham, consider a smaller roast, chicken, or even a budget-friendly seafood option like mussels or prawns bought in bulk. These alternatives can be just as festive and satisfying while being kinder to your wallet.
- Why not make it a potluck? Sharing the load—and the cost—can make Christmas entertaining far easier. Ask guests to bring a dish and provide a theme or categories, like sides, desserts, or drinks, to ensure the meal stays balanced and varied.
- For starters, keep it simple and affordable. A no-cook cheese platter with supermarket specials or DIY bruschetta using day-old bread, fresh tomatoes, and basil makes an elegant and stress-free way to begin your meal.
- Go light on desserts with budget-friendly options that still feel indulgent. A trifle, pavlova, or even a simple ice-cream bar topped with crushed candy canes or fresh fruit are all crowd-pleasers that won’t blow your budget.
- Batch-cooked sides are both practical and economical. Roasted vegetables, potato bakes, and pasta salads can be prepared in bulk, saving you time and money while ensuring everyone has plenty to enjoy.
- Don’t forget to plan for leftovers. A little foresight can go a long way in reducing waste and extending your Christmas feast. Roast meats are perfect for sandwiches, while salads and veggies can easily transform into a Boxing Day frittata.
- For decorations and table settings, skip the expensive store-bought items and get creative with natural touches. Eucalyptus sprigs, pinecones, and homemade paper crafts can add festive charm without costing a fortune.
- Simplify your drinks menu by offering one or two signature options, like a Christmas punch or spiced sangria, instead of a fully stocked bar. Enhance the festive feel with thoughtful garnishes like frozen berries or fresh mint sprigs.
- Finally, shop early and smart. Take advantage of holiday sales and bulk-buy specials in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Stock up on non-perishables and frozen goods at discounted prices to ease the financial strain and make your budget-friendly celebration stress-free.
Enjoy the festive season with a cheap and easy Christmas lunch and joyful moments!
Just memorize it!
I’m going to have to get the 7th deadly sin tattooed to my hand to remember #whatmoderation