How to serve a 5-star Christmas feast (for a fraction of the price)

Brought to you by Lidl.

Christmas brings plenty of joy, laughter and good times, but ask anyone with a family and they'll confirm; it also comes with a hefty price tag.

From the Christmas Day dinner with all the trimmings, to the accompanying starters, desserts, wines and other drinks, the annual festive grocery shop can put a serious Santa-shaped dent in the family bank balance. This year however, savvy shoppers are packing their bags-for-life and heading to Lidl, where you can stock up on all the luxury treats everyone loves indulging in at this time of year... without spending a fortune. From the sumptuous turkey to those crispy goose fat roast potatoes, Lidl's Christmas menu is not just cheaper than its rivals, it's also five-star fancy. Here's what we're popping in our shopping trolley this December: PRE-DINNER NIBBLES: Deluxe Christmas Hand Cooked Crisps  With flavours like Gin & Juniper,  Pigs in Blankets and Goat's Cheese, Lidl have absolutely nailed it with their hand-cooked crisps this year. We predict these 150g sharing bags will disappear fast while your guests enjoy a tipple before dinner so stock up early. THE STARTER: Deluxe Christmas Crackers  A mouthwatering pastry roll filled with succulent pork and apple or venison with a redcurrant and balsamic sauce, Lidl's Deluxe Christmas Crackers are a tasty alternative to soup or salmon as a starter for €8.99. Vegetarians will love the Deluxe Vegetable Parcels (€3.99), which come in flavours such as Mushroom & Stilton, Spinach, Vintage Cheddar & Garlic and Mushroom, Brie & Cranberry. THE MAIN EVENT: Deluxe Fresh Irish Turkey Crown. Fresh Irish Turkeys in-store December 19th. See in-store for pricing.    THE SIDES: Crispy roast potatoes are par for the course at Christmas dinner. Lidl's DELUXE Roasting Potatoes with Goose Fat (€1.49) take all the stress out of the cooking - just pop them in the oven while you set the table (or pour a glass of wine!). Even guests who swear they don't like sprouts will change their tune when they try Lidl's Deluxe Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cranberry. The best bit? There's no fiddly preparation. Lidl's Honey Glazed Roast Parsnips are delicious with most meats (and a bargain at just €1.99) with no peeling and chopping necessary. The sweet, orange honey blossom flavour is always a huge hit with the kids too.THE DESSERT From Sherry Trifle to lemon cheesecake and everything in between, Lidl has everything you need to finish your family meal on a sweet note. Our advice? Choose a few different options for your dessert table and let your guests choose which to indulge in! See below the delicious Salted Caramel bombe for €2.49. THE CHEESE BOARD With cheeses of every description in the Lidl chilled cabinet, just one trip to your local store will set you up for weeks of gourmet snacking. Save the best board (choose a selection of blue cheese, sharp cheddar, a soft French brie and a semi-hard gruyere) to enjoy with wine after Christmas dinner. Oh... and don't forget the Deluxe Apple & Fig Chutney (€1.79), it's heavenly slathered on a cracker under your favourite variety of cheese. Share more this Christmas at Lidl. For the latest offers on sensational party food at your local store, visit the Lidl website.