We took £10 to the Edinburgh Christmas Market food stalls to see what we could get

With less than a month to go until Christmas, Edinburgh is truly getting in the spirit, and what better way to feel festive than a visit to its iconic Christmas market.

As a reporter at Edinburgh Live, I decided to join in on the fun but give myself an added challenge - trying to see how much I could get my hands on for only £10.

After the cost of living crisis and high inflation, my £10 certainly limited my ability to choose from the abundance of food they had to offer.

READ MORE: Notorious Edinburgh stalker used fake social media accounts to terrorise woman

READ MORE: Harry Potter fans flock to new Edinburgh store created by film graphic designers

I ventured to the market at 11am on a Wednesday morning, meaning I had the pleasure of looking round the stalls at my own leisure before the crowds began to pick up.

As always, the market was full of stalls displaying the most beautifully hand crafted jewellery, homemade baubles and stocking fillers - not forgetting the food and drink.

Just because the snow from Saturday is gone, doesn't mean its icy chill has left. As I wandered through the market it got to a point I could no longer feel my fingers so I opted to get a hot beverage, but not forgetting the task at hand of course.

I was craving a hot chocolate and so I scoured trying to find the cheapest, there seemed to be varied prices across the market from as little as £4.80 all the way to a shocking £9.50 in the world's tiniest cup.

For £4.80 I snapped up a hot chocolate from Hector and Harriet Luxury Chocolate and Coffee in which it did not fail to heat me up - for about five minutes before the cold got to me again.

Although it was good, I was particularly craving a Baileys hot chocolate however they cost from around £7 to £10! That would have set me back too much.

I continued on my wander and had a look at what souvenirs/goodies I could pick up, staying on theme with me being absolutely freezing, I noticed when I walked into the market there was a stall on the right hand side selling socks and gloves for £5 or 3 for £10.

There was also pretty bracelets for £6 or 2 for £10, which would make a lovely gift for a family member or friend. The stall beside it was selling personalised Christmas baubles for £10. Unfortunately I could not purchase any as I would go over budget.

As I worked up an appetite and my budget sitting at £5.20 I went to go and see what I could get to eat. The food options available did not disappoint, with everything from burgers, pizza, mac and cheese, and even a Yorkshire pudding wrap - but again too expensive.

That being said, all I managed to eat was chips that were so plain I could feel my taste buds crying for flavour. I bought them for £5 from Pizza Pitch which in their defence, they didn't lack in portion size. I took full advantage of the free ketchup and salt that sat beside the stall to liven it up a bit.

In total I spent £9.80 at the market, with only 20p left to spend I called it a day and reflected on how I could have spent my money better. A hot chocolate that only kept you warm for five minutes and a box of plain chips was all my £10 could get me.

My advice to anyone looking to do the market on a budget however, is look for different prices of the same item at different stalls or just expect to spend lots.

Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.