Where do you usually do your Christmas shop? Tesco? Sainsbury’s? Or do you ‘push the boat’ out because it’s Christmas and go somewhere a bit more upmarket?
We get our turkey from our local butcher but everything else comes from the supermarket – and this year we’ll be shopping at Lidl.
Earlier this year, on a baking hot day in July, Mumsnet asked me to visit Lidl’s Christmas showcase and get the low down on what their Christmas 2017 range has to offer. I’ve got to be honest: I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Although we’ve bought bits and bobs from discount supermarkets in the past we don’t tend to shop there regularly, mainly because we get our ‘big shop’ online (hiding behind my computer with a mouse is far preferable than running the risk of public toddler meltdowns) and I do top-up shops on foot, and there isn’t a discount supermarket near us.
Even so I don’t think I’m alone in harbouring pre-conceived ideas that no-frills supermarkets are somehow ‘less good’ because of the cheaper price tag.
Well, it’s funny what a difference stripping away the packaging makes. When I walked into Lidl’s Christmas showcase it looked – and smelled – like something from an M&S advert and there’s no way you could tell the food hadn’t come from a high-end supermarket.
So after seeing and tasting the range, and with an extra mouth to feed this year, we’re going to be shopping at Lidl this Christmas and here’s why.
5 reasons I’ll be shopping at Lidl this Christmas
1. Their Prosecco has been ranked among the best to buy in the UK. According to the Evening Standard, Lidl’s Allini Prosecco Treviso Frizzante is up there with offerings from the likes of Harrods and Waitrose – and it’s only £5.25!!
2. They do not one but three types of artisan gin. And you can get spice kits to make cocktails out of them too. Of course I had to try them out at home, for research purposes of course.
3. They’ve got the world’s first two-year matured Christmas pudding (£11.99). The ingredients, including Turkish raisins and Greek currants, have been infusing for 24 months and if you’re a Christmas pud fan like me you’re going to love this.
A post shared by Natalie Brown (@confessionsofacrummymummy) on
4. The chocolates are to die for. From fondant filled chocolates to champagne truffles and stockings stuffed with sweets for the kids, there’s something to suit everyone who’ll be visiting your house this Christmas.
5. The food looks – and tastes – like posh food but without the price tag. In fact it is posh food. There’s beef wellington, fancy pork pies, a really good vegetarian range and a leg of Spanish ham that comes on a stand with a special knife all for a fraction of the price you might expect.
Are you fans of Lidl? Where do you usually do your Christmas shop and could you be persuaded to give Lidl a go? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Panel, a group of parent bloggers who have volunteered to review products, services, events and brands for Mumsnet. I have not paid for the product or to attend an event. I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity. I have received a voucher in exchange for this post.
Your pictures are making me hungry! The Christmas pud and the chocolates look divine! We tend to do an online shop at one of the bigger supermarkets, although we also use Aldi. Unfortunately, we don’t have very easy access to a Lidl, so rarely visit.
Just popping back to from the #FamilyFun linky 🙂
The Christmas Pudding and all the lovely Christmas food looks lovely and reasonably priced too! We’ll be heading down to see as well x #FamilyFun
I only pop in Lidl now and then, but after seeing those chocolates I might have to pop in more often!
#FamilyFun
I do mine all round, I’ve had the Lidl Christmas pudding the last 2 years which was good #TwinklyTuesday
I went to Lidl for the first time last week….I haven’t been for years and I loved it! £2.49 for a nice bottle of wine and I loved the bakery part! I’m popping back later this week to get more wine and a few things. hehehe
Ooh looks fab! I usually shop online too as its so much easier and less hassle! I usually do my Christmas shop at Iceland but i would definitely consider Lidl 🙂
#TriedTested
You won me over with the gin!!! I am a bit of an Aldi fan so will definitely be taking a look at Lidl !!! #FamilyFunLinky
Those chocolates look yummy and I will definitely be stocking up on the bargain Prosecco too. #familyfun
Hi, you have to love Lidl I need to find the G & T kit and that gluten free Christmas pudding #TwinklyTuesday
Always go to Aldi & Lidl. Christmas is no exception.
I absolutely love Lidl’s Christmas food! Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested
I couldn’t agree with you more. Our main grocery shopping is mainly done in Lidl every week. And this also applies to Christmas. Their deluxe range is always fabulous. #triedtested
You had me at prosecco then I read on to Gin and I am sold. Really though, I do need to give Lidl some more consideration for Christmas this year, I don’t know why I don’t really. Thanks for joining us at #familyfun
We don’t tend to shop at Lidl but a recent toy event persuaded otherwise #FamilyFunLinky
I love Lidl – like you I buy most stuff in the online shop for ease but I love looking round and picking up bits and bobs when I go down there for nappies! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
I am now going to checkout Lidl’s Christmas range 🙂 #triedtested
Wow, such lovely looking food here, the chocolates look amazing. Lidl have really raised their game! #kcacols
I don’t regularly shop at at Lidl more of an aldi girl, but I do like to pop in to see what they have. I might have to make a trip this xmas it all looks so good #kcacols
Wow the food looks and sounds gloriously scrummy. I’ve tried Aldi a few times but I really miss my familiar branded items. I’m also so used to Asda’s layout now it’s just easier. That said if I lived in a town where Aldi was the only shop (as Asda is here) then I’m sure I’d soon get used to it.
Wow the food looks and sounds gloriously scrummy. I’ve tried Aldi a few times but I really miss my familiar branded items. I’m also so used to Asda’s layout now it’s just easier. That said if I lived in a town where Aldi was the only shop (as Asda is here) then I’m sure I’d soon get used to it.
Thanks for linking up #KCACOLS
the lidl gin is lovely and i’ll def be picking a few bits up in there this xmas! #KCACOLS
We do all our shopping at Lidl. I bloody love it they and they’ll have wooden toys next week! #kcacols
I have shopped in Lidls before but always end up in Aldis’ haha. But I do like Lidl with some items! #KCACOLS
[…] don’t mean for the whole morning (although if you need to sleep off excesses of the night before I’m not judging). I mean longer than the dreaded 5am wake-up […]