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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you really need to visit shops on Boxing Day?

352 replies

kolpa · 26/12/2025 08:26

Before you decide to go to half the stores which are open today, think - do you actually need anything? If not, stay away from them.

Those supermarkets that are open would have very few deliveries. Perhaps milk n bread as majority of these are delivered by the bakery and dairy. It depends on if they worked yesterday. As some distribution centres were closed yesterday.

I personally believe that people only shop because the shops are open. If some were open yesterday, they would have gone in.

A good number of the retail workers today are people who don’t have a car who usually bus it in. But no buses means either get someone to drive them in or get taxi/uber which are 1.5-2 times more expensive.

So if you can survive a day of visiting about half the stores which are open today, stay at home or go to others’ homes.

OP posts:
FizzySnap · 26/12/2025 11:46

Grammarnut · 26/12/2025 10:36

It's a bit sad to go shopping on Boxing Day. And don't the shop assistants deserve two days for Christmas? The only people who NEED to be working are running power stations, staffing hospitals, a few buses to serve those people, police, armed forces, coastguard etc and hospitality e.g. hotels, pubs, brewers (my DS used to work for a brewer and this was their busiest time, so there was a rota for having Christmas/New Year off). Shops do not need to be open at all. Where it not the law that shops must shut on Christmas Day most would be open then, too, and staff get no Christmas!
You do you, the rest of us have better things to do.
And true, I am on my own today (big family Christmas yesterday and at the week-end). I will take my dog to the pub. If you are as concerned as you sound about people being lonely why not volunteer at one of the charities which visit lonely people (not only at Christmas) or provide Christmas Day meals and fun for the homeless and the lonely?
Shops are not charities and also afaik whenever I go shopping, human interaction is nil - even the check-out people don't talk to you, they are on their headset talking to colleagues about issues in the shop.

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Or how about we just let the shops open?

millymollyminging · 26/12/2025 11:48

saveforthat · 26/12/2025 08:31

The retail staff are there anyway, whether we visit or not.

This! DH popped in on his daily 3 mile walk, he said it was incredibly quiet. TBH if I was having to work I would rather be really busy.

CentrifugalBumblePuppy · 26/12/2025 11:55

I loathe shopping at any time. However we were at Sainsbury’s a couple of minutes before they opened at 9am as our daughter was admitted into
hospital on Tuesday with a bacteremia and wanted puzzle books & supplies, as she’s bored witless in isolation and will be there for a few days more at least (a very Merry Shitmas here).

Working over Christmas is a reality for many jobs. I was a theatre tech for many, many years, so Panto was pretty full on until the end of January. You couldn’t just book Christmas off because it’s part of the job! Apart from Christmas Day, and only a morning show & Matinee on New Year’s Eve, that was the only time off we had! You’d be laughed out of the theatre if you were complaining about working on Boxing Day!

Likewise the fantastic staff in the hospital from all grades and departments, working through Christmas is part of the gig.

It sounds trite to say this, but if you don’t like Christmas working, change jobs to one where you don’t have to!

ABeerInTheSunshineMakesMeHappy · 26/12/2025 11:55

If my local Asda is open then I need to take the bottle of whisky I bought DH back down there for them to remove the security tag. A bit annoying, especially as I no longer have the receipt.

Summergarden · 26/12/2025 11:56

I agree. In several other European countries shops and supermarkets still close on Sundays. I don’t necessarily think that should be the case here but if people there can cope with that then we can definitely cope with shops and supermarkets closing for 2 days over Christmas to give more people a decent break with their families. After all, I’m fortunate enough to enjoy benefitting from not having to work over Christmas, so why would I not take action to try to enable as many others as possible to experience the same?

So I stock up and make sure I don’t need to go to any shops on Boxing Day because it’s all about supply and demand. If not enough people went to shops and spend in them today, it wouldn’t be worth them opening. If I felt the need to see other people and had no family I’d go for a walk and make conversation with dog walkers.

Yes, of course there will always be emergency service workers etc that need to work (my DM was a nurse who worked over most Christmases when I grew up), but there’s no need to inflict it on more people than necessary.

CentrifugalBumblePuppy · 26/12/2025 11:59

Just to add, we’re usually Lidl shoppers (cost aside, the lack of variety, like only a couple at types of sweetcorn not 55 billion choices). Lidl keep their stores closed on Boxing Day so families can celebrate together. Petition your retailer to do the same (although there’s more chance of a pink elephant flying out of my bottom as retailers just love good profits over staff convenience).

Ironfloor269 · 26/12/2025 12:10

Thank you, OP, your post made me pop into the local Sainsbury’s just now to stock up on reduced mince pies and some other bits while I was there.

monchichilarue · 26/12/2025 12:12

Summergarden · 26/12/2025 11:56

I agree. In several other European countries shops and supermarkets still close on Sundays. I don’t necessarily think that should be the case here but if people there can cope with that then we can definitely cope with shops and supermarkets closing for 2 days over Christmas to give more people a decent break with their families. After all, I’m fortunate enough to enjoy benefitting from not having to work over Christmas, so why would I not take action to try to enable as many others as possible to experience the same?

So I stock up and make sure I don’t need to go to any shops on Boxing Day because it’s all about supply and demand. If not enough people went to shops and spend in them today, it wouldn’t be worth them opening. If I felt the need to see other people and had no family I’d go for a walk and make conversation with dog walkers.

Yes, of course there will always be emergency service workers etc that need to work (my DM was a nurse who worked over most Christmases when I grew up), but there’s no need to inflict it on more people than necessary.

This is a very privileged view to think everyone has the funds or the time to "stock up".

What if people run out of nappies or toilet roll for example, or get sick and need a flu remedy or painkillers? tough shit on them because you deemed they should have "stocked up"?

What if people are working all week before Christmas and aren't able to get to the shops to "stock up"? they should go without food?

xanthomelana · 26/12/2025 12:12

It’s the people who come in and say “I can’t believe you have to work Boxing Day” that piss me off. Of course we fucking do because people like you decide to shop. At least most people on this thread are honest about not giving a fuck about staff.

phoenixrosehere · 26/12/2025 12:13

Sartre · 26/12/2025 11:37

For starters some people enjoy working Boxing Day, either because it gets them away from their annoying families or because they’re lonely and it’s something to fill the day, or they don’t even celebrate Christmas. Not everyone hates it. For those who do, maybe find a different job.

Boxing Day sales used to be brilliant when I was a child, literal highlight of my Christmas going to a big shopping centre with my cousins to blast our Christmas money on absolute shite. Tend to avoid them now because it stresses me out but I will be visiting a book store today because we’re seeing family on Sunday and I haven’t got them gifts yet.

Yes.

Plus, some are also seasonal workers and the extra hours/extra money are not a bad thing.

lastminutepicks · 26/12/2025 12:14

Grammarnut · 26/12/2025 10:36

It's a bit sad to go shopping on Boxing Day. And don't the shop assistants deserve two days for Christmas? The only people who NEED to be working are running power stations, staffing hospitals, a few buses to serve those people, police, armed forces, coastguard etc and hospitality e.g. hotels, pubs, brewers (my DS used to work for a brewer and this was their busiest time, so there was a rota for having Christmas/New Year off). Shops do not need to be open at all. Where it not the law that shops must shut on Christmas Day most would be open then, too, and staff get no Christmas!
You do you, the rest of us have better things to do.
And true, I am on my own today (big family Christmas yesterday and at the week-end). I will take my dog to the pub. If you are as concerned as you sound about people being lonely why not volunteer at one of the charities which visit lonely people (not only at Christmas) or provide Christmas Day meals and fun for the homeless and the lonely?
Shops are not charities and also afaik whenever I go shopping, human interaction is nil - even the check-out people don't talk to you, they are on their headset talking to colleagues about issues in the shop.

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Can you articulate why it is ‘sad’ to go shopping in Boxing Day?

LadyWiddiothethird · 26/12/2025 12:15

What a dictatorial post OP.How about you mind your own business.

Grammarnut · 26/12/2025 12:16

23doorsdown · 26/12/2025 10:39

@Grammarnut why is it sadder to go to the shops as opposed to a pub or restaurant or cinema?

Because the other choices are about being entertained, meeting people socially? What can you possibly need to buy on Boxing Day? Shops being open is totally unnecessary.

monchichilarue · 26/12/2025 12:21

Grammarnut · 26/12/2025 12:16

Because the other choices are about being entertained, meeting people socially? What can you possibly need to buy on Boxing Day? Shops being open is totally unnecessary.

Show quote history

People have mentioned lots of necessary things in this thread.

Needing bread or tampax or a cold remedy is FAR more necessary than being "entertained". No-one "needs" to be entertained but they need to eat and go to the toilet and to manage flu

TittyGajillions · 26/12/2025 12:22

lastminutepicks · 26/12/2025 12:14

Can you articulate why it is ‘sad’ to go shopping in Boxing Day?

Show quote history

Especially as it's fine to go to the pub where presumably people are also working!

TittyGajillions · 26/12/2025 12:23

Grammarnut · 26/12/2025 12:16

Because the other choices are about being entertained, meeting people socially? What can you possibly need to buy on Boxing Day? Shops being open is totally unnecessary.

Show quote history

You are making zero sense tbh.

Rainydayinlondon · 26/12/2025 12:23

I personally find it distasteful that shops are open on Boxing Day. It just epitomises the consumerism of it all.
If anything, Supermarkets could open small convenience stores with only staff who actively wanted to be there ( those who don’t celebrate Christmas/youngsters who want to escape all the relatives).

figgyboos · 26/12/2025 12:23

Grammarnut · 26/12/2025 12:16

Because the other choices are about being entertained, meeting people socially? What can you possibly need to buy on Boxing Day? Shops being open is totally unnecessary.

Show quote history

Why do you possibly need to go to the pub on Boxing Day? Pubs being open is completely unnecessary

Rainydayinlondon · 26/12/2025 12:25

Summergarden · 26/12/2025 11:56

I agree. In several other European countries shops and supermarkets still close on Sundays. I don’t necessarily think that should be the case here but if people there can cope with that then we can definitely cope with shops and supermarkets closing for 2 days over Christmas to give more people a decent break with their families. After all, I’m fortunate enough to enjoy benefitting from not having to work over Christmas, so why would I not take action to try to enable as many others as possible to experience the same?

So I stock up and make sure I don’t need to go to any shops on Boxing Day because it’s all about supply and demand. If not enough people went to shops and spend in them today, it wouldn’t be worth them opening. If I felt the need to see other people and had no family I’d go for a walk and make conversation with dog walkers.

Yes, of course there will always be emergency service workers etc that need to work (my DM was a nurse who worked over most Christmases when I grew up), but there’s no need to inflict it on more people than necessary.

Agree with all of this

23doorsdown · 26/12/2025 12:30

Because the other choices are about being entertained, meeting people socially? What can you possibly need to buy on Boxing Day? Shops being open is totally unnecessary.

@Grammarnut plenty of people go to the cinema & pub alone though? And the cafes & restaurants open for those who socialise do they need shops to be open for some of their supplies?

Why is it necessary to be entertained on Boxing Day?

JacobsCreamCrackered · 26/12/2025 12:30

We got petrol on Christmas day and dh bought some wine from the petrol station to take to my parents house so you'll be outraged at that.
Hopefully the staff got paid time and a half or something.

Summergarden · 26/12/2025 12:33

monchichilarue · 26/12/2025 12:12

This is a very privileged view to think everyone has the funds or the time to "stock up".

What if people run out of nappies or toilet roll for example, or get sick and need a flu remedy or painkillers? tough shit on them because you deemed they should have "stocked up"?

What if people are working all week before Christmas and aren't able to get to the shops to "stock up"? they should go without food?

Show quote history

Sorry, but we are talking about two days to stock up enough food, not a week or two. Other places manage it, so can we.

I’ve been poor before and not been able to afford to buy my preferred foods so just got by on whatever random cans or bits I could find at the back of my cupboard. Would find an already opened handy pack of tissues in my handbag to use instead of toilet paper, or a bit of shower gel instead of washing up liquid. It’s extremely rare that someone would suffer massively for not being able to access a shop for 2 days.

phoenixrosehere · 26/12/2025 12:34

Grammarnut · 26/12/2025 12:16

Because the other choices are about being entertained, meeting people socially? What can you possibly need to buy on Boxing Day? Shops being open is totally unnecessary.

Show quote history

You realise family shop together on Boxing Day.

That there are people who are alone and come in to shops for a bit of human contact.

There’s also those workers who only have socialisation from the people they work with and the customers because they have no one at home or have difficult home lives.

Wanderinggoose · 26/12/2025 12:35

monchichilarue · 26/12/2025 12:12

This is a very privileged view to think everyone has the funds or the time to "stock up".

What if people run out of nappies or toilet roll for example, or get sick and need a flu remedy or painkillers? tough shit on them because you deemed they should have "stocked up"?

What if people are working all week before Christmas and aren't able to get to the shops to "stock up"? they should go without food?

Show quote history

Somehow people manage that in other countries so this is bit off argument imho

Catwalking · 26/12/2025 12:36

YES I absolutely do! especially now you’ve said I shouldn’t 😆
…Ive thought of a couple of things that could be really cheap today!
& I usually do my weeks shop on a thurs & always find working round that quite difficult🫤.