Brits are being told of the best dates and times to do their Christmas food shop to avoid a last-minute fight for festive favourites.
The frugal experts at MuscleFood.com have also revealed the times of the day when supermarkets are likely to reduce products to bargain prices.
Shopping in December can be stressful as many shoppers flock to stores in a panicked rush to stock up for Christmas.
The mass panic can make it difficult to get festive essentials such as veggies, stuffing mix and turkeys.
And farmers are already warning there may be a shortage of potatoes and parsnips due to wet weather.
The experts at Musclefood have revealed which dates and times in the lead-up to Christmas are best to stock up on the essentials so Brits can get everything they need for the big day.
They’ve also researched the times when products are likely to be reduced or even offered for free so they can be frozen and used later in the month.
Ashleigh Tosh, frugal expert from MuscleFood.com, said: “The Christmas food shop – we all dread it, but we have to do it.
“No matter what, it’s always going to be busier than usual as Brits get in a panic and think they need to stuff their fridge and cupboards to the brim to prepare for Christmas.
“There’s always the option to shop online and get better deals while festive promotions are available and without the hassle of dealing with busy shoppers. However, we know some people like to visit stores in hopes of last-minute price reductions.
“That’s why we wanted to research which are the best dates and times to visit the supermarket so everyone gets what they need for their family at Christmas – and grab a bargain along the way.”
Here are the best times and dates to do the Christmas food shop:
- The evening of Christmas Eve
The idea of going shopping on Christmas Eve usually sounds like a nightmare, but the evening may be the best time for bargain hunters.
Most of the major retailers close on Christmas Day, meaning there’ll be a huge amount of items going out of date. Many of them will likely be reduced in the evening as they’ll otherwise be wasted. Some will reduce the prices of veggies like carrots to pennies and even for free.
- Sundays (3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th December) – late afternoon
The bakery section at most supermarkets tends to drastically reduce the price of goods as they’ll otherwise be thrown away.
Bread, pastries and even cakes can be reduced to as low as 10p. It’s worth stocking up and storing them in the freezer to use later for a Christmas feast.
- Opening hours
If you’re unable to spare an evening to do the food shop, opening hours are the best shot at getting the best stock available. The products will be freshly replenished for early shoppers to purchase, so make the most before they all go.
- Thursday (21st) and Friday (22nd) in the evening
For those wanting a quieter shop, the days before Christmas weekend are the best dates to get the goods in. While it’s likely not all the items will be available on shelves, it’ll be a much more pleasant experience than the day after (23rd) which will be a busy Saturday.
- The Monday before Christmas – 18th December
A week in advance means there is plenty of time to get the goods in without having to deal with last-minute panicked shoppers. There will still be the main parts of the dinner such as the Turkey available, so make sure to get it before it goes out of stock and pop it in the freezer.
- Book delivery slots as early as possible
There’s still a chance to pre-order grocery deliveries to arrive in time for Christmas. Don’t think it has to be solely on the 23rd or Christmas Eve, as the items can be simply frozen and defrosted for the big day.