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How to make Christmas dinner for four people for less than $100
Christmas dinner is supposed to be joyful, celebratory – yet seems to have quietly become one of the season’s more stressful undertakings. Even households that keep things modest can feel the pinch when supermarket prices creep up and festive expectations stay high. Yet it’s entirely possible… View moreChristmas dinner is supposed to be joyful, celebratory – yet seems to have quietly become one of the season’s more stressful undertakings. Even households that keep things modest can feel the pinch when supermarket prices creep up and festive expectations stay high. Yet it’s entirely possible to serve a generous, properly festive meal for four for under $100, without resorting to packet gravy, instant stuffing or anything that tastes like compromise.
This is a menu that feels like Christmas, looks abundant and uses ordinary supermarket ingredients treated well. It slots comfortably under $100 across Pak’nSave, Woolworths and New World, and includes easy swaps for fussy households, clever ways to use what you already have, and simple ideas for making the table look special without spending extra.
A chic seafood starter
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Seafood is an elegant way to open a meal and, when you choose cleverly, one of the most cost-effective.
Mussels in white wine, garlic and cream are a standout. At around $5-$7 a kilo, they offer enormous impact for very little money. Steam them with garlic, a splash of the wine you’re already serving and a touch of cream, then finish with lemon and herbs. Tip them into a large serving bowl and let everyone help themselves. It feels summery, generous and unmistakably festive.
If mussels aren’t universally adored in your household, a refined prawn cocktail is the perfect alternative. Frozen prawns, thawed and tossed in a homemade Marie Rose sauce (mayo, ketchup, lemon juice, paprika), look instantly polished when served in cocktail glasses or small bowls with a few herbs scattered over. It’s retro chic. Or skewer prawns, flavoured with whatever you have – garlic butter, sweet chilli, paprika …
A chicken that looks genuinely festive
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Turkey and ham have their devotees, but a whole chicken remains the most economical centrepiece for four. Prices vary from around $9 to $14 depending on the supermarket, and with a little attention it can look and taste like a genuine showstopper.
The simplest, most effective way to make it feel special is a bacon lattice. Lay streaky bacon strips over the breast in a loose criss-cross. As it cooks, the bacon bastes the bird, crisps beautifully and infuses the pan juices with the savoury depth you’d normally associate with Christmas ham. Slide a garlic and herb butter under the skin first, tuck halved lemons or oranges around the tray and roast until the bacon is bronzed and the chicken deeply aromatic. The whole thing looks far more expensive than it is.
For households who prefer something quicker-cooking or more “chef-y”, a butterflied chicken is an excellent alternative. It cooks evenly, the skin goes crisp, and you can work flavoured butter into every nook.
Once the chicken is done, make a proper pan gravy from the roasting dish. Add a spoon of flour, a splash of wine or water and whisk until glossy. A little mustard or a touch of cream turns it into something quietly luxurious.
Sides that stretch the meal and brighten the table
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Vegetables are where you create generosity without driving up the bill, and they bring much of the colour and fragrance that make a meal feel celebratory.
Rosemary roast potatoes are non-negotiable. Use the rosemary you bought for the chicken, coat the potatoes well in oil and roast until crisp at the edges.
Honey-orange carrots bring warmth, sweetness and scent. Roast sliced carrots with a little honey and finish with orange zest from the fruit already in your tray.
Minted butter peas prove that frozen vegetables can be elegant. A toss with butter, salt, lemon zest and mint is enough to lift them.
Pavlova, but zhuzhed
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Pavlova is almost mandatory at a New Zealand Christmas, but the trick is to treat it in a way that feels fresh.
A layered pavlova fool is the easiest way to elevate a bought base. Break it into shards, then layer it in a glass bowl with vanilla whipped cream, tinned peaches, mint and a handful of toasted nuts. It looks far more considered than a single pav on a plate, and it stretches further too. Making individual portions in small glasses adds a restaurant-style flourish without increasing the spend.
If you find frozen berries in the freezer – most households have a bag tucked away – blitz them with a little icing sugar to make a glossy sauce to pour over the top. It adds colour and acidity without the budget-pushing price of fresh berries.
For adults, a quick affogato is an elegant “second dessert” if you have vanilla ice cream in the freezer and some coffee on hand. An old bottle of Cointreau, brandy or Kahlua lurking adds a decadent splash. A scoop of ice cream drowned in hot coffee and, if you have it, a dash of whatever liqueur you have on hand feels like an indulgence, yet costs nothing extra.
The savings hidden in your garden and pantry
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Before you shop, check what you already have. December is the moment when gardens and pantries quietly come into their own.
Herbs first. Rosemary thrives almost everywhere at this time of year, thyme is forgiving and mint has a habit of taking over. Lemons linger on trees in much of the North Island, and even one fruit can provide zest for chicken, peas and carrots. Borrowing a sprig of rosemary or a lemon from a neighbour is well within the bounds of festive generosity.
Then survey the pantry. A single can of chickpeas can be roasted with smoked paprika for a crunchy nibble. Nuts and seeds can be toasted and sprinkled over vegetables or folded into pavlova layers. Olives whizz into tapenade. Anchovies melt into flavoured butter for potatoes. Breadcrumbs toasted in butter and garlic add crunch to almost anything.
Your freezer is likely to be just as useful. Bread ends become crostini, berries become sauce and peas become a side dish. Ice cream turns into affogato. Using these odds and ends often keeps the supermarket bill tens of dollars lower.
A stylish table without extra spending
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A festive table doesn’t require a last-minute shopping spree. A few sprigs of rosemary down the centre of the table make an instant garland. Citrus slices in a jug of water double as decoration and refreshment. Plain napkins tied with old ribbon look thoughtful. Jam jars with candles provide atmosphere. The principle is simple: arrange what you have with intention.
The final tally
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Across all major supermarket chains, this menu – seafood starter, bacon-latticed chicken with sides, pavlova fool and even a simple affogato – reliably comes in between $70 and $90 depending on specials. It’s generous, flavourful and unmistakably festive. Most importantly, nobody at the table will guess where the savings were made. A feast for four for under $100, without the compromise.
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Celebrate in Style: Craft Your Own Decor with Testpots
Create handcrafted celebrations using Resene testpots. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Aucklanders, we want to know: How are you feeling about the current property market?
New Zealand homeowners are now more likely to sell at a loss than at any time since 2013, and if you’re in Auckland or Wellington, the odds are even higher.
But there is a silver lining: buyers are still in a strong position when it comes to negotiating prices.
So we’re curious…
How … View moreNew Zealand homeowners are now more likely to sell at a loss than at any time since 2013, and if you’re in Auckland or Wellington, the odds are even higher.
But there is a silver lining: buyers are still in a strong position when it comes to negotiating prices.
So we’re curious…
How are you feeling about the current property market?
If you’re keen to dive into the details, Deborah Morris breaks down all the latest insights.
7000 pensioners overcharged in another Inland Revenue error
Almost 7000 pensioners have been affected by another Inland Revenue error.
Last week, RNZ reported that 4500 people had overpaid tax after their imputation credits had been incorrectly recorded in their prep-populated tax returns.
Others got in touch and said they had also experienced a problem, … View moreAlmost 7000 pensioners have been affected by another Inland Revenue error.
Last week, RNZ reported that 4500 people had overpaid tax after their imputation credits had been incorrectly recorded in their prep-populated tax returns.
Others got in touch and said they had also experienced a problem, this time with the way that NZ Super was recorded for ACC purposes.
One man said he had been charged $301.68 in ACC earner levy for $18,854.98 of gross income from NZ Super that should not have attracted a levy at all.
He said he was not able to control this when he completed his return and did not realise the error until the process was complete.
He said he did not think a lot more about it but when he saw RNZ's reporting of the other error, he realised that there had been at least two this year.
"This really starts to suggest a deficiency in change control of IRD systems."
Another couple said they wanted assurance that Inland Revenue had taken steps to stop it happening again.
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Inland Revenue said 6778 people were affected.
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"There was an issue identified earlier this year where we were not populating the 'earnings not liable' figure correctly for some customers. We fixed those returns for the customers in July 2025."
Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand tax leader John Cuthbertson said ACC was not paid on NZ Super because it was not liable income.
"However, if you're working and receiving NZ Super, your earnings from that work do attract levies."
"The advancements in digitalisation and MyIR have been quite incredible, except when it goes wrong like this. You shouldn't need a Chartered Accountant to check prepopulated forms, but the average person might not know that super income does not attract ACC levies. We used to say 'google it' but many taxpayers are now using AI to do a basic check of their tax returns, asking simple questions like 'Should I pay 'x' levy on 'y' income?"
Angus Ogilvie, managing director of Generate Accounting Group, said it was concerning that issues seemed to be leading to erroneous data being prepopulated into Inland Revenue's system.
"The new software employed was a very costly and complex project. However, taxpayers should expect that there is a high level of diligence applied to get their tax obligations right. Let's hope that the department is devoting urgent resource to correct these issues".
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Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer … View morePolice are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
What sectors are barely paying more than minimum wage?
While New Zealand might have about a dozen sectors paying at least a median $100,000 a year, there are almost as many paying barely more than the minimum wage.
Data compiled by Infometrics showed the median and mean salaries across industries throughout the country.
The data does not adjust for … View moreWhile New Zealand might have about a dozen sectors paying at least a median $100,000 a year, there are almost as many paying barely more than the minimum wage.
Data compiled by Infometrics showed the median and mean salaries across industries throughout the country.
The data does not adjust for hours worked, and some of the workers may not be working a 40-hour week.
But it shows that on an annual basis, many sectors were not delivering incomes that were equal to the minimum wage.
The minimum wage of $23.50 an hour works out to just under $49,000 a year for a full-time, 40-hour a week worker.
Fuel retailing was paying a median of almost exactly the same amount.
Food retailing was paying less, at $45,030. Accommodation was slightly more, at $49,240, and food and beverage services was significantly less at $40,170.
Also within $10,000 of minimum wage were "other store-based retailing" at $53,220, sport and recreation services at $53,350 and personal and other services at $54,170.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment data last year showed that about 141,900 people would be directly affected by the minimum wage rising to $23.50, indicating they were at that point being paid less than that amount per hour.
Infometrics principal economist Nick Brunsdon said skills and experience explained a lot of the variation in incomes.
"Industries that need a more skilled workforce generally pay more - because they can get a lot of value out of their workers, and workers need a good incentive to gain those skills - for example, medicine. Industries that take in a lot of lower qualified staff, like hospitality, can get away with paying a lot less, and still get plenty of job applicants.
"There are other factors like desirability - some jobs might not have a high skill requirement but are somewhat undesirable - say underground coal mining - so higher pay is necessary to find workers."
CTU policy director and economist Craig Enney said "hours adequacy" was a big problem in many sectors.
"You've got someone who's working 20 hours a week or 25 hours, on $25 an hour, so you're earning $500 a week. Is that enough? No.
"The challenge is often about the structure of employment in some of those sectors…In hospo, in retail, in catering, in a range of other sort of service-based industries, it's wanting more hours and not getting it."
The latest labour market statistics showed the the number of underutilised people in the country had risen to 403,000.
"These are people who want more hours, want more work and can't get it. And that may be a key reason why, you know, total incomes are so inadequate for some people. And that's also partially helping to explain why the headline unemployment rate is not rising as quickly as some people had predicted."
Jake Lilley, a spokesperson for financial mentor network Fincap, said it was something mentors dealt with.
"They also help people work out what is realistic in terms of taking on hours while balancing additional childcare costs. Our latest Voices reporting recorded 31 percent of those supported by a financial mentor as having a mix of income from salary or wages as well as income support.
"It is a real juggle to navigate finances when unpredictable sporadic hours of work need reporting to Work and Income in what can be impractical timeframes. An example might be someone being asked to stay on for a longer shift by their manager and being unable to contact Work and Income when that day is the deadline to report other income.
"Someone might also not know exactly what their pay will be until a payslip is provided after the reporting date. Such situations can often result in overpayment debts from Work and Income compounding the difficulty of administering already tight finances."
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5pc Spider-Man Beach Set & Finding Nemo Bucket
Selling this 5pc Spider-Man Beach Set and Finding Nemo Bucket as no longer required.
As per pics these are in excellent condition and were barely used.
Use at the beach, playground, backyard or even in the bath!
From smoke and pet free home.
Pick up is in Sandringham (near St Luke’s mall).
Kids Step Stool
Selling this kids step stool as no longer required.
As per photos it’s in good condition with plenty of life left in it.
Origjnally purchased from Farmers and has been used by two boys.
Sturdy and solid with non slip surface.
… View moreSelling this kids step stool as no longer required.
As per photos it’s in good condition with plenty of life left in it.
Origjnally purchased from Farmers and has been used by two boys.
Sturdy and solid with non slip surface.
From smoke and pet free home.
Pick up is in Sandringham (near St Luke’s mall).
Kids - Learn To Tie Shoe Laces
Selling this kids Learn To Tie Shoe Laces as no longer required.
As per photos it’s in perfect condition as hardly used.
Great way to help kids learn to tie their shoe laces in a fun way.
From smoke and pet free home.
Pick up is in Sandringham (near St Luke’s mall).
Minecraft Plushy - Technoblade
Selling this Minecraft Plushy (Technoblade) as no longer required.
As per photos it’s in good condition with plenty of life left in it.
Measures approx 30cm.
From smoke and pet free home.
Pick up is in Sandringham (near St Luke’s mall).
Roblox Ultimate Guide Collection
Selling this Roblox Ultimate Guide Collection books as no longer required.
As per photos they’re in excellent condition as hardly used.
Pick up is from Sandringham (near St Luke’s mall).
Marvel Hooded Towel / oodie
Selling this Marvel Hooded Towel / Oodie as no longer required.
As per photos it’s in excellent condition as hardly worn.
Can be used as an oodie or for swimming.
Size: 12-16yrs
From smoke and pet free home.
Kids Twisty Trunk Mammoth Sprinkler
Selling this fun kids sprinkler as no longer required.
In great condition with plenty of life left in it as hardly used.
Pick up is from Sandringham (near St Luke’s mall)
Parklane Jewellery X3 Pieces
BRAND NEW Parklane Jewellery.
3 pieces of beautiful jewellery. Brand new and never worn.
Please note: Not real gold!
All pieces are Hypoallergenic, Lead and Nickel Free.
… View moreBRAND NEW Parklane Jewellery.
3 pieces of beautiful jewellery. Brand new and never worn.
Please note: Not real gold!
All pieces are Hypoallergenic, Lead and Nickel Free.
Details:
Lifestyle Bracelet - Cute lattice bracelet that flexes to fit most wrists.
Retails: $48
Selling: $40
Roo Necklace - Circle of crystals and measures 15”+3”
Retails: $36
Selling: $30
Craze Barrel Necklace - Gold barrel shaped pendant with a micro pave setting and clear crystals. Measures 15”+3”
Retails: $36
Selling: $30
Buy all 3 pieces for $100 or can sell separately at prices listed above.
Each piece comes with a drawstring gift bag.
Perfect for Christmas gift.
Pick up is from Sandringham (near St Luke’s mall).
X2 Sea World Drink Bottles - BRAND NEW
Selling these two Sea World drink bottles as not needed.
$10 for both of them ($5 a bottle!).
Brand new and never used.
Pick up Sandringham (near St Luke’s mall).
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