Every year I used to dread the thought of stepping foot in Asda in the days before Christmas due to the chaos, but I've come across the best kept secret to a stress-free festive food shop
Abigail Nicholson Content Editor
08:30, 21 Dec 2025Updated 08:53, 21 Dec 2025
Every festive season I used to shudder at the thought of the dreaded Christmas food shop. From trying to get your trolly through the swathes of people in every aisle, to being pushed into by impatient people wanting to see the best before dates on the item you are already looking at - the experience is my idea of hell.
I'm far too unorganised to remember to book ahead for a Christmas delivery slot, and also don't like leaving my best before dates down to chance, so heading to my local supermarket Asda is the only way to go. But while working at the night reporter for the Liverpool ECHO, I came across the best kept secret to a stress-free Christmas food shop.
The first year, I thought it may have been a fluke after heading to my closest 24-hour Asda at Sefton Park at around 1am following my shift and the shop was almost empty with staff stocking up all the festive goodies.
But sure enough when I came back the next year, the situation was exactly the same. Now, me and my fiancé have a yearly date just after midnight in the local supermarket, it's fantastic.
Last year there were only around 20 vehicles in the car park when we arrived. We grabbed a trolley and went straight over to the scan and go area, but the screens were switched off - I imagine because of the time.
The first thing on my list was picking up some cards for my family, who we were going to visit over the weekend to spend some time together and deliver Christmas presents.
If there's one place I hate more than a busy supermarket at Christmas, it's card shops in December, so I was hoping for a good selection. To my surprise the card shelves were full and I was able to get something for every family member I needed to, result!
We then had a little look down the Christmas decorations section, which also included some children's toys. It is worth adding that when you go to Asda in the early morning, they block off upstairs which has homeware, clothes and the majority of the toys.
However, all the aisles downstairs are available. We then went to the fruit and veg - which I was dreading after seeing how crazy people were going for the 15p items.
To my surprise all the shelves were fully stocked with dates going beyond Christmas Day, meaning I could pick up carrots, broccoli, sprouts and parsnips. Heading over to the meat aisles there were more staff than customers, as they stocked the shelves with Turkey crowns, beef and ham joints and legs of lamb - all with dates passing December 25.
When I tell you everything you could have wanted was there, I truly mean that. I joked with two staff members who were filling up the Christmas party food fridge that I felt awful taking boxes, due to how well stocked the shelves were.
They chuckled and joked "don't worry, we have plenty more". The next stop was the reduced shelf, where I wasn't expecting much considering the time.
But being there so early meant we had first pickings of the stock, which included fresh meat, and quick and easy wins for the slow days between Christmas and New Year. By the end of our shop, I think I'd only seen about two dozen people in the store that weren't staff.
After using the self service check out, the only ones that were open, we were back home by 1.45am after what was quite honestly a very pleasant experience. As long as you don't mind dodging metal cages of stock being put out by staff and some boxes on the floor.
I'd recommend heading to a 24-hour Asda at 1am. I know I'm going to keep doing this for years to come.