To think that Xmas food shopping isn't a sodding family day out?

Agreed, OP's post is kinda like when you've got a day off and are in town or whatever then complain about the public being in town.

"Shouldn't everybody be at work?"

Christmas supermarket shopping might be more pleasant without a minority of people charging around on their military operation with a face on, efficiently chucking predetermined items in their trolley as fast as possible while tutting and moaning at the existence of other people. It's nobody else's fault they feel the need to complete this mission during the busiest few hours of the year.

I may be lucky in that mine don't ask for much, not for there and then anyway! And definitely no scoffing half the food shop before it's even bought! Maybe DH and I have spawned weirdos. 😂 They get excited about shopping and know they won't get fancy stuff if they arse around, so they restrain themselves from chaos until it's time to unpack!

Food shopping at Christmas is not fun period. Children are allowed just as much space as you and I.

If you find it stressful (I do!) then have you thought about delivery or click & collect? It's a lot more straight forward and you don't have to deal with so many crowds.

You can't change what other people do, but you can change what you choose to do

Probably not a day out. Not really enough to do - there's only so many types of cheese to peruse. Some people like goimg together and chosing things - allowing their children - even teens - to chose things.

Not everyone is stressed out their skull about doing the christmas shop. Some people aren't even a bit relaxed so don't mind having to wait till Once-A-Year Dan is inspecting the different choices I peanuts.

I hate queuing and I hate crowds lol!

My memory of the DC in supermarkets is more about them torturing me for things I didn't plan to buy. And seeing other children in trollies eating treats that hadn't yet been paid for. Mine weren't allowed to do that!

If both of you can supermarket shop efficiently, you're not part of the problem. Depends how well-behaved/efficient the kids are.😁

Ocado stocks M&S.

I hate parents who think shops are an extension to the playground for their kids.

Shops have never been or will be playgrounds! If they want to ride their scooters, there is a place for this. It’s called outside!

I don’t mind children in shops providing they behave themselves by not running, screaming, mucking around.

I have better things to do in my time than discussing my shopping with my DH. Sometimes we go together, he does his, I do mine.

If you could stick with online shopping yourself and stop crowding the shop so we can shop in peace, with the kids following, that would be great. Thank you.

There nothing wrong with kids in supermarkets. If you don’t want to have to deal with the public in public then shop online or click and collect.
if you don’t want to do what because you can to have a look in person then you can hardly moan about others.

When I was home in the UK the other day, we went into the nearest city and it was definitely very busy. I can absolutely see how it could be stressful, don't get me wrong. The queues are my main gripe! It's nice seeing the DC excited about the food and other bits though. I can remember the excitement myself so my nostalgic self gets more excited on their behalf haha!

We like to go together to pick things out. I think it’s just a given that shopping may be nuts at this time of year.

Okay, will add the supermarket to the list of places I've learned on MUMsnet that children aren't welcome.

I work in a shop - not a food/essentials shop more luxuries/gifts. It has been super busy since mid November and I agree with you OP. We sell nothing of interest for children /teens/dogs. But whole families come in , sometimes all standing in the queue together for one person to make a purchase, dithering about said purchase once theyve reached the register. Small children using the accessibility ramps to scooter or run up and down squealing. And then theres the dogs that won't stop barking! It makes a busy and quite stressfull time of year even more (unnecessarily) chaotic!

My parents are retired and they don’t shop together for food shopping 95% of the time.

I agree that there is no need for two parents, four kids, a grandparent to shop.

When supermarkets including my ex employer said to shop alone if you can, we got loads of excuses of why couples had to shop together “He carries the money” “I have a bad back and husband carries a basket” - the latter, use a trolley.

Actually if people shopped alone or smaller groups, they would save money by not giving into pestering DC wanting this, that and they other!

If only!!!

I don't go at all if I can help it. I needed a couple of bits in town yesterday so I went in after 4pm. Shops mostly closed at 5.

I liked it I suppose as a child but my childhood is a distant memory!

Can you food shop online at M&S anyway??

No, but if you can't summon enough grit to fill a basket full of shopping without flouncing, then time your shopping better.

Apparently so, as people are trying to police WHO goes shopping.

Yeah they invariably stop en masse to have a debate over what fucking trifle to get and are totally oblivious of blocking everyone else!

Totally agree. Always and at all times. One adult shops only. No kids. No spare adult. If this is their fun family time then god help them.
I hate tripping up over, mostly husbands, but the occasional useless wife that is standing clueless blocking aisles and getting in the way. The kids are actually less annoying although there’s always one that cries the whole way round.

Are we back to 2020 and what constitutes "need" when shopping?

One of us would have sat in the car while the other ran in and out.

Stuff the Christmas spirit - it's stressful shopping when it's so busy!!