Food prices are up on last year, but money-saving experts say it's possible to have a festive feast this Christmas without blowing the budget.
The cost of food is up 1.1 per cent from this time last year and 26.7 per cent compared to five years ago.
Potato prices rose by eight per cent last month, so potatoes will be an expensive option for salad. A green salad will be fairly cheap as lettuce is down almost 40 per cent and tomatoes down 30 per cent in October.
But sticking to a Christmas barbecue lunch could be the way to go, as fruit, vegetables, ham and sausages are all cheaper than last year.
Jackie Gower, of the Simple Savings website, said there were ways to keep the costs of Christmas meals down without scrimping on fun or flavour.
Top of her list is asking guests to bring a plate to share the costs out.
"We are really lucky here in New Zealand as it is a part of our culture to bring a plate. When I first moved here I was asked to bring a plate and I actually brought a plate," she said.
Take a sneaky trick from catering companies by serving the cheaper foods first such as the salads, vegetables, breads and pastas.
Mrs Gower said this could be done discreetly, and it also encouraged people to fill up on healthy salads instead of meat and more expensive items.
"When you are working in the kitchen, prepare the salads first and then procrastinate when cutting the meat," Mrs Gower said.
"You can delay the expensive foods by sharpening the knife before cutting the meat, putting extra garnish on the meat, rearranging it on the plate so that it looks attractive or pretending to be baking the meat for just a bit longer.
"If you are having a buffet, lay out the table so that people reach the salads, potatoes and pastas first, and the turkey, ham and prawns last."
It might be too late for this year, but next year Mrs Gower advised buying extra non-perishable items in the weekly food shop leading up to Christmas to help even out the costs over a few weeks.
Tauranga Budget Advisory Service manager Marjorie Iliffe said Christmas didn't have to be expensive to be a special occasion.
"The idea would be to set a budget, plan the menu early, then buy the food when it comes on special.
"All the supermarkets run good specials in the lead-up to Christmas," she said.
"Tables could be made festive by simply decorating with tinsel or glitter, or greenery from the garden, and maybe a red candle or two."
How not to blow the budget at Christmas dinner
Have a barbecue. Save on the cost of meat by buying sausages and cheap steaks. Skip the lamb cuts, which have gone up in price.
Chicken is a much cheaper alternative than turkey, or choose inexpensive turkey drumsticks instead of a whole bird.
Shop on Christmas Eve to get Christmas goodies for cheap - you might be lucky enough to get 80 per cent off a leg of ham.
Use the professionals' tricks and serve the cheaper foods, such as salads and breads, before you put the expensive items out.
Stock up on non-perishable items from now until Christmas when you see them on special.
Don't be lazy and buy cheat foods. Convenience items like ready-washed potatoes are more expensive. Ready-to-eat foods have risen by almost three per cent in the last year.
Make your own punch to make the alcohol last longer.
Encourage the Kiwi tradition of bringing a plate. Allocate certain dishes to certain family members.
Have a shopping list and budget and do not get distracted by the bargains meant to entice you.
Always under-buy on drinks and chocolates, as you can almost count on it that your visitors will come bearing gifts of wine and chocolate.