Asda, Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons are among the supermarket retailers to release the final dates shoppers will need to book a delivery slot for in time for Christmas.
With the festive season fast approaching, many have already started to order food and drinks for the big day.
This year, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the second national lockdown taking us right up to the beginning of December, some companies and retail bodies are predicting a huge surge in present buying as shops reopen, which is why they are advising public to think ahead and order their Christmas shopping in advance as a means of keeping everyone safe.
But what about the festive food shop? What is the final cut off date for ordering the Christmas feast ahead of the big day?
A number of major UK supermarket retailers have already released their last chance order dates, along with publishing advice for shoppers hoping to stock up for Christmas in a COVID-safe manner.
Here’s everything you need to know.
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Asda
In order to prepare in advance, Asda has already opened its Christmas Delivery Slots a little earlier than usual this year, so you’ll need to act quick if you want to get yours booked in as unsurprisingly, some time slots on 20th – 24th December are already fully booked.
Those who are unable to secure a home delivery slot for the date they want can still order online to Click & Collect in store for their chosen dates.
Delivery costs £3 for orders less than £40, and £3 for Click & Collect orders under £25.
For customers with a Asda Delivery Pass however, delivery is priced between £3 and £5.50 depending on the day and time of the slot.
You can find more information via the Asda website here.
Aldi
Aldi has confirmed its newly-launched home delivery service will include Christmas slots, however those hoping to stock up on festive essentials won’t be able to place a food order until nearer the big day itself.
Shoppers can place food orders from 19th December.
The last date for a standard Christmas delivery is 16th December, but Aldi does also offer a Next Day Delivery option available right up until 21st December.
You can find more information via the Aldi website here.
Sainsbury’s
While the Sainsbury’s delivery service is closed between 24th – 26th December, the supermarket retailer has already released the cut-off dates for Christmas slots:
Book your slot from 29th November (for delivery on 20th December)
Book your slot from 30th November (for delivery on 21st December)
Book your slot from 1st December (for delivery on 22nd December)
Book your slot from 2nd December (for delivery on 23rd December)
There’s a minimum order value of £25.
Sainsbury’s charges £7 for delivery orders under £40, and between 50p and £7 for orders worth more, depending on the time slot you choose, and delivery is free for orders over £100 booked between Monday – Thursday after 2pm.
You can find more information via the Sainsbury’s website here.
Kerkez / Getty
Tesco
In order to prepare for the festive season, Tesco has increased the number of its delivery slots from 600,000 to 1.5 million a week – which is more than double what was available at the start of lockdown – and those who are signed up to the chain’s Delivery Saver Scheme are now already able to book their Christmas delivery slot.
For regular customers, festive slots will be available at 7am on 20th November.
If home delivery isn’t an option for you, then Tesco also offers a Click & Collect service for those who want to avoid the store crowds.
You can find more information via the Tesco website here.
Morrisons
Morrisons has released information on its website for shoppers ahead of the Christmas period.
Christmas orders at Morrisons must be placed before 5pm on 15th December for delivery on 22nd, 23rd and 24th December, and those who opt for Click & Collect can pick up their items in store between 22nd – 24th December, but orders need to be placed by 10pm on 15th December.
You can find more information via the Morrisons website here.
Iceland
Iceland has also opened Christmas Delivery Slots for any date up to 24th December.
The leading frozen foods supermarket chain is offering customers free delivery for all orders over £35, and it also offers an in-store Same Day delivery service – which is free when you spend £25 or more – available until Christmas eve.
You can find more information via the Iceland website here.
Trending
Everton are reportedly already hoping to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City permanently
Danny Jones
Everton FC are reportedly already considering signing Jack Grealish on a permanent deal after an impressive start to his spell on loan from Manchester City.
The former Aston Villa talisman has struggled to remain in the starting XI under Pep Guardiola since joining the club in 2021, but since arriving on Merseyside, he’s already been a difference-maker in every match for the Toffees thus far.
Grealish has not only registered four assists in just two starts for Everton but also won the very first player of the month award in the Premier League this season for his contributions.
Safe to say he’s fast made a big impact over in Liverpool – hence why it is now thought that manager David Moyes wants to make his transfer permanent.
Becoming just the 10th Toffee to ever win the accolade, the Birmingham-born creator is now thought to be the primary transfer target, despite the summer window having only recently closed.
He writes that despite the deal between Everton and Man City already including a £50 million option to buy next summer, that number is “not fixed and is more a consequence of accounting than a set price.”
The England international still has two years on his contract in the blue half of Manchester, but the previous valuation (which is half the amount City paid for him in a then record fee for a British player), so it is believed that he could be signed for an even better cut-price offer as his deal runs down.
Put it this way, it looks like the supporters would do just about anything to keep him at the Hill Dickinson.
Jack Grealish giving his shirt to an Everton fan after their brilliant win away at Wolves today.
Bascombe goes on to explain, however, that his salary considerations could be a significant obstacle. Grealish is estimated to be earning approximately £12m a year, which is almost certainly too rich for Everton’s blood.
Taking that into account, it’d be a case of whether or not the Brummy forward would be willing to accept a much lower wage to depart the Etihad Stadium for Everton long-term; alternatively, waiting for him to become a free agent in a few transfer windows’ time would also be an option.
What about you, Blues: would you like to see Jack Grealish stay and fight for his place under Guardiola, or would you understand/support him making his Everton permanent?
Interestingly, there could be yet more shuffling of the pack in the middle of the park for Pep, as a forgotten man is apparently going to be given another chance to revive his City career…
Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to be reintegrated into the Manchester City squad
Danny Jones
Long-exiled Manchester City player Kalvin Phillips is reportedly on the verge of being reintegrated into Pep Guardiola’s squad this season.
The ex-Leeds United star, who signed for the Blues back in 2022, has still only made just 16 appearances for the club, but could now be eyeing up a potential renaissance.
Man City have made plenty of signings this year, but with a number of outgoings and several injuries in key positions, it looks like there could be an avenue for the one-time England international to fight his way back into the team.
As per Telegraph Sport‘s Mike McGrath, Kalvin Phillips is set to be reintroduced to City’s 25-man Premier League selection; the question is, can he make it into a first-team XI?
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Kalvin Phillips has chance to resurrect career at the Etihad Stadium after failed loan spells with Ipswich and West Ham
According to McGrath, Phillips will be “given a chance to resurrect his career at the Etihad Stadium” with the meat and potatoes of the 2025/26 campaign still yet to get properly underway.
Now 29, the Yorkshireman is well and truly within the crucial ‘prime’ years as an athlete, and after such an extended period on the sidelines, he’ll be more motivated than anyone to get his career back on track.
The central defensive midfielder – who was formerly considered a key cog in the middle of the park for Leeds – has spent two loan spells away from the Etihad, but neither really worked out for the undeniably talented footballer.
Having joined West Ham for the latter portion of the 23/24 term and spending the last 12 months on loan at struggling Ipswich Town, his time at both clubs was pretty forgettable, punctuated by little more than a couple of unfortunate red cards and more time on the bench.
Speaking to Sky Sports fairly recently, he confessed that the last couple of years have been very difficult and was visibly emotional discussing his struggles since moving to Man City.
It’s also worth noting that Guardiola himself has admitted to feeling “so bad” for Kalvin Phillips’ situation – perhaps why he now looks like he could be given a second chance.
CDM-wise, Rodri and Nico González are considered the go-to options, but Stockport-born Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovačić have also been used in the role.
Once again, although Man City face somewhat of an injury crisis ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend, any prolonged absences could at least see an opportunity arise for the forgotten man.
What do you make of Kalvin Phillips’ chances of being restored to the Manchester City squad and maybe even putting himself back into national team contention ahead of the World Cup?
The Manc -
13th November 2020 
