ONE of the best parts of the festive period is indulging in your favourite seasonal tipples.
However, the cost of alcohol can give you a budget hangover.
Here are a few ideas to help you save on the sauce . . .
IRISH CREAM: Baileys is the drink of Christmas for many.
Supermarkets often put it on offer, and Asda and Tesco (with a Clubcard) currently have litre bottles at £10.
Save even more with a dupe that tastes pretty close to the original. Try Lidl’s Deluxe Irish Cream liqueur, £7.99.
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CHEAP BUBBLES: Christmas is a time to toast loved ones, but you don’t need pricey champagne for the job. Try a bottle of Cremant instead. It’s also French sparkling wine but from outside the Champagne region.
Morrisons The Best Cremant De Limoux is fab, and currently £11 with a More card (£12.25 without).
BOX CLEVER: Red wine and tasty cheese is a winning winter combo. Boxed wine is a great way to have a single glass without fear of wasting an entire bottle – the drink stays fresh for up to six weeks once opened.
If you love Jam Shed shiraz, normally around £7 a bottle, try Aldi’s Kooliburra jammy red boxed wine at £10.99 for 1.5litres, equivalent to £5.50 a bottle.
BUY MORE TO SAVE: Most of the big supermarkets periodically run buy-six-save-25 per cent deals, which can save you a decent whack if you’re stocking up on alcohol for Christmas. You can mix and match the wines, and Sainsbury’s, Asda and Tesco all have deals.
MOCKTAIL: If you want a seasonal toast without inducing a hangover, try whipping up a fiery cocktail with Belvoir Farm honey, lemon, and ginger cordial. It’s now £3.50 with a Nectar card at Sainsbury’s, down from £4.25.
Add 50ml of the cordial to 50ml of orange juice and 25ml of fresh lemon juice.
Then mix in one teaspoon of turmeric, a pinch of chilli powder, and top up with tonic water.
All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Deal of the day
POP this Christmas reindeer decoration outside your home to make your neighbourhood extra festive. This sparkly stag is down from £40 to £25 at Argos.
SAVE: £15
Cheap treat
GRAB your favourite person, curl up on the sofa and open a pack of these salted caramel Matchmakers, £1.49, from B&M.
What’s new?
WICKED fans will love this limited-edition Elphaba Enchanted by Ariana Grande. New in at Boots, it’s £41.25 for the 100ml eau de parfum.
Top swap
LIGHT your favourite candle and pop on this Diptyque carousel, £74 from John Lewis. Or get a similar enchanting candle accessory, £12.50, at Oliver Bonas.
SAVE: £61.50
Little helper
HELP ward off condensation and mould with the Vybra Absodry moisture absorber, which draws water from the air, from £15.99 at Robert Dyas.
Shop & save
FEEL merry and bright in an instant with this beanie hat embroidered with the slogan “c’est la vie”. Down from £14 to £9.80 at Accessorize.
SAVE: £4.20
Hot right now
BUY three frozen canapes at Sainsbury’s with a Nectar card and get the cheapest free, including sausage rolls and tempura prawns.
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