Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

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

Original poster

Sooo......last minute shoppers....why?

139 replies

McManus1 · 23/12/2023 19:06

It's Christmas.....you have known about it for a year, why are you ordering gifts last minute or food on Christmas eve?

Genuine wonder.

OP posts:
KateyCuckoo · 23/12/2023 19:07

Why does it matter as long as they're ready?

Borris · 23/12/2023 19:08

Some people were paid yesterday

1AngelicFruitCake · 23/12/2023 19:09

I get overwhelmed with the amount of other presents, neighbours, children’s friends etc so end up getting last things as thought I had more then I did have!

OhpoorMe · 23/12/2023 19:11

Because I work like a packhorse right up until this week when I can finally breathe and think about Christmas!

Jeffjefftyjeff · 23/12/2023 19:11

one present didn’t turn up (ordered a while ago, tracking kept promising delivery that didn’t happen); seeing an extended family member unexpectedly and don’t want them to feel out when others opening gifts

MrsMiagi · 23/12/2023 19:12

Biggest discounts are usually last minute. I save loads this way. Some people only just got paid. Some people might be working, have caring responsibilities, busy etc.
Doesn't matter really does it. Shops are open so why not use them?

SummerSazz · 23/12/2023 19:14

I'm going food shopping tomorrow because I don't like online shopping (missed items so you have to go anyway) and I don't like the madness of 2-3 days before.

I've not 'been disorganised', rather it is my plan. I've been on Xmas eve before and it's dead. Also I'm not the type to think something is a disaster if I can't get anything. Hoping for an array of yellow sticker items too 😂

We have a turkey from the local farm so we'll be fine 😊

Lantyslee · 23/12/2023 19:14

I won't be shopping on Christmas Eve but the food planning/shopping and last of the present buying have happened this week and I'll be wrapping all the presents tomorrow, as usual. Why? Because I couldn't be bothered thinking about it any earlier and because we've been busy with other stuff including a new job and last minute holiday.

Surely it doesn't matter when people make their preprations?

sunglassesonthetable · 23/12/2023 19:15

*It's Christmas.....you have known about it for a year, why are you ordering gifts last minute or food on Christmas eve?

Genuine wonder.*

I'd call it genuine lack of imagination.

WhatsInStoreFor2024 · 23/12/2023 19:16

I'm on nights

Fresh stuff has better dates

Fridge/freezer space

Lots of reasons op.... lots

WhatsInStoreFor2024 · 23/12/2023 19:17

And it's not Christmas Eve...

starsinthegutter · 23/12/2023 19:17

Why not?!

WhatsInStoreFor2024 · 23/12/2023 19:17

Online subs and out of stocks

Iloveraccoons · 23/12/2023 19:19

Because I've got ADHD and find it impossible to do anything without the pressure of it having to be done RIGHT NOW.

HTH.

TodayForTomorrow · 23/12/2023 19:19

I don't see it as last minute if I planned to do it all along.

Did my food shopping this morning and got everything I wanted. No substitutions, no cancellations, I was home by 8am and it's all there in my fridge.

BoohooWoohoo · 23/12/2023 19:19

People ordering food today /tomorrow booked their slot weeks/months ago (depending on the supplier)

Iloveraccoons · 23/12/2023 19:19

Also because if I bought gifts 6 weeks ago I would have told everyone what I got them and/or given them the gifts because I can't keep secrets and the excitement is too much. Also likely ADHD related.

Iloveraccoons · 23/12/2023 19:20

Oh and 3rd reason I live in a tiny flat and have nowhere to store everyone's gifts so it's easier to buy them 2 days before, leave them in the car boot and wrap on Christmas eve and back into the boot they go

TeenLifeMum · 23/12/2023 19:21

Been working and on assignment deadlines but knew I’d be done by Thursday so planned trip to our lovely nearest city and got some last bits then today popped into town to collect an order from the local bakery and while there got some final bits for inlaws. They don’t arrive until late tomorrow so it’s not that last minute. I haven’t even finished wrapping… but will do that tonight with wine. What’s the rush?

Spinet · 23/12/2023 19:22

Mind yer own beeswax!

Mumtime2 · 23/12/2023 19:25

It is all part of the season, to forget, be part of the mad rush, and I forgot to buy Santa's present, which is vital.
I also work so much I don't get time to shop but love my online shopping as it made this year's variety better than what we can find in our limited city.
Ps, who can afford to shop throughout the year with expenses and birthdays! Or is that organised...we have lives.

thistimelastweek · 23/12/2023 19:26

Because shopping is fucking horrible and I fucking hate it and I can only bring myself to do it because all other excuses and deadlines have run out.

Chronicallymothering · 23/12/2023 19:29

We had an Ocado booked as usual, but then decided to go away for Xmas somewhere relatively last minute just the 4 of us. Ocado don’t deliver to this area, and all the slots were gone for supermarkets by the time we changed plans. I haven’t shopped at Xmas in an actual shop since 2005.

CuteAsDuck · 23/12/2023 19:30

Jobs, family circumstances, physical or mental health difficulties or neurodivergence that makes planning ahead difficult.

Changes in income/finances mid year that have made forward planning/buying in advance tricky. Or simply that some people live month to month and there is no wiggle room in the year to buy stuff in advance of December pay!

Changes in other circumstances that have impacted planning etc (see point one - closely linked).

Waiting on food discounts or sales starting early.

Some people like the last minute rush also.

FuckinghellthatsUnbelievable · 23/12/2023 19:31

Yellow stickers tomorrow. I have all the basics in but go on a freezer filling extravaganza. Tonight at little local coop I got 5 packs chicken breasts. 4 packs bacon medallions and 2 packs of sausages for under 10 quid.