More expensive food prices and a tougher economy are affecting many households in Sweden right now. When it’s time for the Christmas table, there are several tips that can help keep prices down.
– The ham is often left over and many people conclude that it must be eaten over Christmas, but that is not the case, says savings economist Günther Mårder.
Today, many are worried about the economy at the same time as Christmas is approaching and food prices are increasing. Last Tuesday, new statistics on the consumer price index (CPI) from Statistics Norway (SCB) showed that the Christmas table will be even more expensive – even this year.
He has become known as “Sweden’s stingiest man”, the saving expert, also the former CEO of Företagarna Günther Mårder, who now gives his best tips for a cheaper Christmas table.
– It is important to prioritize. A lot of food is left over and meets a sad death, he says.
Freeze the Christmas ham
Günther Mårder’s main tip is to prioritize what should be on the Christmas table – so that an excessive amount of food is not thrown away.
– Let everyone who comes prioritize three things that are central to the Christmas table and choose them. Then no one will think it’s bad and you can save enormously.
For example, the prices of herring and smoked salmon have increased by up to 30 percent and Christmas ham by 6.7 percent. The savings economist himself usually takes the opportunity to buy large quantities of Christmas ham after Christmas when prices have dropped significantly.
– The ham is often left over and many people conclude that it must be eaten over Christmas, but that is not the case. It’s ham after all and can be frozen and used for pizza or carbonara at any time of the year, says Günther Mårder.
He believes that it is the same with meatballs and sausages, which can easily be frozen and used later for other dishes.
“Brew your own mulled wine”
It is common for many people to get tired of Christmas food, but it is possible to renew and change recipes that you don’t have to get tired of, he says. Examples of this are brussels sprouts and kale, which are cheap ingredients that can be made in different variations for the Christmas table.
Something he has done in the past and which he recommends others to do is to brew his own mulled wine – several weeks in advance.
– It takes six weeks to brew your own mulled wine. Write it in the calendar for next year and it will be good for both Christmas and as a “give away gift” when you go to a Christmas gathering. Here you can save a lot of money, says Günther Mårder.