Cost of Christmas rises sharply
The average cost of Christmas dinner in the UK has risen sharply since last year.
According to ONS figures revealed today, average retail prices for a basket of goods are up over 7%, with European red wines increasing more than 14%, Champagne rising by almost 9% and New World whites up by 8%.
However, the greatest increases come for those wanting biscuits with their cheese this Christmas, with cream crackers up on average by almost 51%, from 55 pence to 83p.
On the other hand, the price of vegetables has mostly fallen, with carrots down by 20% and potatoes by 10% since last year.
As for after turkey treats other than the traditional Christmas pudding, the ONS data shows that the price of sponge cake has jumped by over 18% and ice cream is up 6%.
Meanwhile, ground coffee has gone up almost 21% and chocolates have increase in price by just under 7%.
The full results (prices in pence):
Item Description Nov-10 Nov-11 % change
Fresh chilled chicken, per kg 293 314 7.2%
Fresh turkey steaks, per kg 785 815 3.8%
Bacon, gammon, per kg 642 708 10.3%
Bacon, back, per kg 858 911 6.2%
Sausages, pork, per kg 410 433 5.6%
Potatoes, old white, per kg 67 60 -10.4%
Potatoes, new, per kg 155 141 -9.0%
Cauliflower, each 79 84 6.3%
Partner Content
Carrots, per kg 78 62 -20.5%
Broccoli, per kg 203 212 4.4%
Frozen garden peas 153 160 4.6%
Ice cream 217 230 6.0%
Whole sponge cake, not frozen 110 130 18.2%
Fresh double cream 97 96 -1.0%
Hard cheese, regional 697 709 1.7%
Cream crackers, packet 55 83 50.9%
Carton/box of chocolates 419 447 6.7%
Coffee, ground, filter fine 244 295 20.9%
Bottle of champagne 2665 2893 8.6%
Red wine, European, bottle 493 563 14.2%
White wine, New World, bottle 607 656 8.1%
Fortified wine, bottle 655 730 11.5%
TOTAL 9982 10732 7.5%
