Does anybody feel like they're going to struggle to do their Christmas shopping this year...

[guiltynetter]

As the shops seem to have such little stock in them?! I went into a large shopping town near me today. Primark had hardly anything, smallest range of girls pyjamas and shoes I've ever seen and no variety of sizes in most of them. A lot of empty shelves. Went into H&M to look at kids party wear and they had one sparkly skirt and that's it (I've been looking at loads online) Next had no mens shirts and one pair of boys pj's! Literally none and they said there's a supply chain issue.

I know i can shop online but I have a tight budget and if I'm going to be paying £3.99 postage on everything its going to be really tough . Also the chore of returning things when they're not right is just added work on top of everything else I have to do 🙈

Just a rant I suppose and wondered if everyone else is finding the same. I feel like I wasted 2 hours of precious child free time today...

It’s all online. Better for the environment and much wider choice.

I hear ya OP on the delivery charges but it’s cheaper in bus tickets/parking/fuel and impulse buys.

Try the supermarkets for PJs and party dresses.

I have done most of mine in the past week online, haven’t had a issue getting anything. Going to real shops (primark, home bargains) this week to get a few small bits and stocking fillers but not too bothered what I can and can’t get.

M&S have a offer in kids pj’s?
Look at Next online for party wear?

I think the issues is with the shortage of lorry drivers getting deliveries out to places like primark and H&M

It is kind of sad that we are being forced to buy online and not on the high street.

I don't have an issue with buying online really, it's just the postage and also when something comes and it doesn't look like it does online, it's traipsing back into the shops to return or to the post office if its free returns. Kind of feels like double the work. I feel like I'm old fashioned I just want to go into a shop, and buy it 😅 I like feeling the material of things before I buy etc. I'm really on a budget so was hoping for primark to come up a bit more fruitful.

Next party wear yes it's gorgeous and I picked up a gold dress for my DD today but at £26 it's definitely out of my price range 🙈

Mine is finished and wrapped, no issues.

Have a look on vinted or ebay for a nice party dress? I rarely buy new clothes for me or the kids as there’s so many bargains 2nd hand.

I do know what you mean, I hate ordering some things online, they often turn up and look nothing like what I expected.

Luckily I have access to 2 different primark, one is quite big and I’m hoping they will have more stock. Places like B&M and home bargains don’t really sell online either so I like to go there for a few cheap bits.

I bought nearly everything online... many have free delivery.

It is annoying when you find something great and then there's a minimum spend you cant hit or postage is crazy money (like £7.99 for something that's £5) but in general its pretty easy to shop online.

Got most of mine done in John Lewis this morning. Didn't notice any particular shortages.

Most high street stores and supermarkets do free click and collect. I order in, collect and try on there and the. If store have changing rooms, then return anything that's no good straight away. Or I collect things from random places close to home - TU clothing/Argos can be collected from any Sainsbury, even the little food only ones, same with M&S. Asda also a free collect and drop point for loads of online retailers.

Imagine just swishing into John Lewis and doing most of your Christmas shopping in one hit...it really is another world on here sometimes 😅

Just bought a couple of things online using my blue discount so kind of told myself that pays for the postage.

I only have a small family, so not many people to buy for.

I went to Next and Marks and. Spencer today just to get a few stocking fillers Next was so low in stock. Looking for PJ comfy Christmas trousers for my sons …selection so poor and sooo expensive!£28 pair and packet of boxers pack of £24 !! M ans S had absolutely no men’s lounge wear . So 2 pairs pj bottoms and two packets of boxers were over £80 …bloody shocking !

Have you tried asda for pjs? You can click and collect so don't need to pay postage and I find the quality it quite good. If you sign up to a h&m account/membership thing you get free delivery so you could try there as well. Smyths do free delivery over 25 quid I think which with toys is easy to reach, same with the entertainer toyshop. Superdrug offer free delivery over 15 quid if you have a rewards card.

I hear you OP. I went to Primark last week to get my kids' Christmas pyjamas (I say kids, they're teens to twenties) and really struggled to find anything nice, the ones I did like weren't available in the sizes I wanted.
I've been trying to get a Ted Baker washbag set for one DC, not available in any of the Boots I've tried.
Wanted new lights for the tree, must have tried 10 different shops before I got them.
Everywhere just seems so low on stock.
I recall last year that by early December, there wasn't a single Christmas thing to be found in the shops - cards, wrap, decorations etc - so I promised myself this year I'd shop early; however it seems to be the same this year 😔

I'm so glad it's not just me 🤞

Do you follow the Xmas bargains thread on here? I’ve found it really useful in terms of getting stuff online for as cheap as possible

Yes
I cannot decide what tree to get for starters. And I still have not managed to order any mince pies or cards etc. I have not even bought any decorations or wrapping paper either, must hurry up. On Thursday I'm going in town to shop for most things hopefully including decorations, cards and wrapping paper. And I might even purchase a new toy while I'm at it plus chocolates and sweets for afters on Christmas Day. And advent calendars as well.

Shopping online is worth it I suppose if u know you're going to spend a certain amount to get free delivery or click and collect. I do tend to order a lot from amazon, smyths, boots.
I'm one of those people who buys throughout the year and in sales (kids have sept and oct birthdays) so I'm not panicking about presents really.
I have started to buy little and often with my tesco shop so I have a good few snacks put aside, and our frozen main dinner (oh is a pescatarian so I got a nice no meat pork and cranberry Wellington from tesco) some pigs in blankets if kids want them. Also frozen cinnamon swirls for Xmas brekkie. Will get drinks and veg nearer the time.
It's always frustrating when you can't find stuff in the sizes you want but I find thats a year around thing for me and the kids anyway lol

A lot places like Next, M&S and Smyths do free delivery to store if you’re local to them. It’s just not the same, going out for a day to do your Christmas shopping, now it’s just all online and wait days for giant boxes to arrive. Sick of boxes everywhere!