With Christmas day less than two weeks away, the daunting task of the festive food shop is looming for many households.
Luckily for us, Fred Harrington, CEO of Coupon Mister, has devised the ultimate strategy to make your Christmas food shop less chaotic.
According to experts, Thursday December 19 and Friday December 20 are the best days to visit the supermarkets. The stores should be relatively quiet and well-stocked, eliminating the need to fight over the last packet of pigs in blankets.
Timing is the secret weapon that distinguishes experienced shoppers from overwhelmed novices, with early mornings and evenings usually being the best times to hit the shops.
Choose the right days, and you could sail through half-empty aisles, but choose poorly, and it’s a battlefield.
Cest days to do your Christmas food shop
“According to supermarket experts, Wednesday and Thursday are the prime days for discounts, so Thursday the 19th could be the perfect time,” suggests Fred. “Stores often replenish and introduce new deals midweek, providing you with the opportunity to save on everything from pantry essentials to festive indulgences.”
For non-perishable items or anything that can be frozen, Monday, December 16 is the ideal time for stress-free shopping.
“On Monday the 16th, you can stock up on the essentials with plenty of time to spare,” advises Fred. “Pop your turkey and other perishables in the freezer, and you’ll be laughing all the way to the big day.”
Best time of day to shop
When it comes to the best time of day to shop, Fred suggests arriving as soon as the store opens for a less stressful experience.
The shelves are freshly stocked and the crowds haven’t rolled in yet, so you’ll have first dibs on everything. Another tip is to take advantage of a store’s seasonal late opening hours, reports The Mirror.
Most supermarkets will have extended opening hours to cope with the Christmas rush, with some even staying open 24 hours a day. Shopping later in the day is also a good time to pick up marked-down items to pop in the freezer.
Fred said: “My top tip is to grab a few extra loaves for Boxing Day sandwiches”
Where is best place to shop?
As for the best place to shop, Which? magazine has named Aldi as the best supermarket for Christmas food shopping for the second consecutive year. In a survey of over 8,000 Which? members, Aldi scored an impressive 84%, outperforming Marks and Spencer (82%), Waitrose (80%), and Lidl (78%).
Participants rated the quality, taste, and value for money of their Christmas food purchases, as well as how likely they were to recommend the supermarket to others.
Participants rated the quality, taste, and value for money of their Christmas food purchases, as well as how likely they were to recommend the supermarket to others.
Days to avoid Christmas food shopping
It’s tempting to leave things until the last minute, but if you want to avoid the worst of the madness, steer clear of the final Saturday before Christmas, December 21 and the midday rush on Christmas Eve. The aisles will be heaving and the shelves will probably be empty anyway.
“Saturday shoppers mean long queues and less stock, while Christmas Eve brings a madcap last-minute rush,” says Fred. “The 23rd might be a little quieter, but not by much. You’re better off going shopping the week before than risking it in the final hour.”
Final tips for a stress-free shop
Fred shared some more top tips to make that last Christmas shop less of a chore:
Preparation is key:
Start with a clear, written list divided into sections (e.g., fresh produce, pantry items, speciality treats).
- A well-organised list makes navigating the store easier and prevents impulse purchases.
- Planning ahead ensures you stay roughly within your budget before stepping into the store.
Delegate tasks:
- Involve family or friends to share the workload.
- Assign specific shopping tasks to make the process more manageable.
Don’t shop hangry:
- Eat before shopping to make better decisions and avoid overbuying unnecessary items.
