When are you doing your food shop?

[redpickle]

I always seem to be getting 'bits' on Christmas Eve. I don't want to this year - want a lazy, shop free day. What's the earliest you can go and get fresh stuff that will last? I need to do Lidl, Sainsburys and butchers.

Just wondered what peoples plans are - and do you go during the day or evening?

[TheHappyCamper]

I'd say easily the 22nd or 23rd.

I have been buying stuff every week (stuff that will keep) to spread the cost, but will get veggies, cheese, cream, etc on 22nd I think. If there's anything unavailable, I can pop out on 23rd. I hate shopping on xmas eve - I want to go for a long walk on the beach and eat fish and chips instead!

[popcornpaws]

Usually go on the morning of the 23rd, never xmas eve, veg are much better quality in the winter to start with so there is really no need to wait till the last minute, they will stay fresh.
This year I'm getting it delivered on the 23rd but I'm also working later that day so if anything is short delivered i will pick it up when i finish work.
Xmas eve (apart from when I'm working) is not for shopping! in my opinion anyway.

[Purplecircle]

Last year I went to Waitrose when it opened on Christmas Eve and got all the fresh stuff with no hassle. I really did only need fruit and veg though. I was there for 7am and having brekkie in the cafe by 7:45
Everything else was bought in advance.

[winkywinkola]

I will go late in the evening on the 22nd or 23rd. I absolutely detest the crush and the hysteria about the shops closing for one day. I avoid it at all costs.

[JuniperTisane]

My delivery is booked for the morning of tues 23rd. My shopping usually arrives on a tues morning so it will be just a normal shop with a normal amount of fresh food as its just us, no catering to anybody else.

[NoLongerJustAShopGirl]

I feel so sorry for shop staff that have to work til 7pm on Christmas Eve (Asda near us is advertising it as a great thing!) - so I refuse to shop on Christmas eve at all.22nd/23rd is fine for fresh stuff to last til the day after boxing day...

We go 8am 22nd if possible - then any food "twitching" can be done on the 23rd

[bryonyelf]

My delivery is coming from sainsburys between 10 and 11 on 23rd. Still need to add a few bits to my trolly though. DH can tackle M&S when he finishes work on 23rd himself.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Next Friday for a Waitrose shop (it's about 8 miles away so I'll drop the DC at school and go straight there, might have coffee in the cafe too )

Then either Monday or Tuesday at Sainsburys (Nectar Point shop ).

DM,DF,DBro and DSil arrive on Wednesday, I can send my Dad out for bread (he gets like a little Jack Russell Terrier if he's kept indoors )

[FurryDogMother]

3 deliveries lined up - booze on Dec 19th, main shop on Dec 21st (including frozen turkey crown), fresh veg on Dec 23rd. Not going near a supermarket on foot!

Until last year I used to leave it until Xmas Eve to buy a fresh turkey and the veg - I found the turkeys were often half price if I went late enough, and there were always some left. Bit of a gamble though!

[marne2]

Done mine online to be delivered on the 23rd but I need to pop to Iceland to get some party food and I need to get a turkey.

[aylesburyduck]

I'm going on 23rd for our bits for our Christmas dinner. DP is on nights over Christmas and so am not doing a trad dinner as such.

I was going to get it delivered but due to a glitch distracted by something sparkly no doubt I missed the chance to book a slot.

[SanityClause]

I always get Ocado delivered on the morning of the 23rd. That way, if I forget something, or the make a bizarre replacement, I can duck to the local sainsburys and pick it up.

[bigbluestars]

Oh has holidays left so finishes up on the 16th- not back until the 4th. I can work as I please (self employed).

OH also loves shopping for food and cooking, so between te two of us it will be easy- although we are cooking for lots of people over the christmas period.

[Follyfoot]

Well, the bread sauce and stuffing ingredients were bought and made up last week - in the freezer now, along with the turkey. The potatoes for the roasties will be par-boiled tomorrow then frozen, as will the parsnips and carrots. Did this for the first time last year and it was soooo much easier, and everything tasted just as good, and perhaps the roasties are even nicer done this way.

We'll have a veg box delivered on the Sunday before Christmas for the other vegetables so with a bit of luck, there will be no need to bother shopping any more (hurray).

[anyoldname76]

I'm going Iceland on 21st, then will do my main shop on 23rd, picking the turkey up on Christmas eve

[starsandunicorns]

Fridge stuff on the 23rd after work working till 4pm on xmas eve have xmas box with biccys posh cripes in etc a bit added each week

[HollyJollyXmas]

Usually do my Xmas food shop online to arrive on eve of 23rd. Didn't do it this year, though. I fancied braving the shops myself

I'm doing a shop in Aldi first thing on the 22nd for veg and basics and then a shop in Waitrose first thing on 23rd for meat and nice stuff

I will probably still need to pop out for a few 'bits' on Xmas Eve

[velocityofrudolph]

I'm getting mine delivered on the 22nd, that way I have time to get to the local shops if anything is unavailable. I hate going on Christmas Eve so always aim to have it finished by the 23rd at the latest

[BiddyPop]

Getting a delivery on Thursday 18th with most stuff.

We'll be on the main shopping street on Christmas Eve as I have to work, so will get Turkey, nibbles and any last minute things then.

Am hoping to avoid shops other thn that for the next 10 days.

[dreamingofsun]

i did mine in september, getting a waitrose delivery on the tuesday. if i had to go into the supermarket i think i'd go in the evening on mond or tues.....so i missed all the oap's staggering around looking at each individual packet and clogging isles

[Dionysuss]

DH and I traditionally go late night on the 23rd at our 24h store. Mil babysits and we go when they're all in bed.

[clary]

I am picking up the Christmas bird and gammon from the farmer on Dec 23, and on the same day will go to the fab pork butcher in the town in question to get sausages, bacon, ham and pork pie.

Will probably get green veg, salad, fruit, bread and cream that day too. Or maybe on the Monday.

Obv tins, baking stuff, root veg, store cupboard things and anything frozen will be got before. I always seem to either have miles too much salad and bread or not enough by Boxing Day . Will freeze some rolls etc and probably stroll up to the local Co-op on Chr Eve (which I otherwise spend luxuriously preparing all the food) for a fresh loaf of bread. And 3 random things I realise I have forgotten

[Mousefinkle]

I'd say you can get away with getting it as early as the 20th depending on what you're buying, you could get the bulk of the fresh stuff then and if there's anything slightly fresher that would go off go back on the 22nd or 23rd for it.

I get the alcohol, chocolates, crisps etc from ocado, it's being delivered on Thursday. Then go out and get the fresh stuff usually the 21st/22nd. Its still a nightmare then because schools have broken up already but I figure it's less chaotic than Christmas Eve! Never brave any store on Christmas Eve...

[mabelbabel]

I love shopping on Christmas eve - usually first thing. Shops are deserted!