When do you start buying your Christmas food?

[Starlight40]

Just that really, when do you start buying your Christmas food? And what do you buy? I’ve started a bit earlier this year and I’ve started buying party food ready for Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve. I’ve also bought some pigs in blankets. My 15 year old says he wants more than last year. We had 36 between 4 of us but apparently it wasn’t enough! I have also bought most of the ingredients to make some mincemeat. I’m unsure when to make it though. I normally make it by the end of October.

Usually 23/24 December tbh. I have no reason to buy pigs in blankets on September and keep them in the freezer when I can buy fresh just before Christmas.

Around 23rd December. I get it all in one go.

I order my delivery for the 21st or 22nd.

I have crackers with a long life, chocolate (which I have to replace frequently) a jar of cherries in liquer - they will go on a pav, florentines, some pickles (I hate them, but have to buy) several bottles of liquers. This week I will buy some tins of biscuits (some for us, some for presents)
The chocolate coins are in the stockings. Rum and whiskey purchased for presents, may treat husband to a nice malt, too.
I have some ginger wine, and have moved a couple of really nice wines from the rack to be 'Chrismassed'. A few interesting fizzy drinks for the non drinkers/ youngsters.
The fresh things will be bought in Christmas week.
I have been stocking up on things like bacofoil, spices, extra coffee and tea bags, to save having to buy them later

Food shop to be delivered on 23rd when slots are open - that will be most of it

I'll start getting bits in the week or so before then if I see it in passing
Or put a few bits on the food delivery in here and there throughout December

I find if I buy it too early the kids and DH start tucking in so it's pointless

I have a list running with meals, drinks and snacks (and a few edible presents) and I cross them off as I buy them.

I’m hosting 14 this year. I collect the turkey ham and chipolatas and other breakfast things on 23rd or 24th from the local butcher. I get a delivery of fruit and veg which is coming on 23rd and DH will collect the cheese I’ve ordered on 20th.

The sloe gin is ‘maturing’ and we’ll pick up the rest of the alcohol and soft drinks in November, we do a Costco run and I’ll also pick up things like croissants etc which I’ll freeze.

My Christmas cake is already made and I have the mincemeat done too. I’ll do mince pies probably around 22nd/23rd.

We don’t do the full Christmas lasts all of December thing, Christmas normally starts for us around 21st/22nd and it’s over by 27th. We don’t really like chocolate or party food so we don’t buy a lot of it. I’ll do a buffet on Christmas night of sausage rolls, quiche and sandwiches with left over pudding and the guests leave on Boxing Day morning.

We don’t eat cake etc so for Hogmanay it’ll be a seafood platter, some champagne and bed.

Well I am already ahead as I have last years Christmas Pudding in the pantry .

DD, DH and I are vegetarian , DS only eats plain chicken , so no need for Pigs In Blankets here .
I'll buy a nice chicken breast ( in skin if possible) for DS and it can go in the freezer .
I usually get a Sainsbury delivery every week but I'll need to check when I can book for the Christmas times.
I collect Nectar Points which pays for a good old chunk . I;ll start buying frozen and pantry food in early December . Heavy things like tins and drinks , cat food .

Fruit and vegetables maybe on the Sunday . I;m hopefully off on Christmas Eve .

I buy the odd non-perishable here and there from November. Things like biscuits, chocolate, nuts. I quite enjoy looking at a little stockpile, but I also enjoy the process of getting the fresh stuff a day or so before.

25th September when M&S open their food ordering.

But why do you buy stuff now? What is the point??

Our local Aldi pretty much had all the christmas meat you would need, for at least half price on christmas eve. I bought loads of turkey, PIBs, stuffing balls and other bits for the freezer to have throughout the year.

If I am hosting this year, I am going to take a chance there. If they have nothing (unlikely, its been the same the last few years) Ill just go to the local sainsburys or Tesco as they will still have stuff there.

Start buying booze in November, everything else the last two weeks before the big day, perishables on the 23rd.

Perhaps not everyone has the money to lay out all in one go, so adding bits here and there takes the 'sting' out of it for them?

I pick up bits that get harder to get closer to Christmas from November, have 2 freezers so plenty of storage space.
Already got some chocolates and snacky bits.

Nothing wrong with being prepared and getting things early.

Maybe because I don;t want to be the harrassed soul in the Supermarket with a trolley that needs a tug boat to steer it !

I have a Christmas Shelf in the pantry so something I can buy ahead might as well sit on my shelf than the supermarket .

And one year I had flu , proper flu that floors you , I had to shop on the 23rd while DH was in with the DC (he doesn;t drive ) I vowed Never Again

I can;t help if someone is ill but I can be organised

MissEloiseBridgerton · Today 18:40
But why do you buy stuff now? What is the point??

Some people need to spread the cost and the load. Some of us just like to.
I would hate leaving things until the last minute, I am a planner. Having invited 10 people (and expect more) on Christmas day, I want to be sure I have what I need. Leaving the meat and veg until the week is necessary, but makes me fidgity!
For me it's a week, not just the day, and I will be feeding people all week, be it coffee and cake or lunch. I like doing it, I like planning, and I have very generous family members who will bring drinks and puds.

I've already bought the crackers!. Jacobs were onospecial offer.

The Best Before Date was 15 September, but I've tried them and they seemed fine, so I closed up the packet and have put them at the back of the cupboard until Christmas Day.

Just waiting to see if the Dairylea Triangles pop-up going cheap now. Yum yum.

Because it spreads the cost out.

Some people love Christmas and the anticipation/build up to the big day (this is me)

Because everyone is different, and some may have lots to plan/cater for

Thanks @Starlight40 love a Christmas food thread

I get it in the week leading up to Christmas too. Meat and veg as close to the day as possible. Dessert ingredients maybe a week before Christmas so I can prepare in the lead up. I prepare and freeze Yorkshire puds and stuffing on the 23rd, everything else is kept fresh (because I don't trust myself with frozen meat/food poisoning)

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

I am getting used to your sense of humour, now!
At least, I hope you are being funny, and will have a good Christmas.

This. Buy Xmas food a few days before I cook it.

I MAY start to collect chocolates and long life stuff earlier, but never before December. Would only get eaten and have to buy more!!

This. Also get whatever is going roast-wise reduced significantly on the 24th.

A couple of weeks before Christmas. Turkey and veg go off!

Making the cake this week. The rest will start rolling in from November