I haven’t done my Christmas food shop yet. How worried should I be?

[RUOKHon]

Until earlier this week I had no idea what our plans were for Christmas. We were going to go to MIL, then she was coming to us, my dad and brother and SIL were going to come to us, now they’re not, etc.

Anyway, now plans are finally decided I need to do my food shop. Obviously there are no delivery slots available now so I was just going to brave the supermarket on Tuesday or Wednesday. Am I mad?

Go in the evening if you can. Late evening like 9/10pm. It's much less busy than in the mornings, everyone has the same idea about going early! Plus loads of places get a late evening delivery so should be well stocked too.

Meh. Have only really just thought about it. Need to go to supermarket today anyway so will buy some stuff - we have a small fridge and limited freezer space. Dad’s got a turkey but we could do with a chicken just as well, and might do so. Will wing the rest of it and shops will reopen in the following days so I reckon it’ll be OK even if it’s a hodge-podge. Not like a usual year with loads to cater for so I’m sure it’ll be fine. Can’t be properly arsed to worry about it.

Going early Monday morning-3 different shops with a toddler 🙈not wrapped presents yet, hoping to later today. If I can get presents wrapped, clean tomorrow and big food shop Monday I’ll be happy as can then just chill a little watching Xmas films. Dp doesn’t finish work until Xmas Eve at 4 this year, so it’s all down to me

I'm going on Tuesday. We are veggie so just veg needed. Cupboards are full, more importantly so is the alcohol pantry!

Well I wasn't worried that I hadn't shopped up until I got the track and trace notification to isolate until Boxing Day.

Unless you have very specific requirements then most likely it’ll be fine.

You may not get the exact meat or cut you want (you probably will though) but you will get something that goes nice on the dinner plate. You may not get a specific for example pigs in blankets but you will get some or the bacon and sausage to make them.

To be honest the last three years I’ve been to both Morrison’s and m&s on Christmas Eve to pick up fresh pudding and milk and croissants and both are always packed with everything needed to cook a Christmas dinner plus snacks and cheese etc galore! I sometimes wonder wether to wait so I get everything fresh the day before but I get a full weeks shopping delivered anyway so don’t.

The sum total of my Christmas food shop is 2 packets of sour cream and chive pretzels from Aldi because I love them , so that’s me sorted!

Me neither, I’m going early Tuesday, Sainsbury’s are doing x10 nectar points if you shop 21/22, if you have the voucher 👍

Our local supermarket is open 6am to midnight next week. I might go super early on Monday and get it all done.

Opposablethumbs That really sucks for you. I hope you can get some bits dropped off by someone? Are you isolating alone?
Hope you can make the best of it

I am going after 8pm tonight. Hopefully it won't be too busy and I'm hoping they have everything in stock.

What a nightmare opposable! I hope you get something sorted. We are only feeding ourselves and the kids are never too fussed by Xmas Dinner as they stuff themselves with chocolate so no real pressure. I'd have probably been more organised if we had guests.

We have a tin of biscuits and some cheese, it'll be fine

I do everything last minute, it's not Christmas without a bit of panic

I went at 7.30am on Thursday and did most of mine. decided to get a frozen turkey as I don't want the stress of worrying about getting one last minute. The shop was lovely - very few people in - and those that were keeping their distance. Had a lovely chat with the lady on the checkout and he said early mornings are always quietest.

I will have to go back maybe on Tuesday to get the veg and trifle stuff, but other than that I am done, so hopefully will be in and out quickly.

Supermarkets near us are opening later so partner’s going when most will be in bed (including me )

www.thegrocer.co.uk/sourcing/british-food-trapped-in-europe-as-port-chaos-spreads/651282.article

Mind you, this is worrying... with the just in time system I don't know whether the impact of these delays will be felt in supermarkets in the last couple of days before Christmas or whether the stuff currently sitting in lorries would be intended for afterwards?

I was planning on getting meat and veg at my local farm. I'm sure I'll be able to get some things dropped off. My DDs will be upset not to see grandma though, and MIL will now be alone.

Not very. Unless your whole Christmas revolves around one specific ingredient and even then it's early.

have spent Christmas eve scouring the supermarkets for cranberries and the last packet of chestnuts

We ordered turkey and ham for collection 23rd because mum was getting twitchy. Turn out we now have covid and have to isolate so it's a good job.

I don't normally worry as it's one meal and the shops are all open, use the scan and shop to avoid the checkout queue.

I really don’t understand all the angst and handwringing over going to the supermarket for Christmas food (unless you are very vulnerable or shielding). Just get your arse up extra early and go to the supermarket when it opens - you’ll be surprised at how quiet it is

I still have to do mine. Online shopping has been a bit of a disaster in the past, so I'm planning to just do it in person, since I always end up having to nip to shops anyway. Went to sainsburys last year at about 8PM on the 23rd and it was really quiet! I think most people go early, but evening shopping is less popular.

We have a tub of Heroes and a tub of Roses and some pigs in blankets.

Doing a normal food shop today and doing the Christmas one on Wednesday. It’s hard trying to juggle it so that the food doesn’t go off/out of date before Christmas.

I’m doing Asda today and M&S and Aldi on Wednesday. There’s only 3 of us and a greedy little puppy.