subject: Christmas Dinner Can Be Pricey [print this page] In 2011, the Office for National Statistics revealed prices on individual items needed for a Christmas dinner. With inflation and the recession still affecting purchases today within consumers, it can be assumed these listings are still very similar, applying to homes and Christmas dinners all over the United Kingdom. The Office for National Statistics took their information from the CPI (Consumer Price Indices) basket of goods. Using these statistics shows some components of a 2011 Christmas dinner cost almost 50% more than a 2010 Christmas dinner.
November 2010, a kilogram of turkey steak was 7.85. December 2011, an increase of 3.8 percent took turkey steak up to 8.15 per kilogram. Whilst turkey steak was rising, chicken costs were also. From 2.93 for each kilogram in November of 2010, to 3.14 in December 2011. These are the two most common meats consumed at Christmas time, within the United Kingdom, with 87 percent of people preferring a turkey upon their tables to any other meat.
Another popular meat combination for Christmas is pigs in blankets. However, much like turkey and chicken, both sausage and bacon have risen in price in time for consumers wanting such a delicious festive treat. Average costs of back bacon have risen from 8.58 to 9.11 for every kilogram, alongside pork sausages going from 4.10 for 4.33. With these two numbers, it brings the average for a kilogram of pigs in blankets up to 13.44, where last year it was only 12.68.
Unlike meat, vegetable prices are a lot less consistent. Good news for rabbits everywhere, prices for carrots had dropped by an entire 20.5 percent, with potatoes taking a similar decline; old potatoes took a dive of 10.4 percent, with new potatoes going down by 9 percent. However, with other vegetables news is not good. Broccoli rose by 4.4 per cent, frozen peas were close with a rise of 4.6 percent, yet cauliflower saw its biggest increase in price, with a total rise of 6.3 percent.
Of course, a meal isnt over until coffee and chocolates have been washed down, or a bottle of red for those with finer tastes. However, even pricing for wine took a hit. Old world red wine rose by a whole 14.2 percent, taking an original 4.93 up to 5.63 for a single bottle. White wine also saw an increase, 8.1 percent saw an original price of 6.07 rise to 6.56. Champagne, an already expensive tipple, took another rise, with its price of 26.65 soaring to 28.93. Even grandmothers sherry went from 6.55 a bottle to 7.30
For those who want a nice after dinner cheese course, or some delicious solid dairy products to go with a chicken and stuffing meal, it pays to know an average price of cheese. However, cheese has only taken a small rise, going up by 1.7 percent for hard regional cheese, making prices of 6.97 now 7.09. Hoping for a cream cracker to rest cheese on can be pricey, with cream crackers rising from 55p to 83p, a rise of 50.9 percent.
Over all, a Christmas dinner may cost more than any other meal people take on throughout 2012. Yet everyone is in agreement of it being worth it.
