Christmas lunch should cost R324 for the family but some pay R2,500 ... per person

What is a sensible sum to spend on a Christmas meal? R324 for the family, says Statistics South Africa.

This meal includes:

• 1kg leg of lamb for R138;
• A bottle of red wine for R61;
• 4kg of potatoes for R40;
• 1kg of carrots for R11; and
• R74 for pies.

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This is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November, which rose from 5.1% in October to 5.2% in November.

But, some South Africans will be spending more than this on their Christmas lunch. A whole lot more.

Cape Town's Mount Nelson Hotel is offering the following options:

• Lunch in the Sherwood Room for R1,950 a person which includes pan-roasted springbok loin, peppered duck, black forest gâteau and mince pies with tea and coffee;
• A buffet at the Oasis Bistro for R1,200 a person; and
• A buffet in the ballroom for R1,420 an adult and R650 for a child. 

In Johannesburg, the Four Seasons Westcliff Hotel is offering a Christmas lunch with five-course meal that includes langoustine carpaccio, sea bass with fennel, oxtail consommé, turkey with pistachio stuffing and Christmas cake for R1,600 a person. 

In Durban, the Oyster Box hotel will offer three different buffets from R2,200 to R2,500 a person with live music and a welcome beverage.