I have to do my shopping tomorrow *cry*

[OnlyWantsOne]

Haven't had a chance to do it before. Done a few (and I mean 2) online.... The rest I have to do tomorrow

children are 8, 4 and 2....


Oh heck

[lolalotta]

Gulp... Good luck! xxx

[Thehedgehogsong]

Could you move xmas 2 days forward and shop on Boxing Day? Or just wrap up crap from around the house and pretend it's new? that's how much I hate crowded shopping centres

[curiousgeorgie]

What do you have to buy? Maybe there's somewhere you can get it all in one foul swoop...

[nikki1978]

Do you know exactly what you need to get? If not decide tonight and make a list with the shops where you will need to go. Then just move from shop to shop and keep going back to the car to dump stuff. I hope for your sake your partner is looking after the kids while you do this?

[JuniperTisane]

You have to go to specific shops with a list. Dive in and out, no unnecessary browsing. Maybe we can help you plan it?

[WankingInAWinterWonderland]

I have to go shopping tomorrow too.

My plan is to go with ds2 and grab the essentials then get out.

[confused79]

I've been out with partner a few times on christmas eve so he could do his crimbo shopping (I'd like to add mine is usually wrapped at this stage) and found its usually dead by the afternoon

[bumasbigasthetv]

Go early! I did today, was in and out before 11 and the crowds. Also click and collect

[Whensmyturn]

Spend this evening doing click and collects at Tesco and reserves at argos.

[306235388]

What do you need to buy ?

[CalamitouslyWrong]

John Lewis click and collect might be a great idea at this point. Between JL, tesco and Argos you should be able to get something for everyone! And you can just drop by and pick it up rather than rushing around the shops.

[Cooki3Monst3r]

I think the best option op is to pick 1 or 2 (3 max) shops to speed round. John Lewis is a favourite of mine - you can buy for everyone in there! And if it's not quite right they're good at taking things back. Alternatively, a big Sainsburys.

Get in for opening, pick up anything that will do and get out before 11am.

[FATEdestiny]

I've did this for several years when I was teaching - nothing for Christmas was done until we broke up from school. Sometimes that meant Christmas eve.

Argos is your friend.

I once did my entire present shop in one trip to Argos. Took about 1 hour. If it wasn't in stock at the Argos branch I was in, it wasn't bought.

[Cooki3Monst3r]

I don't think you can do Click & Collect for John Lewis now at such short notice. I've always been told it's next working day after 2pm. So if this was a normal week that would mean Thursday afternoon - xmas day!!

Maybe that's just my John Lewis.

[Cooki3Monst3r]

I agree with Fate's method - you have to be ruthless about this. Pick your shop/shops and buy whatever they've got. Not got what you want, get something else!

[CalamitouslyWrong]

I have ordered stuff at this time from JL and had a text message at about 8am telling me that it's ready to collect. I did it last night, in fact and picked something up today. In fact, I never have to wait until after 2 to collect it.

It might make a difference if you're trying to collect from a Waitrose, but its really not been an issue at our branch of JL.

[PrincessOfChina]

It's usually quiet on Christmas Eve. Or at least more like a normal Saturday.

[starfishmummy]

Get there early so you can park. If the shops aren't open there may be a coffee shop that is, so sit over a coffee and toast for breakfast while you work out which shops you are going to for what and in which order - I usually start at the furthest away and work back towards the car park.

[Titsalinabumsquash]

Make a list, see if you can get it all in a 24hr Tesco they sell most things.

Go in the wee hours. Get what you can then treat you and the kids in the new year if you end with your trolley a bit sparse, or if it's just gifts no food, click and reserve in Argos or similar and then just be brave and collect.

Good luck!

[Cooki3Monst3r]

I've clearly got a totally rubbish JL calamaitously. I always had my suspicions!

Good luck OP. If you have time, do tell us how you got on!

[Ktay]

Yes, if you order by 8pm a JL click and collect should work although not to all waitroses.

Good luck!

[CalamitouslyWrong]

We used to live near a truly abominable JL, so I understand the problem. I think our branch is pretty good. I'm always amazed by how quickly they process click and collect orders (and how easy it is to rock up, park right outside the click and collect door and then scarper).

Good luck OP. You'll be fine, if a bit busy tomorrow.

[Cooki3Monst3r]

I usually order my stuff to collect from Waitrose because they inevitable text me to say -some buggers nicked it-- they've lost it and then resend it direct to my house with no delivery charge!!