Sydney man shares strategy for affording $800 Christmas feast

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 07:13 · Archive

A Sydney father finds ways to manage his $800 Christmas Day food bill by buying non-perishables on special throughout the year.

Cost of living pressures are forcing Australians to rethink their Christmas spending. Shadey Halawe, a Sydney father-of-five, typically spends up to $800 on food and drink alone for Christmas Day, serving dishes such as prawns, lamb shanks, roast potatoes and trifle. This year he is adopting a more strategic approach to manage the expense.

Halawe says his family considers Christmas 'a very big deal' and they 'always go all out', catering for around 12 people including his five children aged between seven and 18. Despite cost of living pressures continuing to mount, he wants to maintain the tradition of a memorable festive meal.

His strategy involves buying non-perishable items when they go on special throughout the year and planning several weeks in advance to spread the cost out rather than absorbing it all at once. 'We've been very mindful of when things are on special and if it is something that isn't perishable, we've been buying it at that time,' he said.

How it is being reported

• Sydney man who spends $800 on Christmas spread reveals hackFrom stockpiling to bargain hunting, Aussies are becoming more strategic about their Christmas Day spreads.The West Australian · 14 Nov, 06:47
• Sydney man who spends $800 on Christmas spread reveals hackFrom stockpiling to bargain hunting, Aussies are becoming more strategic about their Christmas Day spreads.Perth Now · 14 Nov, 06:47

In this story: Shadey Halawe · Sydney

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