To do a Christmas food shop in person on 23rd?

[LostittoBostik]

I'm hosting Xmas for 6 this year but this is the first time I've hosted without having a food delivery slot booked. This is because we've dropped deliveries in favour of doing a shop ourselves this year as part of drive to save money on our food costs as a family, so I missed things like the Ocado booking slot reminder.
I've never done a Xmas the old fashioned way - going around the shop with a giant trolley.
I'm only doing a large chicken rather than turkey as only 4 of 6 eat meat. Will there be a chicken left to buy on the 23rd in a large superstore? And will things like mince pies be left?
Sorry if I sound quite stupid! The mental load overwhelm is out of control and I'm suddenly having a massive panic attack about it all.

I do this all the time and it’s fine. People scare monger about it a bit!

Just to remind anyone in England and Wales that supermarkets can only open for 6 hours on Sunday 22/12. Either 10-4 or 11-5.

Get irate customers who shop because of the date, not the day.

OMG the worst one is when 23/12 falls on Sunday and that awful. Fortunately we missed this year due to leap year.

I used to go at 9/10pm on the 23rd for my shop.

I always do it and never had an issue, though I do order my meat from the butchers just incase and find it better quality but you will be fine for a chicken I'm sure.

Leave it until Christmas Eve, the shops are deserted. And there’s always loads of food, some of which will be reduced.

Sorry yes I know - I was being silly - we all know the meat we only eat once a year does not have to be dry and it’s a myth 🙊🤣 My main point was Monday is working day for many. Not everyone will be queuing up for their (moist) turkey (and bullet like sprouts - awaits recipe guide 🙊)

Don't go early doors would be my tip as everyone does the same
I might do one trip today or tomorrow and get everything except the fresh stuff (although, with less than a week to go, some of the dates are now after Cmas Day) and then go on the afternoon of 23rd. We always do our shop on 23rd as then we have 24th to pick up the things I've forgotten!

It'll be fine, supermarkets don't run out of things or have bare shelves the way they used to

One thing that annoyed me with customers at Christmas was they moaned about the dates on the bread.

If the bakers such as Hovis, Warburtons have 5-6 days on their bread, it will be the same throughout the year. They are not going to increase it by 1-2 days.

The theory can be applied to all fresh and short life foods.

I don't think stock will be the issue, but the crowds can make it stressful.
I've no option this year but to do my final shop about 8am on Xmas Eve, as I'm on nights this week (finish at 7.30 on Xmas Eve then off for a week)
I'm sticking to a supermarket I know well, have a minimal list as I've already bought everything I possibly could ahead of time, and intend to put my headphones on and cruise along the wider central aisles darting into the narrow ones to collect my items. If I need to queue, well I have my kindle.
This time of year that old chest freezer that I keep out in the garage is a lifesaver.

I normally get my turkey half price on Christmas Eve! I think you’ll be fine-the shops are normally well stocked with the shelves groaning with all the Christmas tat and food. My dh used to worry when we first got together but now he’s used to me coming home with a £70 turkey bought for £35.

Morrisons by me still have collection slots for the 23 I got one yesterday just praying they have it all or most of it in stock. Grabbing the meat at the weekend and already have frozen deserts etc

Last time I did this at Asda it was beyond heaving !

We have a Sainsbury's delivery booked for tomorrow night, but you can bet your sweet life something will be missing or substituted. In that case, DH will pop up to the superstore up the road and buy it in-store. We don't drive or have access to a car, (hence the delivery) so the only travel costs incurred are in shoe leather. It's always quiet and there's plenty of stock, though having said that, Christmas dinner is always veggie as DH doesn't eat meat or fish. If I want a bit of chicken, there are plenty of portions on the shelves - but you can probably get a whole bird if you've more to feed.

This is what we’ll be doing and I expect it will be fine. I’ve done either deliveries or click and collect the past few years, but there’s always a vital element or two missing meaning I have to go dashing round the shops last minute anyway.

We do have the turkey ordered and someone bringing desert, but need a gammon joint and all the veg and trimmings.

My friend ended up needing to go late afternoon Christmas Eve last year (they were due at relatives but was cancelled last minute due to illness) and she said it was quieter that it had been in weeks and she easily got everything she needed. Similarly, when I’ve gone first thing in the past it’s been absolutely heaving as everyone has the same idea.

All that said, I’m not brave enough to leave it any later so I’ll be there when the doors open on 23rd with the rest of the hordes!

Never had a Xmas shop delivered because we live somewhere that still has a greengrocers and butchers so can get non- perishable stuff from the supermarket wells before - but I do enjoy the MN threads on Christmas eve from the people who've had their turkey substituted with lamb chops and all the presents they ordered have been refunded. With the usual bonkers reasoning that they booked their slot in September and therefore all items should have been available.

My parents never do online shopping for food as DM wants the best possible dates and she then can have a rummage through the yellow stickered items.

After Christmas is a good time to get lots of reductions - both Christmas and normal foods.

We actually save more money by going on the 27th.

We went round the shops last year as i missed the delivery slot. i was dreading it but it was great, everything we wanted on offer, some bargains to be had as well as a lot of food is dated 24th Dec!

I’ll be doing this. Expecting it to be horribly busy, but I’m also going away this weekend, so no choice. I do it most years, though- haven’t got a big enough fridge to stock up in advance!- and I’ve never had problems with things not being available.

Hang on a minute, do English supermarkets sell booze 24/7?

In Scotland, it's only between 10am and 10pm so I couldn't go at 6am/midnight even if I wanted to.

Same here - as soon as store opens Xmas eve - have never had an issue getting the good we want. I usually buy a stuffed chicken so they are always in stock.

I did this one year when my parents had not got any turkey when I arrived for Christmas. I did manage to fine one on but only in about the 5th supermarket I tried. I usually get meat in advance and freeze now...

When I was a child, my father worked in the City, and had a lot of business with the wholesale markets which were in Central London then ( Covent Garden, Billingsgate, Smithfield). He used to take my mother and me to Smithfield at three o’clock on Christmas Eve when they auctioned all the poultry, to buy our Christmas bird. Then we would have hot chocolate at one of the stalls ( he might have had something stronger).

So I don’t have much trouble with late Christmas shopping! I hope you get everything you need 🥂