To do a Christmas food shop in person on 23rd?

I go to M&S on 23rd every year at 6am and it's fine. Everything is fully stocked and the shop is always fairly quiet. I'm done and driving away by 6.30am.

I think you’ll be fine. Go earlier in the day? Then you can always go to other shops. Shelves are full on 23rd in my experience. Although people are grabbing the turkeys!

Christmas Eve is the best time to go as there is always so much food reduced in price.

You will be OK OP. I have done it myself, middle size town, with no knoen supply chain issues, and I always got my dinner items.
I would suggest you to go early morning, just to avoid the crowds and massive queues at the tills.

Much better to go early on 23rd than to rely on an online delivery which may have missing items or substitutions! At least in person if something is out of stock, you have control over a plan b.
Couple of years ago I had a disaster on
Christmas Eve with a failed Waitrose Deliver order which was going to be my main course for 14 people! It just didn't turn up and they said the supplier had staffing issues. Real nightmare and never again will I rely on an online order for a big event unless it's days in advance I can make a plan b!

@LostittoBostik believe it or not I always do my food shopping on christmas eve and have never had any bother getting what I want!! go for it! I also find it quieter!!

You'll have to go as early as possible, like 5am

I'd say crowds are the bigger issue. It seems like the supermarkets have got loads of mince pies this year, whenever I'm in Asda or Tesco, there are stacks of them, and they've been discounted too

You should be able to get a chicken tbh, but obviously I wouldn't risk the turkey, but not an issue for you

Have a lovely one x

I hate online food shopping.

I'm going for opening on 23rd to my local supermarket. I buy bits along the way throughout nov/Dec and get the last minute fresh things and household things on the 23rd.

It's always been fine. I don't really need to go early either but I like the excitement of it!

Before online shopping was a thing, my DH and I went to a huge super Tesco and had to wait 45 minutes in line to check out. Then one hour and a half to get out of the parking lot! We got the food but never ever again. I imagine things are different now with online but I want to be spending the days around Christmas with my family and not stressing out about getting the specific Christmas cake or turkey etc. I booked my slot late September for Dec 23. Still enough time if there's something missing/forgotten, but much less stress.
I don't understand how not having a delivery has saved you money? Surely the, what, £5 delivery is on par with the cost of petrol used? Not to mention the time involved.

There’s only 3 of us on Xmas Eve/Xmas Day. I’ve been buying bits like sauces, Elmleigh cream etc over the past few days. I’ve got a slot at Sainsbury’s on 23rd to pick up my veg pack and will collect turkey etc from our butcher on Xmas Eve. We’ve got an 11-12 collection slot on the 23rd but planning get there earlier for any last minute bits. A few years ago I ordered everything to pick up on the 23rd and had to pop out on the 24th for some more beers. The supermarket was stacked, I could have left all my food shopping until then!

You can certainly get all the mince pies / chocs / crackers etc now though. Do you have a garage or shed? Veg will keep well in a sealed box outside.

Put it this way: one year we had a second Christmas dinner with friends and I got everything I needed on 27 Dec

I got a turkey from M&S in a train station on Christmas Eve for £3.00… ! If you are open to what meat you have you will be fine.

I saw a ham joint for £32 in M&S yesterday. That’s absolutely insane. Who is paying them prices ?

You'll be fine so long as you get to the supermarket at 4am.

And then do the Organic Turkey Trot to grab your bird.

If you don't know what I'm talking about watch Grumpy Old Women at Christmas on YouTube - I watch it every year 😂

I did a lot today making sure any fridge stuff had a decent use by date on including the turkey crown which were thin in the ground. Bagged the last one in Sainsbo's (for today).

Will grab the rest after my last nightshift at 7am on Christmas Eve (expecting it to be a bit busy after this thread!) then my partner and I might take a walk to our nearest Waitrose in the eve to see if there are any bargains to be had.

I've got a shopping delivery slot booked at the weekend so that if anything isn't available I still have time to look in the shops on 23rd or 24th. I always get my shopping delivered each week so it isn't just because it is Christmas.

Why don't you go now and do the bulk of it then you just need the fresh stuff on the 23rd rather then a full shop

I always go first opening on the 24th. Weirdly enjoy it. I really hate the long Christmas build up so present shopping is done over mid Dec, then food is the last thing and that feels suitably Christmassy to me. I usually order the joint from farmers in advance but that’s because none of us love roast Turkey.

Im going 23rd, no online slots, literally my only option around my work shifts. If they dont have everything then we dont have it, it is what it is, but i cant shop any other day.

Everyone goes early to avoid the crowds, this creates crowds its quieter in the afternoon. Also remember supermarkets opening times will be different with them closing early Sunday some will open at midnight others won't reopen until around 8am

I go in the evening and it's usually quiet (everyone else going at 6/7am!).
The shelves are continually refreshed so you should be fine.

I'm going on 22nd, it should be fine

All teh shops will have loads in stock. You’ll be fine.