Newly-compiled data has revealed how much more a typical Christmas dinner will cost on average this year compared to last.
The average prices for turkey, Christmas pudding, Brussels Sprouts, and gravy granules have risen in 2021 according to data compiled by Kantar – which showed that the average price of a typical festive meal for four was about 89p higher than in 2020, Sky News reports.
It comes after grocery inflation rose by 3.2% in the first four weeks of November.
Although the prices of some festive dinner favourites have risen this year, costs are down on other items such as parsnips, cranberry sauce, and carrots.
The average cost of a Christmas dinner in 2021 is £27.48.
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The average cost of a Christmas dinner in 2021 is £27.48. / Credit: Kantar
Overall, Kantar’s analysis of the prices of Christmas dinner favourites showed the cost of frozen turkey was up 7% at £12.46, and Christmas pudding up 5% at £2.48, while Brussels sprouts rose 5% to 92p, cauliflower added 5% to 90p, and gravy granules rose 3% to £1.39.
Sparkling wine was unchanged at £6.47, while cranberry sauce is down 3% at 90p, potatoes are down 5% to £1.10, and carrots are 13% lower at 41p.
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After revealing that the overall grocery inflation rate climbed to 3.2% in the four weeks to 28 November – which is the highest level since June last year – Kantar also said that prices are rising fastest for savoury snacks, crisps and cat food.
Prices have however fallen for items such as fresh bacon, bath and shower products and pet treats too.
It comes after grocery inflation rose by 3.2% in the first four weeks of November / Credit: Unsplash (Kraken Images)
Fraser McKevitt – Head of Retail and Consumer Insight at Kantar – explained that price inflation did not seem to be denting shoppers’ appetites to treat themselves however, as supermarket premium own-label ranges appeared to be the fastest-growing in stores.
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“Habits we’d expect to see shift, like swapping branded products for own label or seeking out promotions, haven’t altered just yet,” he added.
The figures also showed that, for the 12 weeks to 28 November, grocery sales fell by 3.8%.
This was compared with the same period last year, which was a time when the COVID-19 pandemic meant that consumers bought more food and drink to eat at home as fewer were choosing not to, or were unable to eat out.
Sir Ian McKellen pays emotional tribute to long-time friend and fellow northern actor Sir Patrick Stewart
Emily Sergeant
Sir Ian McKellen has paid an emotional tribute to his long-time friend and fellow northern actor, Sir Patrick Stewart, following his death.
Sir Patrick Stewart – who was born and bred in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, and is best-known for his theatre work alongside an illustrious 60-year screen career, taking on prominent roles in franchises such as Star Trek and X-Men – sadly passed away at the age of 86, with his death being announced publicly yesterday evening (29 October).
And now, his long-time friend and fellow northern actor, Sir Ian McKellen, has paid tribute.
Sir Patrick and Sir Ian shared the stage together countless times over their decades-long careers, but also famously starred alongside each other in the X-Men franchise, and subsequent Marvel movies, as Charles Xavier/Professor X and Magneto.
The tribute, shared across Sir Ian’s social media platforms, reads: “Before everything else, Patrick was defined by being born and bred in Yorkshire, the proud county in the north of England which he loved to the end. You could hear it in his accented voice and in the stern honesty with which he told you what he thought and felt. Yorkshiremen have no truck with half-truths or avoidance of big issues. He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love.
“We first met as ambitious young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company half a century ago but we weren’t in the same productions.
“My first strong memory was a few years later, meeting him in the street in central London when he told me about an offer to take over a leading part in ‘Star Trek’. “But Patrick think of your stage career in the UK. Do you really want to risk getting lost in Hollywood for years and years?”
“Well, he took the risk and thank goodness for us all that he did, for not just his devoted Trekkies, but film and theatre audiences who marvelled at his using international celebrity to star in a string of cinema successes (‘X-Men’ of course) and in great classical plays by Shakespeare, Ibsen, Arthur Miller, Peter Shaffer, Pinter and Beckett at Stratford-upon-Avon, in London’s West End and on Broadway.
“America was his adopted home, where he met his adored Sunny who has cared for him through sickness and health, through thick and thin.
“But he never forsook his origins: and the proudest achievement of the most respected and beloved actor of his generation on either side of the Atlantic, was his appointment as Chancellor of Huddersfield University in Yorkshire.”
Sir Patrick Stewart’s farewell performance will be in Avengers: Doomsday, which is being released in UK cinemas on 18 December 2026
Featured Image – Gage Skidmore (via Flickr)
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Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets this Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks season.
Bonfire Night may be loved by us humans for the spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that come along with it… but sadly, the November holiday isn’t quite so fun for our four-legged friends.
Loud bangs, flashing lights, and unpleasant strong smell of spent explosives are just some of the reasons why fireworks are frightening to pets.
Not only that, but with multiple bangs occurring from numerous displays across this time of year, pets are rarely able to pinpoint when and where the booming explosions are coming from, therefore creating even more anxiety around this time of year.
Classic FM will play calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks / Credit: DESIGNECOLOGIST (via Unsplash)
Which is why, for the ninth year running now, Classic FM is once again teaming up with the RSPCA for two Pet Classics programmes packed with ‘the most soothing and comforting classical music’.
The music has been handpicked to help calm and settle any anxious pets.
A survey by the RSPCA revealed that almost two-thirds (63%) of animal owners reported their pet was distressed during fireworks season, and that playing relaxing music was the most common way (36%) to help calm or prepare their animal.
Presenters Dan Walker, Aled Jones, and Dawn O’Porter will each host a night of the specially created programme to help keep the nation’s pets calm through the whizzes and bangs.
Dan will present the first programme on Bonfire Night itself (Thursday 5 November), and then as celebrations continue throughout the weekend, Aled will be on hand to bring some peace to Friday 6 November, and Dawn picks up the baton on Saturday 7 November.
Emily Sergeant -
7th December 2021 
