How are your elderly parents going to do their christmas shopping?

[Skipsurvey]

in fact how is everyone intending to do their Christmas shopping ?
worried about by stubborn mother who refused my suggestion that I buy online for her.

Both my mum and inlaws are in Scotland. They're all shopping as normal. My mum volunteers in a charity shop so is probably more at risk there than popping into other shops.

my dm also volunteers in a charity shop @Dinosauratemydaffodils

My mum only ever gifts cash so no issues there.

I bought my gifts pre lockdown 2 on early shopping trip when I heard it was looming. My food I'm getting a few bits each week with click and collect. I will probably still hit the shops but dont plan any big or important gifts / food that way.

quite a few local shops are either doing click and collect or free home delivery if you spend over a certain amount. Food shopping slots are easier to come by, just buy in early for whatever you can and get fresh things either delivered by local shops or click and collect.

I dislike crowded shops, I'm enjoying the home deliveries from local shops and they appreciate the custom.

When I went shopping before lockdown and we were in tier 3 I saw loads of elderly in city centre clearly not grocery shopping.

My parents did most of the shopping online and only go food shopping to avoid catching covid. This is in a country with much less cases than here...

My dad is 86 and has always asked for Amazon links for the past 15 years.

Thankfully he's always stayed up to date with technology and all the latest phones/computers.

It's very difficult with older people who aren't savvy with ordering online.

I'm probably going to sound like a bit of a t**t here, but how can we protect the vulnerable as we are being told to if they are off out shopping etc? I don't want them to be under house arrest but the shops are going to be crazy in December, it feels too risky.

My Gran will be doing what she always does and going out shopping. She has been all throughout lockdown to the supermarkets, B&M etc so already has a lot in. She gets great pleasure in going out shopping and was so miserable during the first lockdown when she shielded that she refuses to that again.

Food shopping I get it same as every week. I have Asda deliveries booked every week until Christmas and then I drop it round,
Presents- I have bought some stuff for her and my Dad, also she can work ebay. She won’t have to go to real shops.

My mum goes to Marks almost daily for something to do and her daily milk. She's their biggest fan and I should think will be at the door at 9am on the 3rd!

So they will be back in the shops like they have been throughout.

i think the shops, ie, M & S, need to set apart vulnerable shopping times

i agree @storminabuttercup it is a worry

and the vulnerable shopping needs to be at a convenient time, not before 9 if they are travelling by bus to get there!

Definitely online.

Elderly relatives buying online.
All groceries online and all Christmas shopping online.

Mine will be shopping online. They are better with technology than I am!

We’ve agreed not to really bother with presents this year, my mum has brought a few things from local garden Centre. I’ve managed to get my parents a Christmas Tesco slot!!

I did quite a lot in aug!!

My DM does online shopping. She has for years now.

I’m a tad jealous of her new IPad. It’s better than mine. 👿

My DF is online food shopping. He was in the Tesco queue at 6.55am waiting for his food slots. He asked the GC to do their present lists early and has either got them sent to him or done C&C.
MIL has drawn a large amount of cash out for presents and has it 'hidden' in her front room next to her permanently unlocked front door. DBIL is doing her main food shops and she's walking to the corner shop for the rest.

Online like usual

My 78 yr old mum has developed an Amazon habit she gives me and my sister lists we have created a shopping monster HaHa

We've persuaded the oldies not to bother this year. The shops are going to be horrendous in December and we dont want them to feel under any pressure. They can do online but then they have to pay postage, just seems so unnecessary this year.

and the vulnerable shopping needs to be at a convenient time, not before 9 if they are travelling by bus to get there. I can understand your comments but it is your DMs choice not to do online shopping.

My DM has often says this about vulnerable shopping hours. She refuses to even try online shopping, will not get out of bed in time to go to M&S before 9 but seems to think that M&S and all of the their other customers should bend over backwards to accommodate her.

Sorry OP you say your mum volunteers in a charity shop but you class her as so vulnerable that she needs a specify shopping time, suited around public transport?

I suppose it depends what you mean by elderly but my parents, late 70s, will do what they've always done, a mixture of shops and online