To think that shops are gonna be absolute carnage tomorrow.

[Meimeimei]

I've posted this for traffic.

I have bad anxiety with crowds and queues but I need to go into town tomorrow to pick up a few things from click and collect.

Obviously, news of maybe a national lockdown being announced on Monday.

Will people be flocking to the shops.

YABU - yes I'm going to do Christmas shopping tomorrow.
YANBU - No I'm not going to

I need to go food shopping today, I'm worried there will be nothing there's

Going by all the panic buyers in this thread, I'm guessing the shops at the end of the weekend will be full of sanitiser, loo rolls and food but empty of toys.

Have I missed something? Are we having another lockdown? Fuck sake.

@userxx only a rumour for now but it's in all the papers

Gosh I don't think I've shopped for presents in person for a good few years now, too busy. Online is much more convenient.

How on earth do people know what their children want this early? Mine change their minds constantly in the run up to Christmas so never know what I’m buying until late November. And always do everything online anyway.

@RishiMcRichface Love your username!! I suppose it's an excuse not to buy presents 🤷‍♂️. I honestly can't wait to see the back of this year, it's been truly shit.

R you going to meadowhall if so it's one way anyways

@butterpuffed

Going by all the panic buyers in this thread, I'm guessing the shops at the end of the weekend will be full of sanitiser, loo rolls and food but empty of toys.

@mammmamia exactly! In the Summer it's I love Paw Patrol, eat, sleep, breathe Paw Patrol. Oct, what's Paw Patrol.

Having just read the news headlines this morning, I can’t believe the first thing that pops into people’s minds is “I must dash out and do some Christmas shopping”. I mean really in the scheme of things, Christmas presents are so completely and utterly unimportant. I am just staggered!

Part of me wants to go and get birthday presents, a card and cake stuff for ds as it is at the end of November but I don’t know if I can face it. He is already sad about not being able to see anyone or do anything much on his birthday, I want it to be nice for him.

No, going shopping is the last thing I will be doing tomorrow.

If we're in lockdown over Christmas it will be me, DH and the cat. As long as we have some food to eat we'll be happy.

I got up early and ordered all mine on line. Kids are done now.

@Shinyletsbebadguys I did some shopping last week, entertainer had really good sales on in store and online! Got a toy DS wanted that should of been £50 for £8.

Am gobsmacked that people's first thoughts on hearing about a possible lockdown are to rush out and panic buy stocking fillers .

@GirlCrush

Anyone in retail.... you are doing a fantastic job!! The abuse is on a different level and it’s constant..... I’m a retail manager and manage a young team. They have been hit hard. A couple were due to head off this September to shiny new careers. All post phoned. On top of that and their parents redundancies they have to deal with customers constantly grumbling

So and has no mask on
One way system is confusing
Queue is too long
They won’t take cash
There’s no stock
Where are all the staff ( isolating, we are humans)
Why only 3 tills open ( to give space between cashiers)

And on it goes to the point they scream ‘YOU MISSED A BIT’ at the poor door Marshall cleaning trolleys!!!

Had enough too.... some of the U.K. public is vile

💐 Thank you to all Retail workers. I was stood outside in a que to get into a shop yesterday, in the rain, the customer in front inappropriately dressed for the occasion made such a fool of herself complaining loudly to the young girl on the door that the shop should provide cover for customers that have to wait if they only allow a few people in at a time. I had to speak out, along with the family next to me and defend the shop and point out the sign advising of the wait and to bring a coat and brolly. It wasn't nice or necessary. I imagine this happens frequently. Our daughter works in retail, and she's texted this morning to say customers have been queuing since 8.30 to get in. Thankfully her job will be safe of the next stage closes retail, I hope a good package is in place for anyone who will be affected by the forthcoming changes. Amazon will be rubbing there hands together with glee right now ( probably not those that work in the warehouses) I guessed this was coming and have purchased birthday gifts, cards, wrap and bags for November birthdays early as they were hard to get in the supermarkets first time around. Christmas gifts are bought for granddaughter and other children in the family already, same as every year. Adults not completed but plenty of time. I need to head to the shops for normal shopping today, but will leave it till after 6 as it goes quiet and if things are sold out it's easy enough to change meal plans.

@ineedaholidaynow

What happens when your children write their Christmas list and you have already done the shopping months in advance?

I know!

I haven’t got ds1s yet

We are supposed to be going Christmas shopping on monday...so that might be an issue

Not really doing Christmas this year. I am not putting the tree up as there will be no-one to come and see it. My children are grown up and live in other parts of the country so wont be visiting. I will send them a card with some money in. We are just going to get a token gift each off the internet and have a nice meal over Skype with children on the day.

Wrap up well of you need to go.
I'd say it will be madness.
It was madness in Ireland in the days leading up to the store closing.
It is all very OTT and strict.
Supermarkets have all non essential item's blocked off.
Thankfully I started really early the DC's gifts are done.
It is awful on those who haven't got the money to do this I've been there before.

Seems to prove we are a nation obsessed with shopping. We don't even know yet what the rules for Christmas are going to be.

I have a few presents, most bought before the first lockdown, but am not buying more until I know whether I can meet with my parents, siblings, nieces, nephews etc.

There is plenty of time to buy presents. It's still October for goodness sake.

I expect people will go crazy again buying up food and loo roll. We have a good stock of food so no need to worry

I buy mine presents they'll like, which I buy early - things like Lego, cars etc. Things like that they aren't likely to grow out of.
Eldest has asked for a Playstation for him & his sibling to share - which made it easier as games etc too.

They do write their Christmas lists & letter in November & generally know that once those are done they can't change their minds. Although I do allow more in the budget for some 'surprises' which might be things they've mentioned they'd really like for their Birthdays (as too late for the lists).
Might not be possible this year, but it always works here. I have most things sorted apart from stocking fillers & the possible list things, but some of the things I've bought I suspect may end up on their lists anyway (and need Christmas food).

If it's just until 1st December, it'll be fine.

I couldn’t care less if it’s carnage which I doubt

My lot won’t give a shiny shit what they get as long as we are together at Christmas.

Plus I’ll be shopping locally but no panic buying here all done at my leisure.

Do remember folks we’ve 55 days left till the day

I've done all of mine on line, just a couple of pieces to get ordered.

I have a small, on line, business and I've seen postal times starting to increase (i.e. time from despatching to people actually getting their items). Our local post office has been saying, for quite a while, to allow a week for first class post and up to three weeks for second class. So I started early and have done it bit by bit.

Not going anywhere near click and collect if I can help it!

Your post is alarmist @Meimeimei.