Create a classic Christmas dinner without spending a fortune

Updated Fri. Dec. 19 2008 7:56 AM ET

Carla Lucchetta, Special to CTV.ca

A century ago in our history, Christmas dinner was one of the few really special meals of the year. Families would save up their money so they could put a goose on the table, dressed up with sage stuffing, cranberries, plum pudding and fruit cake and shortbread for dessert. Only the most well to do families had turkey. Since then of course goose has given way to turkey (which feeds more, and is now less expensive) and it's not just over the holidays that families splurge on extravagant meals. In these recessionary times, however, when everyone is looking at ways they can cut back, getting back to basics looks like a really good idea.

Elizabeth Baird, executive editor of Canadian Living and co-editor of The Complete Christmas Book, recommends divvying up time, resources, and cooking as the best way to enjoy the holidays and also save money. "Sharing is really the spirit of Christmas," she says.

Here are some tips for creating a wonderful dinner, without spending a fortune.

1. Planning and budgeting are the keys to an economical yet memorable Christmas dinner. Devise a budget and menu based on the number of friends and family at your table Christmas day.

2. Shop early; look for sales, comparison shop. If you see a deal, buy it. Chipping away a little at a time on your list means you won't blow your budget all at once and you're more likely to find the items you need on sale. Most items, with the exception of produce, can be bought ahead. Your local market is the best place to pick up fresh, in season produce. Most are open on Christmas Eve and, depending on your neighbourhood, Christmas Day.

3. Bring a list, buy only what you need. It's nice to have left over turkey, it's not always necessary to roast a 20 lb turkey. Elizabeth Baird says, "A 14 or 16 lb turkey is all you need to feed a party of twelve. Most supermarkets and budget store chains carry excellent turkeys."

4. Don't be tempted by the lovely holiday packaging on items like appetizers, special chocolates or desserts. Making them from scratch is not only cheaper, it's more wholesome. This includes stuffing and gravy.

5. The host family should take care of the turkey and stuffing, but invite guests to bring side dishes. Elizabeth says, "It creates a nice memory and tradition when each family member becomes known for their special dish." Or why not make the whole dinner a buffet to optimize the pot-luck opportunity and variety while cutting down the cost.

6. Check prices of other poultry and meat and consider ham, chicken, roast beef or pork.

7. Home made desserts are less expensive. Chances are you already have many of the ingredients on hand, and even if you have to stock up on a few, they'll serve you in your pantry longer than baked goods will. Making your own desserts also means you control the portions and amounts of sugar, fat and salt. Elizabeth says, "Home baking is cheaper and results in higher quality treats. It's also an activity that can involve the whole family."

8. It's not necessary to overdo it on the desserts. It could just be one special, once-a-year item like a minced pie or a cookie recipe handed down and presented only at the holidays. Ask guests to bring an original heirloom cake, pie or cookie batch. Each guest can tell the story of the origin of the recipe. Cake can be cut into bite sized pieces to stretch further, but also to give guests a taste to leave room for other goodies. While you've got the rolling pin out, consider making extra for gifts.

9. Serve punch or Sangria, they stretch further than a bottle of wine or champagne. Or you can ask your guests to bring their own booze.

10. Using your own dishes is cheaper that buying plastic or paper plates. Now is a good time to break out your Grandma's hand-me-down serving dishes. They'll add the warmth and elegance and remind you of simpler times when the meal, and not the gifts, was the focal point of the holidays. When you're guests ask if you need help cleaning up, surprise them by saying yes!

11. Visit a dollar store for table decorations like Christmas crackers and holiday napkins. You only use them once a year, so why splurge?

Elizabeth Baird's traditional Christmas dinner menu designed to share the spirit of the holidays:

Appetizer:

• Shrimp ring - available at supermarkets or discount grocery chains
• Sausage rolls - home made is less expensive and you control portions
• Crackers and dip - contributed by guests

Main Dish:

• Turkey (14 or 16 lbs) - some people think the smaller the turkey the less meaty the breasts, but a medium sized bird has sufficient meat

Stuffing:

• Old fashioned sage stuffing - with simple ingredients of butter, onions, bread and spices. Easy to make, easy on the pocket book, you can buy butter on sale and freeze it until ready to use

Condiments:

• Cranberries - make your own
• Gravy - make your own

Vegetables:

• Brussel sprouts - in season
• Mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes - ask your guests to bring one each. They can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for at least two days.

Dessert:

• Carrot Pudding - less expensive than traditional plum pudding
• Various cookies - made by guests - shortbread, gingerbread

Beverage:

• Punch - or ask guests to bring their own drinks

Elizabeth Baird`s money-is-no-object, extravagant traditional Christmas menu:

Appetizers:

• Lobster salad
• Oysters on the half shell - from Rocky Bay or Raspberry Point, PEI

Main Dish:

• Goose - just remember it serves less than a turkey
• Crown Roast of Pork
• Whole ham, bone-in
• Roast Prime Rib

Stuffing:

• Shallot sausage stuffing - a variation on the traditional

Condiments:

• Cranberries flavoured with port or orange liqueur
• Gravy flavoured with red wine, rye or bourbon

Veggies:

• Rutabaga Apple bake
• Sweet potato strudel

Dessert:

• Plum pudding made with lexia or muscat raisins, with butterscotch brandy sauce
• Various cookies, cakes and pies - made to share.

Drinks:

• Wine, champagne, or sparkling wine

** All recipes and recipe ideas can be found in The Complete Christmas Book, or at www.canadianliving.com

Elizabeth Baird's new book is The Complete Canadian Living Baking Book, a recommendation on ctv.ca's The Big List of Books for Holiday Shopping.