Is anyone starting their Christmas food shopping?

[IncessantNameChanger]

I don't think I can face doing a traditional big shop in the week before Christmas any more.

I have decided that we always buy too much and the food seems to hang around forever. So bring organised I have started a list and I'm going to buy one or two things a week instead. I have bought a frozen Turkey crown. Pigs in blankets and prawns. I think really if I didnt buy anything else I have Christmas dinner sorted ( kind of!).

If i get the other important things as I see them then leave the money essentials until the last few weeks. Hopefully my teens dont decide to cook a prawn stir fry, what could go wrong? I'm hoping to spend a lot less two this way as I will be more focused. I hope

Due to a bit of a mix up last year we’ve already got pigs in blankets 🙄

I’ll start snacks after half term with every expectation that they’ll have to be restocked! Meat comes from the butcher who has already said to forget goose this year, so might do beef instead, just waiting on final numbers from family.

I think whilst still look forward to Christmas I would rather not do the food shop with the same volume or in December unless perishables. Especially since the Turkey and Pork issues in the news. After this year's fuel crisis and energy hikes I am not getting involved in food shop expense and stress. We're still in financial recovery. Long way to go. In this house we will make the most of what we have.

The local butcher's has ceased trading this weekend anyway after many many decades.

We're moving house between now and Xmas. I've already booked my Xmas supermarket delivery slot for a house I'm not living in yet!

Im planning on buying a Christmas gousto box, my friend suggested it and I thought what a great idea. Exact amount of food and no waste. Ill just buy the nibbles and deserts nearer the time. Im working xmas day afternoon so i cant be doing with the faff this year!

Yes, the German biscuits.

@mummymayhem18

Ooh great shout😀👍 i shall be in tmw then for a bottle or 3.

Done a M&S food order for collection Christmas eve, let's hope they can fulfill it?
And Waitrose delivery a few days before.

It's just me and ds this year so I don't need as much as I normally would. I've got chocolates, biscuits, mince pies, pistachios and some frozen pigs in blankets just in case I can't find any closer to the time. I want to get some frozen party food, crisps, a bottle of presseco and some cola and I will be sorted.

All these posts are making me feel very festive this year!! Far cry from last years shit show.
Seriously fighting the urge to stick on a christmas film now..

@Hairwizard I watched the Bishop’s Wife last week. It’s never too early for a festive masterpiece!🎄🎄

Put aside a few snacky bits already and some frozen pigs in blankets and 2 salmon parcels x

I’ve already got all the charity Xmas cards and wrapping, several presents, and have ordered the turkey from a local farm, to collect two days before Xmas. It’s a Kelly Bronze, currently fattening up on windfalls in their apple orchard! And I’ve got the chestnut puree and soft apricots for making stuffing, and the Nutella to ice the chocolate chestnut log. A lot of stuff needs picked up fresh at the Farmers’ market in December, but I’ll be ordering the wine and cheeses soon, for delivery Xmas week. And adding things like nibbles and nuts to my supermarket order in the next few weeks.
It’s nice to get a head start, and with the risk of shortages and lack of delivery drivers this year, it’s a good idea to be a bit earlier than usual.

Bar the fresh stuff, I’m done.

All drinks, sweets and savouries have been bought (use by dates all fine). Home made stuffing and pigs are in the freezer. Turkey has been ordered but I’ve got chicken breasts in the freezer too if M&S can’t deliver.

I used to get it all on either 23rd or 24th but we’ve been buying in advance for a couple of years and it is so much easier! No dragging dozens of bags home, trying to get a cab before your frozen stuff starts defrosting, and it spreads the cost so you don’t really notice a few pounds here and there. I just nip in to get fresh fruit, veg etc and it’s so easy.

We still have loads from last year DD was going to come up the day after boxing day as she had to work over Christmas, obviously that didn't happen and most of the snacks we bought didn't get eaten and they're still in date

New chest freezer arrived today so stocking up over next few weeks with Christmas meats and vegetables.

I saw, at an impressionable age, the episode of The Good Life where Margot''s Christmas was not delivered.

So I've always bought Stuff over several weeks.

I've got a frozen bacon-swathed turkey joint already (slightly earlier than usual, normally they appear around Thanksgiving) I'll buy more in stages, just like I always do

I bought a big tin of quality street this week.

Yes, but had to stop, as expecting a large number, but if they dont all turn up, or covid hits, I didnt want to be left eating it all until Easter!

Love this thread! Have ordered a turkey crown and a couple of bits from M&S to pick up on 23rd Dec, and I have a few snacks put by (well hidden from the DCs). Will look for the Baileys this week (thanks for the tip). I usually start buying a few things each week from about this time each year but as I may be moving house before Christmas I'm a bit reluctant to buy too much as it will all have to be packed up

Yes and I'm almost done

All from M & S ..

Mushroom galette
Beef joint
Turkey joint
Plant kitchen nut roast
Sausage Garland
Prawns
Pigs in blankets
Stuffing
Turkey pie
Wax wrapped cheeses
Cider and cheese bakes
Cheese biscuits
Chilli jams

Lots of chocolates / Percy Pig bits

So fresh stuff to get along with crisps and drinks and the desserts

@hairwizard - baileys is offer at tescos at moment.£12 fir 1l (clubcard offer) I always buy it in bulk for the year. Never pay £20!

Also got pigs in blankets in freezer, and getting more bits this week - chutney, pudding, pringles etc

No. It's October! My husband's employer gives all the workers a £100 gift card for Tesco (the only time we shop there). We go at about 5 am, a few days before Christmas and get everything in one go. For some reason, we didn't use last year's gift card, so we'll have £200 this time.

@HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule

I may have to watch something during the week then..

@Hairwizard 😂😂👍. I like your style!! I was thinking I might buy another bottle of the Orange Baileys. It's lush chilled.

I've bought all the alcohol (and hidden it). I'm aiming to get it all done by the end of November, so we are currently eating our way through the freezer to make space.