Welcome to Day 5 of our 10 Days of Christmas Spirit countdown! As the big day draws closer, today’s guide looks at what Cypriot households can expect to spend on Christmas dinner, focusing on prices, traditional food choices and tips for festive preparations, whether you’re hosting the whole family, or just your nearest and dearest.
Christmas dinner prices in Cyprus are expected to remain close to last year’s levels, as consumers enter the final stage of shopping for the festive season, guided by tradition, cost and quality.
With Christmas just days away, supermarkets and butcher shops are reporting increased demand, as Cypriot households prepare to host family and friends at home.
Traditional choices dominate the Christmas dinner
Speaking on the programme Alpha Enimerosi, butcher shop director Neofytos Neofytou said consumers remain largely loyal to traditional options, with pork and lamb souvla continuing to dominate Christmas dinner tables.
Chicken and other Cypriot delicacies also maintain their place, while turkey is gradually declining in popularity. Mr Neofytou attributed this to the demanding cooking process and the fact that turkey is not considered a traditional Cypriot product.
Modern options alongside tradition
In recent years, more modern options have been added to Christmas dinner choices, particularly among younger households who prefer to cook at home. These include marinated meats and imported steaks, although the core structure of the festive meal remains unchanged.
Prices and availability
Regarding Christmas dinner prices, particularly for lamb, Mr Neofytou said they are moving at approximately the same levels as last year. He also reassured consumers that there will be sufficient availability of Cypriot meat, despite ongoing challenges in the livestock sector.
Advice for households
Experts advise early preparation and pre-orders from midweek before Christmas, to ensure better service and product freshness.
They also stress the importance of proper storage and patient cooking, especially when preparing souvla. Consumers are encouraged to ask their butcher about slaughter dates and the suitability of each type of meat.
Beyond the meat
While meat remains the centrepiece of the Cypriot Christmas dinner and the main cost driver, households also factor in spending on side dishes, traditional sweets and festive staples. However, industry representatives note that meat prices continue to play the most decisive role in shaping overall Christmas dinner costs.
As part of SigmaLive’s 10 Days of Christmas Spirit series, upcoming features will also look at Christmas baking trends and prices, with a focus on local confectioners. Readers can also find SigmaLive’s guide to festive wine and food pairings as Day 4 of the ongoing series.
Also read: 10 Days of Christmas Spirit: Day 1
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