Shopping for food at Christmas is possibly one of the most stressful parts of Christmas.
I worked in a supermarket for 16 years and Christmas was always one of my favourite times of year, everyone was (mostly) cheerier, the time just flew past and it was the one time you could eat on the shopfloor – chocolate anyone?
However, there are some tips I have to share:
- Don’t leave the Christmas essentials to the last minute. They’ve been in stock since September so don’t expect the aisles to be overflowing with mince pies and other festive treats
- Order your Turkey Crown. I normally find Turkey’s are still in stock until Christmas Eve (especially frozen ones), however, if you are after a Turkey Crown get in early or order it
- Expect to queue – it is the supermarkets busiest time of year, they have every checkout open, there is nothing more they can do to get you through any quicker
- The busiest days are usually the 22nd and 23rd December and the morning of Christmas Eve
- If you don’t like to queue, want the freshest ingredients then shop overnight. Beware that there will be a lot of staff and cages to dodge on the shopfloor.
- If you can, go without the kids………shopping is always 10x more stressful with them in tow
- Don’t forget the vouchers – I always save my Nectar points and Clubcard vouchers to help pay for the shopping this time of year. If shopping online, also check Sainsburys Voucher Codes for more deals.
- Grab a bargain – Christmas Eve afternoon is a great time to get a bargain, especially if they still have vegetables overflowing in the aisles, but don’t rely on them being fully stocked
- Check opening and closing times. The supermarket will shut early on Christmas Eve as the staff have home to go to too (the sheer number of people we used to turn away was staggering).
- Don’t worry if you have forgotten anything. Most Tesco Express / Sainsbury’s Local stores are open on Christmas Day
I hope these tips have helped – I am off to do my shopping tomorrow.
Happy Christmas xx
I dread the Christmas rush, people do seem to go overboard with shopping at Christmas. I will be up bright and early Christmas Eve to pick my turkey up and will call in at the supermarket then x
Great tips and I love your trolley dividers!
I always love the christmas food shop. My Mum and I get up super early Christmas Eve morning (5am) go around and do all the shopping and treat ourselves to a breakfast after. We then get back together in the afternoon and sit with a couple of glasses of wine and do the food preparation for Christmas Day. She did this with my grandmother way back when and its such nice quality time just the two of us
That is such a lovely idea, not sure my daughter will be up for getting up that early though LOL
Fab tips – now off to tackle that Christmas food shopping!
I am hosting Christmas Eve so did my food shop last Friday for that – mostly nibbles etc and plan to pop to the local village on 23rd for the fresh bits. I do loathe the shopping at this time of year x
Great tips. Our Christmas shopping was done last night thank goodness. Everyone goes mad around Christmas! I did however forget to use my money off voucher 🙁
No matter how much I plan, there is always something that needs to be bought on Christmas Eve! Need to get more organised 🙂
Fab tips. I wish I had read this earlier! We endured a hellish few hours at Tesco and Aldi this afternoon, it was quite the ordeal!!!!
Already the supermarket queues are filling up, some stores I see people queuing outside it is mad!
I hate all the fuss and moaning from other people that goes with Christmas shopping. I fetch some cards the other day and everyone looked like they were going to pop with madness. I leave thing till the last minute by try to chilli as it is my fault. I always say next year I will be more organised, but I never am! Great tips Kara 🙂
I am doing the food shop tonight and I am dreading it! I am leaving the kids at home and thankfully already have a turkey crown ordered at the local butchers xx
I love bargains but don’t see myself shopping so late. I like to get organised and as you said not leave it to the last minute 🙂 Great tips.
Great tips. To be honest my Christmas shop was ordered on line weeks ago, I hate going to the shops unless its for presents 🙂
Fantastic tips! I always shop the last minute.
Some great tips. One of us is hoping to go tommorow without the kids x
Some great tips. I really wish I’d read this before. We went yesterday and spent nearly FOUR HOURS food shopping. It was so busy. x