About 250 patients will receive $8, up 50c on last year and $1 on 2008.
The award has been distributed to Christmas patients since 1934 from a bequest of James Richmond, proprietor of Richmond's Scotia Hotel.
Healthcare Otago Charitable Trust administrator Murray Bell said patients would receive the bequest on Christmas Eve, and those admitted on Christmas Day would be sent it by post.
Wakari Hospital, which has longer-term patients, opted to spend the amount on Christmas festivities, Mr Bell said.
While it had not kept up with inflation, the bequest's face value was the biggest in its history.
For the first time, the trust is publicising the sizeable contribution of the fund's investment adviser, Perpetual, without which the amount would be "token", Mr Bell said.
Perpetual trust consultant Kevin O'Sullivan said the Perpetual Charitable Fund of Otago topped up the amount, which otherwise would be $2-$3, because of the bequest's historical significance.
"It's one of those nice little things that should continue."
Dunedin Hospital and Southland Hospital patients will share the same Christmas meals this year.
As part of the district health board merger, since April, Southland Hospital has been serviced from Dunedin Hospital's kitchen.
Options for Christmas lunch include roast turkey with roast potatoes and pumpkin, buttered minted new potatoes, baby carrots, peas, or braised turkey with kumara mousse and lightly roasted pumpkin.
Vegetarians can have rice and nut balls seasoned with coriander and mild Asian spices, encased in a nut crumble, with satay sauce and vegetables.
Desserts will be traditional: pavlova, Christmas pudding or fruit salad.
