aibu to think Xmas food shopping is panic buying?

[DragonMama3]

In Asda. people buying food like the world was ending! WHy?

Shops reopen in 12 hours?

How do you know how many people the person has to cater for, and for how long?

I’ve had 9 adults all staying for at least 4 nights, so yes, I had a trolley full. I wasn’t planning on setting foot inside any shop for several days. And none of it was wasted.

Most of us entertain over Christmas so that means a bigger shop than usual. Most of us if we can afford it like a few extra treats and the majority probably don't want to set foot in a supermarket until January except for fresh stuff. I find it hugely satisfying to know my fridge, freezer and larder are full. It will all get eaten at some point.

I done mine yesterday day as I’m working 16 hour shift tomorrow Sunday and Monday!
really don’t want to battle the supermarket at 10pm on a Saturday night!

It’s not panic buying is it though? You are just being over dramatic!
it’s a combination of everyone going shopping in the same couple of days so that they have all the fresh stuff they need for thier Christmas meals and people often catering for lots of people.

there will be 9 of us in my house for 4 whole days. That 12 meals plus snacks and drinks and toiletries etc. I had a massive trolley full today but none of it was panic buying. I had a list made from a planned menu.

I know the shops are only shut for 1 days essentially but I don’t WANT to have to go out whilst I have guests here( I’d rather drink wine and eat chocolate.

I agree OP, people certainly behave like they are panicking. In the supermarket I went to earlier (to buy toddler essentials, not Christmas stuff I hasten to add!) there were lots of extremely aggressive stressed-out people running around, pushing and shoving, and driving like idiots. Felt a lot like the lock down days where people were going crazy. I intend to do my food shopping on Christmas eve though, due to travelling before that, so I guess I will see the real chaos then:-D Mind you I went on Christmas eve last year and it was busy but more well mannered (though lots of empty shelves!).

I food shop weekly, every Friday so went today as normal. I don't want to be food shopping again on Boxing Day.
I have bought a lot more food than normal this week, but that's because we have 10 extra people to feed over Christmas day and boxing day and it's not just normal meals at Christmas time, we'll be having a bigger than usual dinner as most people do.
So there's more meat than usual, more alcohol, buffet food etc, but it's still only a week's worth of food.

We have a big family, 2 dinners to do and no one wants to go shopping again in the chaos. Just come back from Sainsbury's and the car park was gridlocked. The next few days will be the same.

It's not panic buying, rather not wanting the hassle.

Because in a normal week people’s shopping habits are spread over 7 days. In order to have ‘fresh’ food for the festive period those 7 days of shopping is condensed down into everyone shopping in the same 2-3 days making it busier.

What the hell is picky food??
Sausage rolls? What else.. ...
I have noticed all the food isn't very inspiring as it used to be, what's that about?
Quality gone down for sure. And other than the usual stuff it's all so boring.

Yours might, but I don't waste food. Maybe rethink your habits.

I was in Borough Market today, and that was bloody lunacy - at least supermarkets have aisles and a general idea of where everything is. I'm not a drinker but I needed a brandy after that 😀

we’re not bothering with turkey this year, I just bought

🎵twenty tomatoes, twelve Cos lettuce, three red onions, two long cucumbers and a ….bottle… of ….vinaigrette🎶

Picnic / Nibbles / Buffet type food.

People were moaning over what was not available - quite a lot tbh

Not here. I just looked up last year's local paper article. Tesco Extra was 10pm, Lidl/Aldi 7pm and everywhere else 6pm. Plus of course they opened before 10am.

There wasn't a Celebrations box in sight... it was end of days stuff...

Has anyone noticed how some people just stare and look for ages at the cheese/ pate's/ hams etc before deciding to buy?? Hurry up and move !!
Just pick it up or leave it. Literally 5 mins thinking shall I or shan't I.
I just wanna get in and get out if I can!

If it helps, I’ve not been into a proper supermarket for weeks. I’m not cooking the Christmas dinner this year, so I’ve not had to go get the stuff.

I did pop into the Tesco express near me though, for some painkillers and a bottle of milk. I do hope I’m excused from the hysteria label.

@Aquarius1234 Im in a mobility scooter - it really makes it hard for me when people are statue like. I appreciate your right to choose but it made my shopping last forever.

Is this your first visit to a supermarket in late December? Every single year there’s people moaning, people berating staff over the shop layout changing, people who bring their entire family to browse the cheeses and there’s an empty shelf here or there and a bunch of people being dramatic about it. Every single year the car park is busy, the roads are busy and for some odd reason the car wash will be busy. This is not some bewildering new phenomenon, it’s just typical and completely predictable pre-Christmas supermarket behaviour.

Either get on with what you’re doing and stop judging everyone else, or better yet if it’s all so unnecessary why don’t you just stay at home and eat the (single trolley of) shopping you presumably already bought on the 15th in a completely non panicked, organised and virtuous way.

When I worked in retail on the checkout people definitely panic bought. And we were open on Boxing Day! People are also completely rude and vile to retail staff too at Christmas, but that’s another story.

No, It's the most bare shelved one I can remember and people stood in aisles like they have been petrified.

It's not panic buying, what a ridiculous suggestion.

We've several extra mouths to feed for several days so obviously need to buy more than usual.
I don't mind popping out again on 27th to top up, but had to buy enough for the next four days as we won't have the opportunity to go food shopping as we'll be too busy enjoying the festive season-.

Forgot to say, I breathed a huge sigh of relief when M&S had sold out of sprouts this evening

Open or not , I do not want to go to the shops Boxing Day , or the day after , or the day after or the day after that. Stock up and enjoy the peace. I don’t understand why people are happy to go back shopping straight after Xmas !

Vile and rude stories please.... always find it shocking how people are.. 🎅 🎄