Amidst rising living costs, a single mother of four,Charlene Woracker from , has garnered widespread attention for revealing how she prepares a Christmas dinner for a mere £10.70. Her budget-savvy approach, shared through a viral TikTok clip under the username @mummybudgets,offers practical tips for those looking to celebrate the festive season without breaking the bank.

Charlene's primary strategy involves securing discounted ingredients well in advance. She emphasized the importance of buying meat when it's on offer and freezing it, ready for Christmas Day. For her family's meal, she opted for a substantial pork loin joint, which she purchased for £5.87 using a supermarket's More Card price. Contrary to traditional turkey, Charlene advocates for cooking pork in an air fryer, claiming it yields a “juicy” result with “amazing” crackling.

Her cost-cutting extends to vegetables, which she procures when supermarkets significantly reduce prices, often to as little as 10p. For her Christmas spread, Charlene bought potatoes from Morrisons for £1.15, destined for both roast potatoes and mash. Carrots, parsnips, and Brussels Sprouts were acquired for just 10p each through her More Card. Additional components included red cabbage for 75p and mini pigs in blankets for £2.25.

Photo Credit: The Sun

Further savings were achieved by substituting expensive ingredients and making items from scratch. Instead of using costly goose fat, Charlene utilized more affordable rapeseed oil. She also chose to make her own Yorkshire puddings, estimating the ingredients cost around 40p, rather than purchasing pre-made versions. The final meal, despite its low cost, was described as “absolutely delicious” and capable of feeding a family of five, or even more with younger children.

Charlene’s TikTok video quickly amassed 1.9 million views and thousands of likes and comments, highlighting a significant public interest in budget-friendly solutions. However, the reception was divided. While many praised her ingenuity and the appetizing appearance of the meal, others questioned the absence of traditional Christmas staples like turkey, stuffing, and specific sauces, igniting a discussion about festive expectations versus affordability.