OKTOBERFEST starts in Munich today – and you can join in the fun even if you can’t make it to Germany.
From beer and sausages, to oompah music, you can gather all you need for a Bavarian-style revel in your own home.
Here are great-value ways to get the party started . . .
STRIKE THE RIGHT NOTE: Kick things off with the best German music. From oompah bands to Euro-pop, let loose to Oktoberfest tunes. To save time, tune into Spotify for a playlist. You’ll find lists including Oktoberfest Hits and Traditional Oktoberfest.
DRESS THE PART: The traditional Oktoberfest costume for men is leder-hosen — leather shorts — with braces. For women it is a dirndl carnival dress for women.
You can give your own outfit a go with items you have at home. Wear plain shorts with knee-high socks and sandals. Or find a below-the-knee skirt and team with a blouse and apron.
Waistcoats, corsets and braces will take the outfits up a notch.
BEER WE GO: Drink is a staple of Oktoberfest, and serving Bavarian beer is a must.
Tipples from Munich brewers include Paulaner, available at Tesco, and Hofbrau, from Morrisons. At Tesco, get a Paulaner Munich Hell Lager at £2.35 per 500ml bottle — or buy three for £6 with a Clubcard, saving £1.05.
ENJOY A BANGER: For cheap and cheerful party food, sausages and potatoes are the way to go.
German bangers include Bratwurst and Bockwurst. Try a pack of six Classic Bratwurst, £2.79, or a jar of Bramwells Bockwurst, £2.09, both from Aldi.
You can also get a German-style Smoked Selection from Tesco for £3 or two for £5 with a Clubcard, including smoked cheese and salami.
Serve with mashed potato or German potato salad — see the recipe on the Lidl website.
Serve with a side dish of Hengstenberg Bavarian-style sauerkraut, priced £1.85 at Sainsbury’s.
GET set for steaming stews with a 3.3l cast-iron casserole dish from Habitat down from £35 to £23.33.
SAVE: £11.67
SOOTHE autumn chills with the Simple Everyday Pom Pom Throw from B&M, down from £5 to £2.50.
SAVE: £2.50
SLICE the price of a meal out at Pizza Express, where you can buy one classic pizza and get another for £1. Valid until Sep 26.
For more details see pizza express.com.
Method Wild Rhubarb Anti-Bacterial Spray, £3.75 from Tesco, smells so good. But you can clean up with the Fabulosa Wild Rhubarb Disinfectant Spray, 89p at B&M.
SAVE: £2.86
KIDS aged nine and under can visit Drayton Manor theme park for free this month – with events including the Vikings Festival this weekend and next – saving up to £55. Book at draytonmanor. co.uk.
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