Holiday meals don’t have to be expensive. To protect themselves from galloping inflation, some people tell us their tips for saving.
Traditions are good, but you still need to have the means to follow them. To save money this year, Cassandra Sayegh-Smith has chosen to reduce certain rituals and bring back her practical spirit. Yes, it will be festive… and reasonable.
Mother of four children aged 6 months, 3 years, 8 years and 11 years, Cassandra celebrates Christmas three days in a row, in her family, her in-laws and at her home in Saint-Laurent.
She shares chores and costs for holiday meals, especially this year. “Everything has increased,” says the 36-year-old woman. Mortgage payments have gone up and like many people, we are being careful. »
This involves small changes this year. There will be no turkey on the menu. This business analyst follows meat discounts in big box stores and will concoct her holiday menu based on her findings.
“A large turkey can cost $70 without any extras,” she says. If I see lamb on sale, it could be lamb… Everyone likes it and it still makes fancy ! »
Freezing operation
She won’t buy logs: the ones she sees in stores seem tiny… and expensive! “We have big families,” she emphasizes, “that won’t work. I make my own logs and this year I will make four. »
The pig’s feet stew is already cooked. “I made it when ground beef and pork were on sale and froze it. A big freezer is practical! To seize the opportunities to buy meat at a discount, I believe it is a must. »
Cheap decorations
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Cassandra Sayegh-Smith with her four children and her partner. Behind them, the handmade snowflakes.
For table decoration, Cassandra does not plan anything special. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be a touch of magic. A few years ago, she invested a lot of time making snowflakes out of white paper: in total, she cut out 75!
“I had blisters on my fingers,” she confides. I’ve made them in all sizes. I hang them from the ceiling and reuse them year after year. The magic comes from high numbers. It looks really nice and didn’t cost much. It is children’s favorite decoration. »
Not a sacrifice
Despite the changes that come with holiday shopping and meal preparation, Cassandra doesn’t feel like she’s making any sacrifices. “In fact, having four children, I am used to making choices, to making decisions,” she comments. I don’t feel like I’m restricting myself, I rather think that we’re not big spenders or big consumers. »
In this sense, putting an end to certain traditions does not prevent him from sleeping. “I think that right now, to successfully save money, you have to cut your emotional attachment to traditions a little and follow the discounts. »