Does anyone know when M&S Xmas food opens?

[Geranium879]

I thought it was the 1st of September, but every time I look it says “coming soon”, unless I’m looking at the wrong thing or need to clear my cache or something?! I want to pick a good slot you see! 🎄thanks

A few years ago it was 4th October, but yes, last year was definitely earlier, but I think still mid to late Sept.

I've just checked properly instead of guessing and it was 24th September last year.

Came across your thread as I'm also searching for the Waitrose and Sainsbury's food delivery slot opening dates.

Also, to add that I'm hoping that means they will have brochures in store next week to browse. I hope its not all online.

I have stalked M&S this week and have been in four times. This time last year they had my absolute favourite Spiced Shortbread already in stock along with the slabs of Christmas cake. This year they only have the cake making stuff, cranberry sauce and usual Shortbread tins. Oh and the merry much which is now a tenner.

Agree with Rainbow above - it was the 24 September last year so I'll be checking closely from mid-September onwards. I'm hosting Christmas for the first time this year and I'll need M&S to avoid losing my mind!

We live quite rurally and don’t drive so M&S Christmas food was never an option (usually get Tesco delivery)
However, I have just realised we will be in a city on 23rd December so technically I could this year.

What’s worth having?

From looking at previous threads people tend to rate the meats, the parsnips and the desserts, especially the chocolate pine cones. Other things like the potatoes, pigs in blankets and other veg can have mixed reviews. I'm going for a slow cooked turkey crown, parsnips and the pine cones, and maybe a few other things that catch my eye. My main objective is to not be faffing with a turkey for hours so I have more time to socialise and drink fizz.

I always have my turkey crown and gammon joints from M&S and I do think they’re much nicer than anywhere else we’ve tried previously.
The pigs in blankets are dreadful, you’re better off getting them elsewhere. The bacon shrivels up and falls off.
Desserts are good, but expensive and always have a really short dates on them.
The roast carrots & parsnips, cauliflower cheese & red cabbage are all nice. I think we tried the roast potatoes one year and they weren’t great, I make my own now.

Thanks Waffle! I've heard very similar opinions across previous Mumsnet posts. I think I'm going to make my own pigs in blankets by wrapping cocktail sausages in pancetta and Delia has a good recipe for red cabbage. I don't mind work the day before but I want Xmas day to be as stressful free as possible.

I'm usually in M&S a few times a week, so I'll post on here if I see the catalogue.

And I'll also post on here if I see that the online orders have gone live. 👍🏻

Same! Hosting. Have two young kids. M&S all the way for sanity!

thanks for replies - will check from mid sept onwards !

Geranium, I'm hosting for seven people including my two daughters aged 9 and 7. Numbers wise that's ok as I'm used to hosting for more. That said, my issue isn't the children, it's hosting my BIL who has absolutely no manners and loves to monologue ... at length. He hosted last year, kept reminding us how much he'd paid for the beef 🙄 and didn't serve Christmas 'lunch' until 9 pm.

Anyway, I guess that's another thread. I'll stick to M&S chat! 😄

Their turkey crowns are always very nice, but they’ve increased in price to a ridiculous amount. They’re good, but they’re not that good. We used to buy quite a lot from them every year, but it’s definitely not as good as it used to be.

Having said that, if they’re selling any kind of chocolate cake, grab it because they are always beautiful.

No need for Xmas food until mid December the earliest.

Sorry, you do know you are posting on the Christmas thread?! We are Christmas mad here! Come 1st December I’ll be munching on the mince pies…

Google M and S Christmas food 2025 for a preview. I think the Sun have done an article. I’ve got my eye on the ‘Popping Down the Chimney’ dessert. £25 though!

Ooh I’ll have a look for the article thanks @Theonewhogotthecake !

Go away!

Eh?! We're discussing M&S because their Xmas food order slots open this month and they quickly fill up. Trust me, once I've done my order I won't be thinking about Christmas for a while. And like 'Theone' says, this is the Christmas topic, so err ...

@RainbowZebraWarrior you just reminded me with this…my absolute favourite Spiced Shortbread already in stock

Do you (or anyone else) know anything about any of the decorative tins they do, usually filled with biscuits I think? Not necessarily Christmas themed, just decorative. I rarely go into M&S and can’t see any on the website.

Maybe another 2 weeks ish, can't wait!

I'm going into M&S in an hour so I'll take some photos for you and post them here later. They already had a lot of the Stag Shortbread tins last week.

This is the Christmas board for starters. Secondly, if you want a delivery or collection slot with any shop, you need to book as soon as possible when the slots are released otherwise you may find you can’t get a slot. Not all of the food to collect is available in store either.

Thank you!

Some pics of what's in store as of this morning

Some of the chocolates etc are also making their way onto the shelves

M&S Christmas meat always good and very well organised in the shop!