Xmas Eve food shopping

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Not AIBU shameless post for traffic.

So circumstances dictate that I need to do the "big shop" at some point on Xmas Eve. I'm happy to go early or even in the middle of the night. I have already got meat sorted but will need to buy everything else. My question is when is the best time to go? Are there going to be things I just can't get?

TIA

I would go as early as possible in the morning and hope for the best.

6am. Let's hope you don't have to isolate anytime from 2 weeks before! You might need a contingency.....

The supermarkets are usually pretty quit on Christmas Eve. It's the 23rd and the weekend before that are chocker. Go earlyish though.

It would just be stock levels of certain things that would concern me on the 24th, as they'll be closed the next day they aren't going to be having a huge delivery that close.

Yeah I was thinking early, honestly hadn't even considered the possibility of self isolating arghhh. Crumbs!! To be honest I won't be going anywhere between now an then so I should be ok so long as DP or DC's don't bring anything home!! Please god!!

Well years ago I was in the same position every christmas because of work, and I used to go to Tesco's at 4am simply to avoid the crowds. They were often still filling the shelves though from the previous day.
However, really, how much last minute stuff do you really need? A lot of it can be bought quite a few days in advance, and veg. keep well somewhere cool at this time of year. It is only one day after all - unless you are having to feed an awful lot of people, in which case you have my utmost sympathy.

Not a lot of people just us, me DP and 7DC, I will need veggies etc ... And sides, Xmas breakfast, and buffet stuff for boxing day.

I've always gone at about 6 am on Christmas Eve or occasionally the 23rd and its always been fine - shops quiet and fully stocked.

I usually go to Morrisons, butchers and M&S and M&S doesn't open until 7, so time it so I can do the other two first and be at M&S more or less at opening time so in and out really.

But in reality I hope too many people don't do the same as then it will be manic and I'll probably give up, go home and serve pot noodles for Christmas lunch.

I always do the christmas shop on Christmas eve. There's otherwise no room in the fridge for it all plus normal weekly shopping. Usually get up early and go 6-7am ish. It's fine. I've never not been able to get what I need.

Ime, they run out of fresh croissants if you don't go early morning 😥

A friend who works in Tesco says it’s always quieter on Xmas eve than 23rd. Still busy but fewer people doing the big shop just picking up last minute things. People are less stressed and in a better mood. If it wasn’t one of the DC birthdays I would shop on Xmas eve by choice.

Thanks everyone will just go as early as possible, glad to hear everyone has been ok. In my head the shelves were bare!

Delivery?

It'll be fine, I reckon the supermarkets will be fine, they normally are. If you can hold your nerve until later you'll get bargains.

Can you stay up really late the night before and go to a 24 hr shop at midnight. That’s what I’d do! So much less miserable than having to get up early! Then have a nice lie in on Xmas Eve.

Pre-children, we used to go at 7am early on Christmas Eve, and it was always very quiet and actually a lovely experience. We would do the shopping and then have breakfast at a cafe. I would be nervous about doing it later in the day in case things had sold out.

Now we have children, I prefer to get things done well ahead of time...

6am. Let's hope you don't have to isolate anytime from 2 weeks before! You might need a contingency.....

This is actually a very good point!

Afternoon at almost any shop can be great as they'll be busy discounting all the stuff that has a short BBD. Aldi had all their fresh turkeys for £2 one year.

I always go in on Christmas Eve morning and it is always quiet. The crowds are out on the 23rd.