Woolworths, Coles and Aldi: Best spot for your Christmas shopping revealed

Ham, turkey, mince pies and potato salad — we can reveal the best spot to buy all your Christmas favourites and how to save $30 while you are at it.

Aldi is the spot to go to for a frugal Christmas this year with new analysis revealing shoppers are paying $28 more at Coles and $21 more at Woolworths for Christmas Day essentials.

A grocery basket of 14 essential items for a classic Christmas lunch, including bonbons, pasta and potato salads, mince pies, ham and fruit cake, for a family of eight would cost $118.17 at Aldi, $125.10 at Woolworths and $146.40 at Coles.

Christmas lunch costs revealed.

The research from Finder also found that 41 per cent of Australians were facing financial stress over their grocery spend — double the number that felt the crunch three years ago.

The traditional Christmas ham is the most expensive item of the day – with a double smoked variety at Aldi costing $12.99 per kg compared to $13.50 per kg at Coles and $12 per kg at Woolworths.

Roast turkey differed by as much as 25 per cent between the major chains while the cost of prawns at Coles was more than double than the offer at Aldi.

Personal finance expert Sarah Megginson encouraged people to make the most of sales and bargains this festive season.

“The pressure on households is greater this Christmas and many have to make the most of sales to keep a cap on food prices,“ she said.

“If you make a few tweaks to your spending habits it could help to ease any financial hangovers brought on by the festive season.

“Be prepared to shop around for the cheapest options and always check the price per unit so you are comparing like with like.”

Ms Megginson also urged shoppers to start their Christmas lunch shopping now.

Coles was the most pricey of the three chains.

“A large number of products on the list can actually be purchased now due to them being long-life items,” she said.

“Shopping well ahead of December 25 means you’re less likely to pay a premium.

“Give yourself more time to shop for sales – and only spend what you can afford.”