No collection slots at M&S - can I just take my chances?

[SkeletonSkins]

Having a Christmas with just me and DH this year and wanted to get some ready prepared veg etc from m and s. Don’t need meat as getting that elsewhere. It says that all the collection slots are gone but will they still have the Christmassy sides in the normal food shop that I can just pick up when I go in? When would I be best to go - 22nd? 23rd?

You'll get what you need as they're awesome at restocking but it will be trolley bumper cars

There will be plenty. I would go early in the day if you can and go on 22nd.

It's my little tradition is to go at stupid o'clock in the morning on Christmas Eve eve.

Fully stocked shelves, virtually no people apart from those equally valuing the space and quiet.

And experienced staff preparing as if entering into war with a steely glint in their eyes.

I think you’ll be fine on 22nd/23rd to pop into one of the food halls. Having said that, I’d order your meat from a butcher (to ensure you get the best cuts). I wouldn’t be concerned about getting fruit/veg/drinks/sides from the food hall

I have always got a delivery slot for 23rd December on previous year's and see them with huge amounts on the shelves

Yeah there's always loads, just go super early, know what you want and get in and out.

They always have plenty. If you go through the sparks part of the website, you may be able to reserve yourself a shopping slot so you don't have to queue.

Usually I book a delivery slot and every year I think “ I could have just turned up and bought all that”. In fact one year my veg was missed off the order and they just went and got it off the shelves for me ( for free). Turn up early and get ready to Q at the checkout

You'll be fine. Recommend the Dauphinoise with spinach potatoes.

The Waitrose Entertaining slots are still available, and you can get many of the things from the grocery section.

I popped in to M&S last year on Christmas Eve after work, and they had loads of lovely Christmas food! Not the bargains I was hoping for though!

I’ve often popped into M&S on the days before Christmas. The shelves are normally really well stocked

Depends where you live. I went to an M&S in Devon last year (a couple of days before Christmas) and the shelves were bare. My normal one up north is well stocked until Christmas Eve. Maybe ask on a local group.

I'm the same as @Hoppinggreen, I wonder why I bothered booking a slot.

I went to pick my pre-order up at Christmas a few years ago and the wagon bringing the container off the ship shed a wheel ( not just a tyre ) they were not able to make the orders up .. it was carnage !
But the staff were fab and managed to get most things on shelves then helped where they could .

Having said that every year I look at the queue for pick up and think I could just grab what I wanted from the well stocked shelves ( I cook for 10 over Christmas )

In normal years I would say, yes absolutely no problem, M&S always have something on the shelves and the staff are brilliant at helping.

Not sure how they will handle the queues and busy few days before Christmas this year with social distancing thrown in.

If possible I would buy what you can early and freeze.