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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Manchester Basketball set to make history at first-ever Super League Cup finals in the city
Danny Jones
In case you missed the latest landmark for Manchester Basketball, both of our men’s and women’s teams have officially reached the 2026 Super League Cup Finals.
Aside from being a huge achievement for the fresh sporting franchise in itself, things are now all set up for a perfect weekend for local fans, with the conclusion of the Super League Cup taking place in our city for the very first time.
All that being said, it’s quite a watershed moment for this new and improved outfit – and pretty soon, too, so here’s hoping they can follow it up with a dream ending against the kings and queens of the capital.
Secure your Cup Finals tickets now 🏆 You don’t want to miss it 🎟️
— Super League Basketball (@SprLeagueBballM) March 8, 2026
It’s rare you get both the male and female members from the same side making it to the final of a major competition in the same year, not to mention having it hosted on their own turf.
Zak Irvin, Captain of the Men’s side, said in a statement: “Since I arrived here, the goal has been to bring championships home to the city.
“Our team has a great opportunity to do that in front of a Manchester crowd on the 22nd. It’s going to be an electric final, and having the backing of the Manchester crowd can be a real difference maker.”
With multiple Manc natives like Kaiyem Cleary, Demi Babalola and Irene Oboavwoduo in the squad – all of whom have come through the club’s junior pathways – they’ve got hometown pride on the line, too.
And better yet, they’ve already proved that they can make sure the weight of the occasion doesn’t get the better of them, having just won a major European knockout match as part of the MOBOs Fringe Festival earlier this week.
Facing off against KK Dubrava from Zagreb, they managed to pull off a narrow victory, beating the Croatians 94-92 to make it through to the quarter-finals of this year’s European North Basketball League (ENBL) knockout phase.
17-year-old Irene added, “It means a lot to me to play in a Cup final in my home city. Having my family and friends there, as well as all the support for Manchester, will be incredible.
“To play in a domestic final around the corner from where I’ve grown up is really unique. We’re all excited for the game; it will be a great occasion.”
With the stage set for what we have every faith will be an unforgettable conclusion at the AO Arena, it’s on us to make sure they’ve got the stands on their side.
Taking place on Sunday, 22 March, with seat prices starting from just £26 for adults (or £65 if you want to sit courtside), let’s help Manchester Basketball get over the line against London Lions.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via MCR Basketball/AO Arena)
Trending
Country 2 Country music festival is coming to Manchester next year
Danny Jones
Hold on to your cowboy hats, country fans: the smash-hit Country 2 Country music festival is coming to Manchester.
The massive live music festival specialising in all things country, folk, bluegrass, Americana and more has slowly been expanding its presence across the UK and Ireland over the last decade or so.
Starting in London at the O2 Arena, before hitting the Emerald Isle in 2015 and debuting in Scotland just three years later, it has seen some of the biggest acts from the world of country music cross the Atlantic to show off the Stateside genre, plus plenty from around the globe already immersed in the culture.
We’ll confess, even prior to the official announcement, we had a feeling this was coming when we spotted these posters dotted about in town:
Like so many of those buzzing in the comments, we cannot wait for this to come around.
With this year’s respective events taking place simultaenously place over the coming weekend, Friday, 13 to Sunday, 15 March, it’s fair to say they’ve timed the news perfectly.
Everyone from established names such as Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, to up-and-coming bands as well as fast-rising artists working in and around the genre, like Nate Smith, Lainey Wilson and, of course, the now well and truly massive Luke Combs.
For instance, the likes of Keith Urban, Noah Rinker, Alana Springsteen – no relation – Zach Top and many, MANY more, are playing across London, the OVO Hydro in Glasgow and Belfast’s SSE Arena for the 12th edition of the now annual celebration.
Set to arrive in our city centre for the very first time, Country 2 Country (C2C) will be making its Manc debut at none other than the legendary AO Arena, where so many of the biggest names and current generation of stars alike have played.
You only have to look at recent examples like Darius Rucker last year and the ever-growing Tyler Childers, helping kick off this season of country gigs here in Manchester.
Meanwhile, as you can see for Country 2 Country music fest’s Manchester debut, it’s coming in March 2027, and they’ll be teaming up with other local gig venues and bars to turn 0161 into a little slice of Broadway – we just hope we get a bit of Austin weather to boot.
It’s fair to say that this particular part of the music industry is definitely enjoying a big boom right now, with lots of different acts dipping their toes into the bayou, if you will.
However, C2C have been flying the flag for country music over here for ages now, and with it being hailed as remaining “one of the UK’s most spectacular annual festivals” by the likes of The Express and countless, among countless other reviews, we think it’s time you give it a go.
Better still, let’s show everyone that we can do it even better up North, and here in what everyone knows is Britain’s real musical home: Greater Manchester.
Tickets will be available from 10am next Friday, 20 March, and you can sign up to get early bird pre-sale access right HERE.
Credit: Niko Moon/Luke Dyson Photography (supplied)
The Manc -
13th November 2020 
