Would I be mad to do the big food shop at M&S, rather than Aldi?

[CharlotteSometimes1]

This will be the first time in 16 years that Christmas will be just us and our young adult dc and we’re all hoping for a chilled out time. I’ve always bought the food from Aldi/Tesco and cooked it all from scratch, but I’m wondering if I should make life easier by getting the lot from M&S, but I have questions. What are the portion sizes like? What’s the quality, will it taste great? I expect it’ll be more expensive, but will it be eye watering? Will it be bombed out and is there a good time to go? I’m happy to pay more for the convenience if it really is easier and tastes good.

I agree, the prices are really high this year. Have you seen the arctic Colin? £16!! And that wasn’t as expensive as the Christmas desserts.

I no longer buy into that one. I've done both and I prefer M & S ready meals any day. Their combinations and recipes are way more imaginative than I could ever be

I’ve got my eye on their ultimate chocolate log, which has ganache rather than nasty buttercream that supermarkets tend to use for cakes and chocolate logs. I’m sure it will taste divine, but it’s £15.50 and whilst I know they’re running a business and the price of chocolate has gone up hugely over the past few years, I can’t justify spending that much on a desert. So it’s a good job they reduce all their Christmas food on the 27th 😉

I braved M&S today when it was pouring with rain and windy. I was lucky as it was practically empty but all the Christmas food was out and all good until 26th December. I got all I needed with no hassle whatsoever. Still got a Sainsbury's Click and Collect for milk, bread, vegetables, etc. on Monday, so I am set!!

Yes I went into ours at lunchtime, it was quiet and very well stocked, people say the supermarkets will be rammed but I don’t think they are since the advent of online grocery shopping, we will carry on popping in and out as usual till Christmas, we don’t do one big shop.

I pay as much as I can afford for the best ingredients at Christmas. I love cooking but it matters having good meat.

I get everything from M&S, we’re a family of five adults. We’re not really into going mad on the presents but do all like to get involved choosing the food and then my DH collect it on Christmas Eve.
We did think about going out for Christmas lunch and then decided against it. Our massive M&S order which is food for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day is half the price of the one meal
out so my logic is I’m saving money.