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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Made early raid on the shops today and I can report...

52 replies

clary · 20/12/2020 11:32

...not too busy!

I was worried everyone would be out buying everything they now need as not going to family - but Aldi, not busy at all, shelves stocked; Morrisons busy but fine, also lots of stock.

Managed to get all veg (24 Dec date but fine) and everything I needed apart from some fruit and my Christmas flowers, plus the butcher on 23 Dec. My three huge bags at Aldi only cost £40! Feeling a bit smug now.

But also wanted to say to anyone panicking - don't, it's all fine.

OP posts:
friendlycat · 20/12/2020 12:01

Of course the shops are well stocked. They will continue to be stocked for several more days to come as they are in the lead up,to Christmas each year.

CaramelCandle · 20/12/2020 12:08

Thanks for the reassurance, planning to go tomorrow

TheRubyRedshoes · 20/12/2020 12:51

You are lucky to have an aldi near you. I think we are getting one near ish next year.

Most are open really late, I've always done my Xmas shopping either first or last thing and it's a dream!

Morana23 · 20/12/2020 12:59

I went to Asda at 10.45am this morning and it was so much quieter than I expected. I've got all my Xmas stuff but needed a few other bits, I nearly didn't go thinking it would be so busy but am glad I did.

CarolinaWeeper · 20/12/2020 13:05

I agree, I went into town thinking Sainsbury's would be heaving but I was straight in and then straight up to a till at the end. M&S was busier, I had to queue for a little while to get in but no way near as bad as in the first lockdown earlier in the year. I think the supermarkets are well prepared.

Vegetables for Christmas are now in a cardboard box in the garage and just have to get a few extra bits for the week...smoked salmon, bagels, bread and milk etc.

ipswichwitch · 20/12/2020 13:10

Christ the Tesco near me was rammed this morning.

TheAnswerIsCake · 20/12/2020 13:16

I’m wondering if those of you saying it isn’t too busy are in tier 1/2/3 vs tier 4?

happytoday73 · 20/12/2020 13:18

Tier 3.. Drove past aldi at 11...quiet so went in... Lots of short date items though so looks like will need to go back

NotSorry · 20/12/2020 13:28

If it helps, I use those green veg bags that stop the veg going off too quick - we reuse them too so not adding to plastic waste

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BND0SD2/ref=dp_prsubs_2?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Melange99 · 20/12/2020 13:32

Tier 4, Massive queue this morning. Social Distancing not possible, they were letting in more people than normal, it was very busy inside. Some things sold out but the rest well stocked. I don't normally feel uneasy in the supermarket but was today. People were unavoidably up close and personal.

Itwasgoodwhileitlasted · 20/12/2020 13:33

Tesco is a zoo by us

PumpkinPie2016 · 20/12/2020 13:53

I'm in a tier 3 area and planning to go for final veg etc early tomorrow morning so I am hoping it's fairly quiet Xmas Smile

I said this on another thread but I don't think people need to panic about availability of stock. My dad is a HGV driver for a company who deliver food for supermarkets -they are sending dozens of HGVs a day, right up to and including Christmas eve. Back out again on boxing day - even for stores like Asda who are closed boxing day!

naturalyoghurtmuncher · 20/12/2020 13:55

Dp has gone to get our last few things. We did shopping for our dc in September so really glad we won't be shopping until after Christmas.

fastandthecurious · 20/12/2020 14:04

I work in a supermarket and it's heaving today. Feel like Xmas has begun will be like this for the rest of the week now!

MsMiaWallace · 20/12/2020 14:22

I was wondering whether to go Tues or Wed??

Original poster
clary · 20/12/2020 14:31

Yes like a PP, my Christmas veg now in the cold dark garage!

Sorry some of you have found it busy. I am in tier 3 FWIW.

OP posts:
fastandthecurious · 20/12/2020 14:36

Wednesday (23rd) is very well known in our shop and others that I've worked in as being the busiest day of the year. So I'd go Tuesday if I were you, and very late evening/ night is always our quietest time if that helps!

Clymene · 20/12/2020 14:46

Tier 4 Waitrose v controlled. They are the only supermarket who consistently clean the trollies and control the number of people in the shop very tightly.

FedUpAtHomeTroels · 20/12/2020 15:04

I'm going Tuesday for the fresh veg and salad and milk and fresh cream. Working Wednesday and baking Thursday.
We ran out of milk this morning so I went to Morrisons, it was pretty busy.

OllysArmy · 20/12/2020 15:11

Tier 4, DH went out at midday and reported that the town was as busy as a normal Sunday so less busy that the usual for last one before Christmas. No queue at Tesco, short wait at M&S, massive queue at Pet Store so he didn’t bother as the pets don’t need Christmas presents.
He didn’t come back with the turkey and veg as he says that he is going again on Tuesday or Wednesday so the dates are longer.
He got the wine, so I’m OK

CoolShoeshine · 20/12/2020 15:12

Went to Waitrose (get me!) this morning. Rammed. Hated it. Only got about 6 things and cost £40. Seemed like a good idea at the time.
Sill happy to have got a few more bits though. Also I’m very lucky to have a really well stocked local shop which I will visit in the week for Pringles, wine and big roll.

millymokk · 20/12/2020 15:13

Tier 4 last night shopping completely normal.

millymokk · 20/12/2020 15:14

I don't think they are is any need to panic.

Lovemusic33 · 20/12/2020 15:14

I went to waitrose at 11am and it was pretty busy, had to queue to get in and was hard to look around without people getting way too close. I don’t usually shop in waitrose but had £60 worth of vouchers to use (£60 didn’t go far) and would rather shop in Aldi.

itsgettingweird · 20/12/2020 15:18

My ds is swim training tomorrow at 8am for 2.5 hrs.

I plan to go to Aldi then hoping it's quiet?

I'm bordering tier 4 areas so think (hope!) it'll be quiet because many like me aren't now catering for bubble meet ups because although we aren't most of our friends and family are.