Christmas 2025

It seems we just finished up Thanksgiving and now Christmas is here! All the shopping for gifts and decorating of the tree can bring much stress to what should be a joyous time of year. This time of year becomes even more stressful when you look at the cost of groceries as you contemplate your Christmas dinner. 

For as far back as I can remember we have always had some kind of a beef roast at Christmas time. I am going to try my best to give you some old and some new ideas for your Christmas holiday celebration - one that hopefully won’t require you to take out a second mortgage on your house.

Like I did with the Thanksgiving Dinner article, let’s start with some sides (all prices from Walmart unless otherwise stated).

SIDES

Green Bean Casserole
for my family, no holiday is complete without it. $3.45 (you can look at the Thanksgiving page linked above for more details.)

Creamed Spinach 
10oz bag frozen spinach thawed and drained of as much liquid as possible ($1.24)
2 tablespoons margarine/butter *
2 minced garlic cloves *
1/2 cup heavy cream (or you can whole milk for a lighter sauce version *)  ($2.96 from Walmart)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (2.5oz bottle $1.25 from Dollar Tree)
Salt and pepper to taste *

To make: melt your margarine/butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted add your garlic and saute it for 1 minute. Add your cream/milk and bring to a gentle simmer. Add your spinach (which you may need to tough chop) and stir. Add your cheese, salt and pepper. Allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring often. It will thicken and become creamy when finished.

To make this extra rich you could add a tablespoon of cream cheese when you add the cream.

My Hubby’s Families Scalloped Corn
1 can creamed corn (14.75oz can for .76¢)
1 egg *
About ⅓ cup sour cream (8oz container for $1.24)
½ cup cheddar cheese (8oz bag shredded for $1.97)
12ish saltine crackers (used to bind this together so if you need more or less that's fine) (8oz box for $1.25 from Dollar Tree or 16oz box for $1.84 from Walmart)

To make: start by lightly greasing an 8”x8” casserole dish. Dump everything into a bowl and mix before adding it to the casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes or till golden brown.

If you desire you can add more cheese to the top of this when about 15 minutes remains.

Note: this recipe is easily adjustable. You can add a second can of creamed corn or regular corn if you desire. I would probably increase the sour cream by a ¼ cup per additional can as well as a few more saltines. And of course you can always add more cheese if you desire.

Roasted Carrots
1-2lbs. fresh carrots - I like to use baby carrots (1lb package $1.37)
1-2 tablespoons olive oil *
Salt and pepper to taste *
Optional: you can add additional things like parsley, thyme and/or rosemary, garlic or honey - I like honey (1-2 tablespoons and a little thyme, something like ¼-½ teaspoon. *)

To make: wash and peel your regular carrots (all you need to do is wash the baby carrots if that's what you decide to use.) Cut your regular carrots in ½” thickness rounds (again most baby carrots won't need to be cut just the biggest of them - you just want them uniform in size for even cooking. Place the carrots on a baking sheet and drizzle with oil, tossing to coat. Next sprinkle on salt and pepper as well as any additional spices or herbs you'd like. Arrange seasoned carrots in a single uncrowded way and put in a preheated 425 degree oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes only turning the carrots once halfway through their cook time. Baby carrots may take more or less time to cook, so keep an eye on them. You'll know when they are done when they are tender and slightly caramelized at the edges. If you desire, garnish with some honey before serving.

Sweet Potato Casserole
1 ½ pounds peeled sweet potatoes - cut into chunks (.82¢/lb)
¼ cup milk *
¼ cup brown sugar *
1 large egg *
½ teaspoon vanilla extract or flavoring (8oz bottle of flavoring $1.92 or 1oz bottle of extract $3.94)  
2 tablespoons margarine/butter melted *
⅓ teaspoon salt *

For topping: simply mix together until crumbly
½ cup flour (5lb bag for $2.38 from Walmart or 2lb bag for $1.25 from Dollar Tree)
½ cup brown sugar *
4 tablespoons margarine/butter melted *
½ cup pecans chopped (optional) (4oz bag for $3.47)

To make: put your prepared potatoes into a large pot and cover them with water. Bring this to a boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Drain them well before washing them until they are smooth. Drain well and mash until smooth. In a large bowl combine milk, margarine, sugar, egg, vanilla, salt and mashed sweet potatoes. Again mix till smooth. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.. In a large bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, milk, melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Mix until smooth. Spread into a greased 8”x 10” baking dish. Sprinkle the mixed together topping on top and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until set and golden brown.

For added sweetness you can add a handful or two of mini marshmallows to the top 10 minutes before it's done. (10oz bag for .97¢)

Dinner Rolls 12oz - 12ct brown and serve for $1.38)

POTATOES & GRAVY

My Mom’s Company Mashed Potatoes
12 servings mashed potatoes (follow the instructions on potato box but omit 1 cup of water) 9oz box for $1.26)
Add 8oz sour cream (8oz container for $1.24)
8oz cream cheese (8oz block for $1.56)
Dash of onion salt to the potatoes *

Mix well and pour into a greased 9x12 pan. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown on top.

Roasted Smashed Potatoes
1 ½ pounds small potatoes like Yukon gold or baby red (3lbs bag of yellow for $2.48 or 3lbs bag for $2.54)
2-3 tablespoons olive oil *
1 teaspoon salt (to taste) *
½ teaspoon black pepper *
½ teaspoon garlic powder *
½ teaspoon dried rosemary or thyme *
Optional: grated Parmesan cheese for topping and optional fresh chopped parsley for garnish (Parmesan bottle 2.5oz $1.25 from Dollar Tree)

To make: Wash your potatoes before adding them to a large pot and cover with cold water. Put a generous pinch of salt into the water. Bring your potatoes to a boil and cook them for 15-20 minutes or until they are fork tender. Drain your potatoes and set them aside to cool for 5-10 minutes to make for easier handling. Arrange them on a parchment lined baking sheet and gently press down, flattening each potato to about ½” in thickness using a glass or potato masher. Drizzle on your oil followed by your seasonings. If you are using Parmesan cheese, put it on and roast your potatoes in a preheated 425 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown and crisp around the edges. Once done, remove from the oven and garnish if using.

Note: if you would like your smashed potatoes extra crispy, flip them halfway through your cooking time. You can also add other toppings to your potatoes like crumbled bacon bites  (2.5oz bag for $1.94) or a dollop of sour cream (8oz container for $1.24).

Mashed Potatoes
4oz package instant mashed potato pouch $1.00 (makes 4-½ cup servings) made with water

9oz box of instant mashed potatoes $1.26 (makes 12-½ cup servings) made with water

5lb bag of russet potatoes $3.84 can be made simply with butter/margarine and milk or add other things like garlic powder, sour cream, salt, pepper, etc.

Gravy - package Pioneer Brown Gravy $1.25 from the Dollar Tree (it makes 2 cups of gravy) or Walmart has a brown gravy mix that makes 1 cup for .48¢) or get a 12oz jar of beef flavored gravy from Walmart for $1.47.

Or you can make your own Beef Gravy
2 cups low sodium beef broth (32oz carton for $1.50)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter/margarine *
2 tablespoons flour *
½ teaspoon garlic powder *
½ teaspoon onion powder *
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce *
Salt and black pepper to taste *

To make: melt your margarine in a saucepan over medium heat. Add your flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes. When it is golden and bubbly it is ready for your broth. Slowly add while again continuously whisking (this prevents lumps.) Add your seasonings and Worcestershire sauce while still whisking until it comes to a simmer. Let your gravy gently simmer for 3-5 minutes, frequently stirring, while it thickens.

Note: if you want a richer flavored gravy you can use a splash or two of heavy cream. If you want a darker colored gravy, simply cook the margarine/flour mixture (called a roux) a little longer before adding your broth. And finally you can add dried herbs, like rosemary or thyme, for extra flavor.

MEAT/MAIN

Although beef is expensive I'm going to start with a traditional beef roast before I move into some cheaper options.

Chuck Roast $6.99/lb with the average cost being $15.73 at Walmart.

Aldi's has a steakhouse seasoned chuck roast for $6.99/lb as well which might be a better option if you don't have a lot of spices and herbs on hand but like a seasoned roast. The average cost at Aldi’s is $16.43.

Note: the internet says to budget ½-1lb raw meat per person with 8ozs being the standard amount.

Both Walmart and Aldi’s offer beef roast kits. These come with vegetables like potatoes, carrots, celery and onion. They also have a seasoning packet included. But these kits are for a smaller family size.

Aldi's beef roast kit is $14.29. It has approximately 20ozs of meat in the kit.

Walmart has a little bit larger kit with about 32ozs of meat for $19.97

Now for some cheaper options - differently not traditional but…

18.5oz can of Progresso beef pot roast with veggies soup ($1.98) over instant mashed potato pouch $1.00 (makes 4-½ cup servings)

Or you could do a 20oz can of Dinty Moore ($3.57) and refrigerator biscuits - 10ct for .97¢

4.8oz El Monterrey steak, cheese and rice burrito for $1.50 from the Dollar General or you could do 32oz-8ct bag frozen beef and bean burritos for $3.82 (tho I do think they are ground beef)

Box of frozen country fried beef steak patties & gravy which has 5-4oz patties for $7.87

30oz box of Stouffer’s frozen beef enchiladas $9.84 - this claims to serve four people

Steak-umms from the Dollar Tree for $3.00 a box and make French dip sandwiches (6ct Ciabatta rolls for $3.98) served with a 1oz packet of au jus for .98¢

How about a 9oz Hormel Complete Dinner beef pot roast ($2.28) served over rice (1lb bag for .88¢ (brown rice) to .92¢ (white rice)

10oz package Hereford roast beef with gravy pouch ($4.02) served as a hot beef commercial sandwich with bread (20oz loaf for $1.42) and instant mashed potato pouch $1.00 (makes 4-½ cup servings). You may need an extra gravy packet (.87oz brown gravy packet for .48¢)

15oz Hormel Square Table Slow Simmered Beef Roast Au Jus and Savory Sauce $10.64 (says it will serve 3 with 5ozs meat and sauce)

7oz Banquet beef pot pie $1.00 or an 11oz Marie Callender slow roasted beef pot roast bowl with vegetables and gravy for $2.76
You could also do a beef luncheon meat like a 2oz package of Carl Buddig for .83¢ or a 7oz package of roast beef lunchmeat for $4.24. You can use the slices and serve with any of the above sides or make a sandwich if you desire.

You can purchase a 12oz can of roast beef for $3.94

How about a 7oz Hickory Farms Beef Summer Sausage for $4.96

Or a 15oz package of all beef Beef Frank Hot Dogs for $4.48

A 11oz Banquet Salisbury Streak Frozen Dinner for $1.87

And finally you could do a 5.6oz beef flavored Pasta Skillet Dinner for $1.28 with a package of 80/20 Ground Beef & Pork Blend for $3.97

DESSERTS

Cherry or Apple Cobbler
8.5oz box of cobbler mix from the Dollar Tree for $1.25 and a 15oz can of cherry or apple pie filling for the Dollar Tree (you will need 4 tablespoons butter or margarine to make this)

No Bake Cheesecake from Dollar Tree Dinners
Soften 1-8oz block of cream cheese (8oz block for $1.56) to room temp. Once softened, cream it with a hand mixer. Slowly whip in 1 cup cold milk (32oz container shelf stable whole milk $1.25 from Dollar Tree.) When fully incorporated add a box of pudding (I’m picking 2.55oz box Snickers pudding for $1.25 from Dollar Tree - but of course you can choose any flavor you desire) and whip for 3-4 minutes. Pour this into a graham cracker crust (6oz-9” crust for $1.25 from Dollar Tree) and refrigerate until set (at least 2 hours)

Remember: you will need an additional 2 cups of milk to make your pudding

Gingerbread Truffles from StrawberryMoonHomestead
2 ½ cups gingerbread cookies - crushed (14oz box gingerbread cookie mix for $1.98 - you will need margarine or butter and an egg)
5oz cream cheese (8oz block for $1.56)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (2.37oz bottle for $1.00 from Dollar General)
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (1.5oz bottle for $2.46)
¼ teaspoon ground cloves (2oz bottle for $2.27)
8oz white chocolate chips (12oz Nestle Premier $3.97)

To make: crush your cookies into powder. Make a dough by combining spices, cream cheese and cookie powder. Roll into balls and chill for 30 minutes. Melt your chocolate in 30 second intervals in the microwave until melted. Roll your balls in the chocolate until fully coated. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.

Bonus: Christmas isn’t complete without Eggnog, here’s a simple recipe from AllRecipes.Com 

4 ⅔ cups low-fat milk *
4 large eggs beaten (6ct $1.13 or 12ct $1.74)
6 tablespoons sugar *
2 teaspoons vanilla extract or flavoring (8oz bottle of flavoring $1.92 or 1oz bottle of extract $3.94)  
2 dashes ground nutmeg (1.5oz bottle for $2.46)

To make: blend everything together until well combined and chill in the fridge before serving.

Note: this says it makes six servings. If you want an alcoholic spike just add brandy or rum. 

Or you can just purchase 1 quart Kemps Eggnog for $3.87

*Prices of Things Mentioned*

20sq ft roll of Parchment Paper 1.50 from Dollar Tree (or 50sq ft for $2.96 from Walmart)
Sugar 1lb box $1.25 from Dollar Tree or 4lbs for $3.07 from Walmart
2oz Black Pepper $1.25 from Dollar Tree
32oz container shelf stable whole milk $1.25 from Dollar Tree or 1/2 gallon milk $1.82 or a gallon for $3.02 at Walmart
6oz honey $1.25 from Dollar Tree 
2lb flour $1.25 from Dollar Tree or 5lb bag for $2.38 from Walmart
16oz Imperial Margarine $1.24
16oz Country Crook Butter $3.98
26oz Salt .76¢
Fresh Garlic Bulb .72¢ ea or 3ct bag for $1.74
Eggs 6ct $1.13 or 12ct $1.74
32oz bag Brown Sugar $1.97
Garlic powder 3.4oz $1.24 Walmart or 3.12oz $1.00 Dollar General
1.4oz dried thyme $2.78
3.25oz onion powder $1.24
10oz Worcestershire sauce $1.12
17oz olive oil  $6.12
dried rosemary (couldn't find this - must be sold out)
onion salt (wasn't available - but you can make your own using 1 part onion powder and 2-3 parts fine salt)

After seeing the roast prices I may try to make a new tradition of serving Swedish Meatballs. This recipe will cost anywhere from $17.34 to $ 27.52 depending on the options you select. Here’s the recipe I’m thinking of using:

SWEDISH MEATBALLS from Like Mother Like Daughter
¼ cup butter/margarine (16oz Imperial Margarine $1.24 or 16oz Country Crook Butter $3.98)
¼ cup flour (2lb flour $1.25 from Dollar Tree)
2 cups beef broth (32oz container for $1.50 or if money is very tight you could do a 14.5oz can for .82¢ and just use 1.5oz water)
¾ cup heavy cream (16oz container for $2.96)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (10oz Worcestershire sauce $1.12)
1 teaspoon salt (to taste) (.76¢)
½ teaspoon black pepper (to taste) (2oz Black Pepper $1.25 from Dollar Tree)
About 30 meatballs (recipe below)

MY HUBBY’S MEATBALLS - makes about 30 meatballs
1lb 80/20 ground beef ($5.98)
1lb 90/10 ground pork (1.5lb tray of 85% / 15% for $5.37 - this was the cheapest at Walmart) 
15oz container breadcrumbs (15oz container for $1.22)
2 eggs (Eggs 6ct $1.13)
½ teaspoon garlic powder or for an Italian flare replace the garlic powder for Italian seasoning. (Garlic powder 3.12oz $1.00 Dollar General)

Note: I’m going to use 2lbs of 80% / 20% ground beef and pork blend for $3.97/lb

To make: start by making and frying your meatballs. Set your meatballs aside when cooked. To make your sauce start by melting margarine in a pan. When melted, whisk in flour until clumpy. Continue to cook and stir until this roux starts to turn brown then add your broth and cream while you continue to whisk. Finally stir in salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Add your meatballs and reduce your temperature. Let this simmer for 5-10 minutes. You can serve these with egg noodles (16oz package $1.62), rice (1lb bag for .88¢ (brown rice) to .92¢ (white rice) or mashed potatoes (4oz package instant mashed potato pouch $1.00.)

Well I think that covers everything I have for ideas about Christmas dinner. I hope you have enjoyed this. I wish you and your family the best holiday ever! Be grateful for each other as I am for having you here!

 💗 Jo