How have your Christmas food deliveries worked out?

[KenAdams]

Ocado have delivered me no gammon and a chicken that goes off on Christmas Eve so now I need to brave the shops and keep my fingers crossed.

How has everyone else faired?

@Penguinandduck

I had Tesco last night - the trifle, pork pie, coleslaw, cous cous salad and lettuce all go off today! All the substitutions were fine though. Been to Co-op to top up and there was no queue and plenty of stock! Only thing I don’t have is goose fat for the potatoes, which we’ll live without!

Oh no, I think you have to be quite specific, in the notes I ask for the longest dates available. My Tesco shop came Monday and short date items mainly expire at the weekend.

Fine for me but I had bought stuff in advance.

Ocado. No substitutions or missing items

No problems at all with my delivery, very happy with it.

Today's delivery was better than I thought it would be. Was expecting more to be missing. I had 4 unavailable and about 1 or 2 substitutes. The items I didn't get weren't for Christmas dinner etc so happy with that ☺️.

Had two deliveries. Sainsbury’s - no chestnuts and sent chestnut stuffing mix instead. Tesco - no braised red cabbage or lebkuchen. They did substitute a small Xmas pudding for a massive one and give me an extra brandy cream by accident.

Still had to go to the shops myself for the missing bits (am veggie and chestnuts are the main component of my main course).

If only not for covid we could all post where we saw tens of pots of hummus or the many fresh turkeys for those what want and can't get.

I didn't do an online order and completely botched my last physical shop as was trying to get out as quick as possible. Thankfully I'm a planner so what we are missing isn't that crucial and all the stuff that is I have.

Tesco delivered everything l ordered but the profiteroles went out of date today so we ate them today! Very impressed

@KenAdams

Ocado are usually pretty good shelf life wise.

Seems everyone has failed quite well - I remember last years thread being a different story so I think covid has definitely helped the supermarkets prepare themselves for spikes in demand.

I didn't think of freezing the chicken! I think my options are freeze, serve and hope I don't give the entire family food poisoning or cook and reheat the next day. Any ideas which may be the more preferable option to stop the meat being the texture of shoe leather please?

Though I've never done it as don't eat chicken. I know years ago, the chicken was reheated in gravy so it wasn't as dry. An option?

Mine gave me two turkeys and two hams, I had an email saying both had been substituted, no idea what happend

Just got an email about tomorrows delivery

A substitution from low sugar to no sugar cranberry juice and there is no tiramisu.

Not bad for a £160 shop

Got my delivery. A couple of substitutions that were better than what I ordered but otherwise everything was there and what I wanted and the dates are great on pretty much everything. Very happy and all ready for Christmas now :D (from Tesco).

I had click and collect from Morrison’s yesterday. Not chuffed that the turkey was substituted, though for a different one so not too stupid.

Worse was the 10cal ready made tiny jelly pot instead of a packet to make up that was for trifle. Also pigs in blankets not subbed, but when I went in they had loads of 12 packs instead of the 10 packs I ordered, which would have been an obvious substitution. Also missing parsnips and ham. Again ham could have been easily subbed but they didn’t bother.

Amusingly I accidentally ordered a tiny Christmas pudding instead of a normal one. It took 5 shops to find one- there seems to be a shortage. It was M&S I finally got one in.

Just got mine. Not too bad but no Stilton and no cream . Off to M&S in the morning

My M&S was all present and correct, I had a couple of substitutions on the Asda order tonight but they were sensible, and the best of all, my small box of celebrations got substituted for a big tub

Ours was great but we didn’t order the turkey today we picked that up separately. We had an early delivery though at 8am so not sure if that would’ve made a difference? We had a couple substitutions but they were either bigger/better packs except for one ‘luxury’ item which we bought when we got the turkey. That was Asda btw!

Sainsbury’s really pleased. A couple of subs but quite acceptable. Considering the county’s under water this evening! In Gloucestershire. Don’t know if anyone else in the area got theirs. Hope everyone stays safe

Tesco last week and Asda this week. Got everything we need except I forgot to order fruit for cheeseboard but that's hardly their fault!

Picked my c&c up from Waitrose this afternoon (23rd). Only 4 subs and all fine- upgrades, if anything. They subbed my own brand body lotion for nicer Aveeno, my small stilton for a bigger, nicer stilton, my steaks for NYE for slightly less choice but bigger ones and honoured the offer and my lone red pepper for a mixed packet. Two peppers went in our supper, the 3rd will go in tomorrow's supper so actually a bonus. The biggest gamble was the "different" mince pies I'd ordered since ours were unavailable. They're a hit!

I have some things for my mum on that shop, too so I'm even more grateful that all of her stuff arrived with no subs. Supermarket was pleasantly busy and they kept it moving and DO was easily able to grab a bottle of wine for a last minute present for my parents whilst I waited in the c&c queue. What did amaze me was the queue for our M&S, which was round the block! We had thought about getting some naice savoury nibbles for after xmas as last min extras since change of plans in tier 4, but bought crisps and extras in the deserted local Tesco round the corner from our car park instead!

I did pretty well with Tesco. The only things that were missing were some mini cheesecakes and strawberries. Not really bothered about the cheesecakes as I only ordered them as there was a 3 for 2 offer on party food but the missing strawberries are a bit of a nuisance. My youngest son has multiple food allergies and can't eat most bought desserts and the strawberries were a key ingredient in a dessert I was going to make for him. I will try the local convenience stores in the morning but if they don't have any I shall have to improvise - I can't face the supermarkets for one item!

My friend's son is picking at the moment whilst home from Uni. He said it all depends too when their deliveries come in what you have. Computer tells them too what alternatives to choose so cant use their initiative.

Picked up our Tesco click and collect last night - not bad! 6 items subbed - all with suitable items. Weirdest one was pigs in blankets subbed with Chicks in blankets (chicken sausages), I'm sure they'll be ok..!

My Tesco delivery was fine too only 2subs and both fine, everything well in date and all the veg looks lovely!

Second Ocado order arriving soon, very pleased.

No Thoughtful Producer chicken but subbed for a smaller free range. Not ideal but not a disaster. Probably no leftovers but we have a large gammon so we won’t starve. There’s only 2 adults and a toddler so plenty enough for Xmas Day.

No churros, no mozzarella sticks-not a problem. Mozzarella sticks subbed for dough balls which I don’t want so will go back.

Cream substitute is 4 small instead of 2 large-totally ok. Foil substitute is for a different size, also fine.

Given the circumstances of Avian flu and Covid we are very pleased. DH is popping to the M&S garage to see if they have the churros as he wants something else from there but we won’t be going to any supermarkets.

Re the chicken, I popped it in the freezer yesterday. Need to defrost today (aiming to cook it at about 11ish tomorrow) so I'm hoping it will defrost in the fridge if I take it out by 12ish today. That should be enough time shouldn't it? I've got an "ultimate roast chicken" recipe I use that makes an amazing gravy too so I'll wrap and rest the chicken for an hour or two to give me a bit more space in the oven for everything else tomorrow.