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Original poster

Christmas grocery shopping at midnight

61 replies

RosieLancs · 23/12/2019 16:27

Would I be crazy to go grocery shopping at midnight tonight and is it likely to bed busy?
Our Christmas plans have changed last minute (long boring story about family illnesses etc) and we now find outself staying home for Christmas Day.

Our local Tesco and Asda are both open all night, I went past earlier but it looked packed and I'm still recovering from the flu so a packed store is the last thing I wanted to face.

Would it be a really bad idea to head to the supermarket at about midnight tonight?
My 17 year old will be back from babysitting by then and my 10 year old twins are really excited about the prospect of going to the supermarket at that time of night.

OP posts:
Didthatreallyhappen2 · 23/12/2019 16:28

Brilliant idea. Have fun!

Chocolatemouse84 · 23/12/2019 16:30

If you have the 17 year old at home, I'd leave them to babysit and go alone to get the shop in. Nothing wrong with a midnight shop though if that's what you prefer to do.

Ribeebie · 23/12/2019 16:30

It's a great idea. We did this last year. It was really quiet and nothing was out of stock! Sshh though - don't tell everyone or they will all go! Wink

Thestrangestthing · 23/12/2019 16:31

I remember my mum toom me to do this at about 10. Younger brother was in bed and stayed with my dad. It was exciting. At the age I am now, I'm not excited about the prospect of it but it's not a bad idea as it will be much quieter. Although I hate to be part of the reason for people who working in supermarkets having to work crazy shifts at this time of year.

Soconfusedandlost · 23/12/2019 16:31

My mum works support staff in a hospital and works nights over Christmas. She does hers in her break at about 2. She loves it cos it's quiet and the staff are really friendly cos there's no one there

Pilot12 · 23/12/2019 16:31

There will be boxes and cages everywhere as the staff restock all the shelves. It should be quiet, you'll just have to drive your trolley around all the stuff. DP and I did it a few years ago and got everything we wanted and no queues at the checkout. You won't get any alcohol at that time though.

Oysterbabe · 23/12/2019 16:32

It won't be busy.
The supermarket by us closes at 10 and I often go at 9:30 once the kids are in bed. It's great.

nevermorelenore · 23/12/2019 16:32

I once got up at 4am and did my big shop at the big 24 hour Tesco. It was great! Basically had a supermarket to myself.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 23/12/2019 16:40

I'd be worried about stock - our Sainsbury's and Asda look like they've been attacked by locusts, and they aren't restocking the Christmas stuff anymore.

If yours is better, go for it. I'm really surprised at ours; I've never seen them run out of anything much before. They seem to have had the Christmas stock out since Halloween but have sold out of most of it half way through December.

MidnightCircus · 23/12/2019 16:44

You are being unreasonable (Because I don't want anyone else going at that time!). I am kidding of course, I work retail so genuinely haven't had time off to go. So my options are 6pm tonight, tomorrow or some silly hour (24 hour Tesco). I feel so sorry for the staff, and for encouraging the shop staying open later, but I am thinking later tonight is best. Christmas eve shopping is never fun

JulietTango · 23/12/2019 16:44

The re-stockers start at 10 and finish at 6.
I usually go at 4am

Bubblysqueak · 23/12/2019 16:47

I've done it and it's great, usually not too busy.

Angeldust747 · 23/12/2019 16:48

The in laws routinely go at that time. There are lots of big trolleys in the aisles re stocking but hardly any people

Elbeagle · 23/12/2019 16:48

I would but I wouldn’t take the 10 year olds... leave them at home with the 17 year old.

NewtonPulsifer · 23/12/2019 16:49

We’ve done it before, only thing we could not get was sprouts, and we weren’t that bothered. Only a few guests like them and no one missed them

CremeEggThief · 23/12/2019 16:50

YANBU. Far more sensible than getting up and going at stupid o' clock (early morning), as so many seem to do.

Blacksackunderthetreesfreeze · 23/12/2019 16:50

It’s a great idea. I don’t want to as my sleep is so messed up anyway but it’s a great idea!

Ponoka7 · 23/12/2019 16:50

My DD's going when her DP finishes work at 11pm. It's going to be manic tomorrow, so it makes sense to go tonight.

There's no reason to not take the twins.

DeadBod · 23/12/2019 16:52

Shift worker here. I often pop to the supermarket on my break at work during a night shift. As pp have said, there are cages and stock all over but easy to navigate around. Customers have to use to self service tills but they might change that over Christmas.
All year round there are an odd mix of people doing their shopping in the early hours including people with children so I can imagine there will be plenty of people at this time of year.

LloydColeandtheCoconuts · 23/12/2019 16:52

I used to go with my mum in my late teens. It was great. Stress free and quiet. Enjoy

bridgetreilly · 23/12/2019 16:53

I'd go, but on my own. It'll be quick and easy, and if there are a few items not on the shelves, you still won't be fighting through crowds to pick up alternatives.

Lockheart · 23/12/2019 16:54

We go at about 9 or 10pm to a huge out of town Asda superstore and it's always pleasantly deserted at that time of night. A few shoppers around but it's great being able to whizz round and pick up everything you want without the crowds. It's become a tradition for us to do this every year now.

Fr0g · 23/12/2019 16:59

I used to love it when local big sainsburys was open all night - I only needed to go about once a month, and given the lack of other customers, it wasn't profitable enough.
Probably slightly busier this time of year, but any time after 9pm will be relatively calm,
You'll probably start to find good reductions as well.
As PP has said, they may not have an all night alcohol licence - check first, of factor in that you may need to go out tomorrow if you need to buy wine. (or other alcohol)

ReanimatedSGB · 23/12/2019 17:03

Sounds like a fab idea OP and might well be fun.
(and ignore any waa, waa, waa about how awful it is that retail staff have to work nights. Lots of people work nights. Some do that because it absolutely suits their lifestyles and/or the money's better.)

WarmSausageTea · 23/12/2019 17:04

The main drawback for me is that at our local huge Tesco, you can’t self-scam after 9. If you usually self-scan, maybe check with the supermarket before heading out.