When Is the Best Day to Do Your Christmas Food Shop in 2025?
With Christmas Day falling on Thursday 25 December 2025, British households are already turning their attention to the festive food shop. For many, the prospect of crowded aisles, long queues and panic buying can overshadow the excitement of preparing for the most indulgent meal of the year. However, with the right planning and timing, it is entirely possible to breeze through the final food shop without stress.
Richard Price, British Grocery Expert at BritSuperstore, explains that the key to a smooth Christmas shop lies in choosing the right day and time. According to Price, experienced shoppers plan well in advance, using strategy rather than luck to avoid the rush that builds as the holiday approaches.
Price recommends that the least stressful and most productive days for a Christmas food shop in 2025 will be Thursday 18 December and Friday 19 December. During this window, supermarkets are usually fully stocked with festive essentials, yet footfall remains relatively manageable. Shoppers will find shelves replenished, staff available, and far less competition for popular items such as pigs in blankets, luxury desserts, stuffing mixes and party food.
In comparison, the weekend before Christmas is traditionally one of the busiest periods of the entire retail calendar. Saturday 20 December, in particular, is expected to bring a surge of last-minute shoppers, resulting in long queues, reduced stock availability and an atmosphere that many would prefer to avoid. Sunday may offer slightly calmer conditions, but the closer shoppers get to Christmas Eve, the more intense the crowds become.
Christmas Eve remains the most chaotic shopping day of the year, with many people attempting to pick up forgotten ingredients or making a last-minute dash for fresh items. Richard Price advises strongly against leaving any essential shopping until the 24th, explaining that the experience is usually rushed and stressful, with limited stock and many items already sold out. While Monday 23 December might be slightly calmer than Christmas Eve, it still brings considerable crowds and congested aisles.
For those purchasing non-perishable goods, frozen items or anything with a long shelf life, Monday 15 December is the ideal starting point. This early start allows shoppers to secure key ingredients well in advance, spreading the cost of Christmas and avoiding the December rush. Price suggests freezing items such as bread, vegetables, certain desserts and even the turkey itself, provided there is adequate freezer space. He notes that early preparation not only ensures availability but also provides families with the peace of mind that the essentials are already secured.
Choosing the right time of day is equally important. Early mornings remain the best option for those wishing to avoid crowds. Stores are restocked overnight, meaning that early shoppers have the widest selection and the quietest environment. For those unable to attend first thing, late-evening shopping during extended holiday hours offers another opportunity to find reduced-priced items suitable for freezing. Price highlights that savvy shoppers often head to supermarkets after 7pm to take advantage of markdowns on bakery goods, vegetables and other items that can be stored away for later use.
Planning is at the heart of a stress-free shop. Price advises creating a detailed written shopping list organised into clear sections such as fresh produce, meat and fish, bakery, beverages, pantry staples and festive extras. By dividing the list, shoppers can navigate the store efficiently and avoid unnecessary detours. He also highlights the importance of eating before leaving home, as shopping hungry is one of the biggest triggers for overspending and impulse buying. Delegating tasks among family members can also help reduce overwhelm, especially for those juggling multiple households or hosting duties.
For luxury shoppers, premium retailers such as Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Booths typically release their festive food slots and speciality items early. Pre-ordering showstoppers such as centrepiece roasts, Christmas puddings, seafood platters and cheese selections can help ensure availability, particularly for families hosting larger gatherings or those seeking gourmet options. Many supermarkets also offer early collection services, allowing customers to avoid the main shop altogether.
Online grocery delivery remains another option, but availability can be limited during Christmas week. Price recommends booking delivery slots as early as possible, as they can fill up months in advance. Click-and-collect services offer a compromise: guaranteed stock without navigating the aisles.
Ultimately, the aim is to remove stress from what should be an enjoyable part of the festive build-up. With Christmas Day falling late in the week, more shoppers will attempt their final food run on the preceding weekend, magnifying potential crowds. By using the expert-recommended dates of 18 and 19 December, families can enjoy a calmer, more organised shopping experience, leaving plenty of time to prepare, cook and celebrate without chaos.
BritSuperstore’s insights offer a valuable guide for anyone wanting to stay ahead this festive season. With thoughtful planning, early preparation and smart timing, Christmas 2025 can be enjoyed exactly as it should be: filled with joy, abundance and ease, rather than supermarket stress.
