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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
16 min read
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
October 28, 2026
Last reviewed: 28 October 2026
Applies to: UK, subject to supermarket and postcode availability
Written by: Georgina, Founder of Purpl | Disabled & Neurodivergent Advocate
Christmas supermarket delivery slots for 2026 are already open at Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. Tesco opens bookings at 6am on 3 November for eligible Delivery Saver customers and 5 November for everyone else. Ocado is releasing slots in stages, while Iceland opens bookings closer to Christmas.
If you rely on supermarket deliveries, it’s worth getting organised now rather than waiting until December.
For disabled people, those with long-term health conditions and carers, grocery delivery can make Christmas shopping much easier. It can mean avoiding crowded supermarkets, carrying heavy shopping or using energy you need for other things.
We’ve brought together the latest Christmas delivery dates, when you can change your order and ways to save money on your festive food shop.
And there’s good news for Purpl members shopping at Morrisons. You can reserve your Christmas delivery slot now and add your 10% discount code nearer the time, provided you do so before your order amendment cut-off.
Check the Morrisons 10% discount available through Purpl
Christmas grocery delivery bookings opened in September and October 2026 for several major supermarkets. Tesco releases its Christmas slots in November, while Iceland and Co-op have shorter advance booking windows.
If you’re hoping to have everything delivered on 23 or 24 December, it’s worth checking your preferred supermarket now. Popular dates and times can fill quickly, particularly just before Christmas Day.
Here’s the latest position as of 27 October 2026.
| Supermarket | When you can book | Christmas delivery or collection dates |
|---|---|---|
| Morrisons | Open since 7 October | 18–31 December |
| Asda | Open since 20 October | 21–23 December |
| Sainsbury’s | Open since 23 October | 18–24 December |
| Waitrose | Open since 30 September | 20–24 December |
| Tesco | 3 November for eligible pass holders, 5 November for everyone | 20–24 December |
| Ocado | Priority bookings open, remaining slots released in stages | 20–24 December |
| Iceland | Around 28 days before delivery | Depends on availability |
| Co-op | Around five days before delivery | Depends on availability |
| M&S Food to Order | Open now | Mainly 22–24 December, collection only |
These dates are based on supermarket announcements and MoneySavingExpert’s 2026 Christmas supermarket delivery guide.
Remember: A supermarket may have opened Christmas bookings, but that doesn’t mean every slot is still available. Delivery dates depend on your postcode, and arrangements can differ in Northern Ireland.
We’ll keep this guide updated as supermarkets release more slots and confirm further details, so it’s worth bookmarking the page if you’re still planning your Christmas shopping.
Purpl Tip: If you depend on home delivery, consider booking for 22 or 23 December rather than leaving everything until Christmas Eve. It gives you a little more time to deal with substitutions or missing items.
Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose are accepting Christmas bookings now. Tesco opens in early November, Ocado is releasing availability in stages, and Iceland and Co-op operate shorter booking windows.
Each supermarket has different rules for minimum spends, delivery charges and order amendments.
One useful thing to remember is that you don’t necessarily need to have your entire Christmas menu planned before booking. Several supermarkets let you reserve a slot with a smaller initial basket and add more items later.
Here’s what you need to know about each retailer.
Morrisons Christmas delivery and Click & Collect bookings opened to all customers on 7 October 2026, with dates available from 18 to 31 December.
Morrisons has added 35,000 extra festive delivery slots compared with last year and extended its booking window to cover two full weeks across Christmas and New Year.
That could be useful if you’d rather spread your grocery shopping over a couple of deliveries instead of trying to fit everything into one large Christmas shop.
You can read more in Morrisons’ official Christmas delivery announcement.
Yes. Eligible Purpl members can save 10% on qualifying Morrisons online grocery orders over £25, with a maximum saving of £12 per order.
The offer applies to eligible home delivery and Click & Collect orders, not shopping in-store.
And if you’ve already reserved your Christmas delivery slot, don’t worry.
You can add your Purpl discount code later, as long as you do so before your order amendment cut-off.
Purpl’s Morrisons codes change regularly, so there’s no need to get one now and worry about whether it will still be valid in December.
Simply book your preferred delivery slot, then log in to Purpl nearer the time, reveal the latest code and apply it to your Morrisons order before the deadline.
Morrisons’ amendment cut-off varies by order, so check the date and time shown in your confirmation.
For example, if your eligible Christmas grocery shop comes to £120, the current Purpl offer could save you £12.
That’s equivalent to the cost of a full year’s annual Purpl membership.
You can find the latest terms and get your Morrisons 10% discount through Purpl.
Purpl Tip: Book your Morrisons delivery slot now and add a reminder to your calendar to apply your Purpl code before the amendment deadline. For the best tracking experience, apply the code through the Morrisons website.
Tesco Christmas delivery slots open at 6am on Tuesday 3 November for eligible Delivery Saver customers and at 6am on Thursday 5 November for everyone else.
Customers with an Anytime Delivery Saver plan get early access to home delivery slots, while those with a Click+Collect Delivery Saver plan can book collection slots early.
If you’re considering joining Anytime Delivery Saver specifically for priority Christmas booking, Tesco says you need to sign up by 11.59pm on 2 November to qualify.
Tesco has also confirmed that customers will enter a virtual waiting room when bookings open, so a delivery slot isn’t guaranteed.
Christmas delivery and collection dates generally run from 20 to 24 December, although Christmas Eve availability is limited to selected areas.
If you’re ordering from Tesco’s Festive Food to Order range, you’ll need to finalise those items by 11.45pm on 14 December. Ordinary groceries can generally be amended until 11.45pm the evening before delivery.
You can find the full dates and instructions on Tesco’s official Christmas shopping page.
Purpl Tip: Set an alarm for 5.50am on your booking date. Check that you can log in beforehand and that your delivery address and payment details are correct.
Sainsbury’s Christmas grocery delivery bookings opened to everyone on Friday 23 October 2026, following early access for Delivery Pass holders and eligible priority customers from 16 October.
Deliveries are available from 18 December through to Christmas Eve, depending on your postcode.
Sainsbury’s generally lets you amend ordinary groceries until 11pm the day before delivery, which is helpful if you’re still deciding what to cook or how many people you’re catering for.
You can confirm the booking arrangements in Sainsbury’s official Christmas delivery guidance.
If you regularly shop at Sainsbury’s, a Delivery Pass might be worth considering for future grocery orders. However, as Christmas bookings are already open to everyone, taking out a pass now won’t give you the advantage of booking before the general release this year.
Asda Christmas delivery and Click & Collect bookings opened to all customers on 20 October 2026, with the main festive delivery window running from 21 to 23 December.
Delivery Pass holders had early access from 13 October.
If you’re ordering from Asda’s special Christmas Food to Order range, you’ll need to finalise those items by 15 December.
Ordinary groceries can generally be amended until 11pm the day before your scheduled delivery or collection.
That gives you time to organise your essentials first and add other Christmas food nearer the date.
Some additional Christmas Eve availability may be released closer to Christmas, but it isn’t guaranteed.
You can check the available dates, delivery charges and minimum spend requirements through Asda Groceries.
Waitrose opened Christmas delivery and collection bookings on 30 September 2026, with slots available from 20 to 24 December.
Waitrose has a £40 minimum grocery order value, and delivery charges depend on whether you have a qualifying delivery pass.
If you’re ordering from its Christmas Food Made to Order range, you’ll need to finalise those products by 15 December.
Ordinary Christmas grocery orders can generally be amended until 10pm the evening before delivery or collection, although special food items may have earlier deadlines.
One useful detail is that Waitrose says its Christmas Food Made to Order products will have sufficient shelf life to last until at least Boxing Day, provided they’re stored correctly.
That could make an earlier delivery more practical if you’d rather have everything organised before Christmas Eve.
You can find the latest dates and planning advice in Waitrose’s Christmas dinner guide.
Ocado Christmas delivery slots are currently available to qualifying Smart Pass customers, with remaining slots being released in stages. Christmas deliveries run from 20 to 24 December.
Priority booking is available to eligible Smart Pass customers who joined before 1 September 2026.
If you have a qualifying pass, check your Ocado account and emails for details of when you can book.
Ocado’s Christmas orders have a £90 minimum spend, and its official guidance confirms that orders must be finalised by 11.30pm two days before delivery.
Ocado could also be useful if you like Marks & Spencer groceries but need home delivery rather than collection, as it stocks a wide range of M&S food.
You can find the Christmas amendment rules in Ocado’s official help centre.
Purpl members can also access an Ocado introductory offer, currently advertising 35% off a qualifying £90 shop, plus three months of free delivery.
It’s a separate new-customer offer with its own conditions, so check whether it applies to your order before relying on the saving.
See the Ocado discount on Purpl
Iceland’s Christmas delivery bookings are expected to open around 28 days before your chosen delivery date, according to MoneySavingExpert’s October 2026 guide.
For example, if you’d like your groceries delivered on 23 December, the reported booking window would allow you to start checking from 26 November.
Booking windows have varied in other published guides, so it’s worth confirming availability directly with Iceland rather than relying on a particular release date.
Iceland could be useful for buying frozen vegetables, desserts and other Christmas essentials in advance.
If you’ve got space in your freezer, you might not need to wait until the final few days before Christmas to get everything organised.
You can check availability through Iceland’s online grocery service.
Purpl also has Iceland discounts for qualifying new customers, including an advertised £5 saving on a £45 shop. Check the current offer before ordering.
Co-op doesn’t currently offer a separate advance Christmas booking period. Its grocery delivery slots generally become available around five days before your chosen date.
This could be useful if you need a smaller grocery order or a last-minute top-up, particularly if you have a participating Co-op nearby.
However, I wouldn’t rely on it as your only Christmas shopping plan if getting to a supermarket is difficult.
Co-op orders generally cannot be amended after payment, so check your basket carefully before completing checkout.
You can find out whether your postcode is covered by Co-op home delivery.
Marks & Spencer Christmas Food to Order bookings are open for collection from participating stores, but the service doesn’t include home delivery.
Collections are generally available from 22 to 24 December in England, Scotland and Wales, with 21 December also available at selected stores. In Northern Ireland, collection dates are 23 and 24 December.
You’ll need to place an order worth at least £50 and pay a £50 deposit when booking, with any remaining balance payable when you collect.
If someone can collect the order for you, this might be a convenient way to organise Christmas food in advance.
However, if you need groceries delivered to your home, Ocado may be a better option for selected M&S food.
You can check available collection dates through the M&S Christmas Food to Order website.
Purpl Insight: The best supermarket isn’t necessarily the one with the cheapest delivery fee. If home delivery helps you avoid pain, fatigue or arranging transport, that’s worth considering when deciding where to shop.
Booking a Christmas grocery delivery slot early gives disabled people and carers more choice over delivery times, helping them plan around mobility, fatigue, health needs and available support.
Christmas food shopping can take a surprising amount of energy, even before you start cooking.
I live with Multiple Sclerosis and ADHD, so I know how quickly a seemingly straightforward task can become exhausting. There’s the planning, remembering what you need, making decisions and then dealing with the physical side of shopping.
Add the Christmas crowds, queues and pressure to get everything organised, and it can become a lot.
For some people, going into a supermarket isn’t realistic at all.
You might struggle with walking or standing, experience pain or fatigue, find busy environments overwhelming or need help carrying and putting away groceries.
And if you rely on a carer or family member for support, the delivery time needs to work for them too.
Being able to choose a suitable slot in advance gives you a little more control.
It also means you can spread the planning over several weeks rather than trying to do everything in the final few days before Christmas.
For some disabled people, grocery delivery is an essential way to access food independently, particularly when mobility difficulties, fatigue or other health conditions make shopping in-store difficult.
Being able to order from home can reduce the physical effort involved in shopping, but it doesn’t remove every challenge.
You might still need help bringing bags inside, unpacking groceries or putting everything away.
That’s why choosing a suitable delivery time can be just as important as securing the slot itself.
And you don’t necessarily need to choose Christmas Eve.
An earlier delivery might give you time to check what has arrived, find alternatives if something is missing and spread the effort of putting everything away.
Purpl Insight: Grocery delivery isn’t always a convenience. For some disabled people, it’s what makes independent food shopping possible.
You can save money on Christmas groceries by comparing delivery charges, checking the total basket cost, using eligible discounts and avoiding paying for delivery passes you don’t need.
It’s easy to focus on getting a delivery slot and forget about the overall cost.
But a few small decisions could make a difference, especially when you’re buying extra food for Christmas.
A supermarket delivery pass may save money if you regularly order groceries online, but it might not be worth buying solely for one Christmas delivery.
Some passes offer reduced delivery charges and early access to popular slots, but they can involve a commitment of several months.
If you already have groceries delivered every week, that could work out well.
If you’re only planning one Christmas order, compare the full subscription cost with the delivery charge for a single shop.
Several supermarkets have already opened their Christmas slots to everyone, so buying a pass now won’t necessarily give you better availability.
The easiest way to avoid overspending is to compare your final shopping total, including delivery fees, and buy what you actually need rather than adding unnecessary items to qualify for offers.
A supermarket might have a cheaper Christmas turkey but charge more for delivery.
Another might offer a convenient slot but require a higher minimum spend.
It’s worth comparing the total cost, particularly if you’re choosing between home delivery and Click & Collect.
If meeting a minimum spend means adding products you won’t use, you might not be saving anything.
Purpl members can access discounts from selected supermarkets and grocery delivery services, including Morrisons, Ocado and Iceland.
Some offers worth checking include:
These offers have different eligibility requirements, exclusions and validity periods. Check the current offer details before completing your order.
You can also browse all food and drink discounts on Purpl to see what else is available.
Yes. An eligible £120 Morrisons grocery order could save £12 through Purpl’s 10% discount, equivalent to the cost of annual Purpl membership.
Purpl costs £12 a year when paid annually, equivalent to £1 per month, or £2 per month on a rolling monthly plan.
And Morrisons is just one of the brands offering savings through Purpl.
If you’re disabled, living with a long-term health condition, or an eligible parent or carer, you may qualify to join.
You don’t necessarily need to receive PIP or hold a Blue Badge. Purpl accepts a range of verification documents, including qualifying NHS diagnosis letters.
You can read the accepted documents and eligibility requirements before joining.
And because you can browse offers before registering, you can see whether the available discounts would be useful for things you already buy.
Find out more about joining Purpl
Purpl Tip: Don’t leave your Morrisons Christmas booking until you have a discount code. Reserve your preferred slot now, then add the latest Purpl code before your order amendment deadline.
The easiest way to make Christmas grocery shopping more manageable is to book a suitable delivery slot early, plan your essential items and check when you can make changes.
You don’t need to organise everything in one sitting.
In fact, spreading the planning over several weeks can be much easier, especially if you live with fluctuating symptoms, fatigue or ADHD.
Yes. Several supermarkets let you reserve a Christmas grocery delivery slot with a small initial basket and add more items before the order amendment deadline.
For example, Tesco says you can secure a slot by checking out with one item within 10 minutes of choosing it.
Other supermarkets have their own minimum basket values and booking requirements.
Just make sure you’ve completed checkout and received confirmation. Putting items in your basket doesn’t always secure a delivery slot.
And if you’re booking Morrisons, you can add your current Purpl discount code later, before your order amendment deadline.
Separating everyday essentials from Christmas extras can make grocery planning easier, especially if you experience ADHD, brain fog or fatigue.
I find it helpful to have one list for food and household products I definitely need, and another for the extra Christmas items.
That way, if you need to reduce your spending or something is out of stock, it’s easier to see what’s essential.
It’s particularly useful if you need specific dietary products that might not be easy to replace.
You could also keep a list on your phone and add things as you remember them rather than trying to plan everything at once.
The deadline for changing a Christmas grocery order depends on the supermarket, and special Christmas Food to Order products often have earlier cut-offs than ordinary groceries.
For example:
When you reserve your slot, put the amendment deadline in your calendar.
And if you’re shopping at Morrisons through Purpl, add a separate reminder to apply your discount code before the cut-off.
If you need help carrying or unpacking groceries, choose a delivery time when support is available and check what assistance your supermarket can provide.
If you struggle with lifting, carrying or standing for long periods, it may be worth arranging your delivery when someone can help you bring your shopping inside and put it away.
You can add delivery instructions where the supermarket allows this, but if you need specific assistance from the driver, check with the retailer first.
Click & Collect may be another option if someone can collect your shopping, although you’ll still need to consider loading and unloading.
If your preferred Christmas delivery slot is unavailable, try another supermarket, check for cancellations or book an earlier delivery for non-perishable essentials.
Even with the best planning, popular dates can sell out.
If you have freezer space, buying frozen vegetables, desserts and other essentials earlier may help reduce what you need in the final few days before Christmas.
And if you’re relying on a particular supermarket because of a discount, it’s worth comparing the total cost with another retailer rather than missing out on delivery altogether.
Purpl Tip: Keep your delivery confirmation, order amendment deadline and shopping list together on your phone. It makes everything easier to find when you need it.
Tesco Christmas delivery slots open at 6am on Tuesday 3 November 2026 for eligible Anytime Delivery Saver customers and Click+Collect Delivery Saver customers booking collection. General bookings open at 6am on Thursday 5 November.
Yes. Morrisons opened Christmas delivery and Click & Collect slots to all customers on 7 October 2026. Bookings cover 18 to 31 December, subject to local availability.
Yes. You can reserve your Morrisons Christmas delivery or Click & Collect slot now and add your Purpl 10% discount code later, provided you do so before your order amendment deadline.
Purpl codes change regularly, so check the latest available code nearer your delivery date and apply it through the Morrisons website.
No. The Purpl 10% Morrisons discount is for eligible online grocery orders for home delivery or Click & Collect. It cannot be used at supermarket tills. Applying the code through the Morrisons website is recommended so your savings can track correctly.
Sainsbury’s opened Christmas delivery bookings to everyone on 23 October 2026. Delivery Pass holders and eligible priority customers could book from 16 October.
Asda’s Christmas delivery slots opened to Delivery Pass customers on 13 October 2026 and to everyone else on 20 October. The main festive delivery window covers 21 to 23 December.
Yes, some supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Ocado, offer Christmas Eve delivery slots in eligible areas. Availability depends on your postcode, and popular slots may already be booked.
Most supermarkets allow you to amend ordinary groceries after reserving a delivery slot, but the deadlines vary.
Special Christmas Food to Order products often have earlier cut-offs, so check the date shown in your supermarket account or order confirmation.
There is no general automatic entitlement to early Christmas supermarket delivery bookings solely because someone is disabled.
Some supermarkets provide support for customers with additional needs, while early booking is often linked to having a qualifying delivery pass. Contact your chosen supermarket if you require specific assistance.
A delivery pass may be worthwhile if you regularly order groceries online, because it can reduce delivery fees and sometimes provide early booking access.
For one Christmas shop, compare the total subscription commitment with the cost of a single delivery.
M&S Christmas Food to Order is a collection service rather than home delivery. If you want selected M&S groceries delivered to your home, you can check availability through Ocado.
Christmas supermarket delivery slots for 2026 are already open at Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose, while Tesco opens bookings on 3 and 5 November.
If you rely on home delivery because of a disability, long-term health condition or caring responsibilities, booking early could make the run-up to Christmas much less stressful.
You don’t need to have your whole Christmas menu planned. Reserve a suitable date, check when you can change your order and add things gradually.
And if you’re a Purpl member planning to shop at Morrisons, remember that you can book your delivery now and add your 10% discount code nearer the time, before your order amendment cut-off.
There’s no need to wait until December to secure a convenient slot.
For me, anything that saves energy, reduces unnecessary planning and helps keep household costs down is worth knowing about.
Christmas can already be exhausting enough without making the weekly food shop harder than it needs to be.
You can explore the latest grocery discounts available through Purpl, or check whether you’re eligible to join and start saving on everyday essentials.
I’m Georgina, Founder of Purpl, and I live with Multiple Sclerosis and ADHD.
I started Purpl because I understand how much extra planning, energy and money everyday life can require when you live with a disability.
Through Purpl, we’re helping disabled people, those with long-term health conditions, and parents and carers reduce their everyday costs with exclusive discounts, practical advice and community support.
Our aim is to help make everyday life more affordable while reducing the extra costs of disability.
Morrisons makes the weekly shop a little easier with its smarter new app: Discover the latest Morrisons More app features and how eligible Purpl members can save 10% on online grocery orders.
Exclusive Morrisons disability discount for Purpl members: Find out more about the Morrisons and Purpl partnership and how to use your discount.
Sue’s story: how one disabled woman with cancer is saving £700 a year: See how Sue uses Purpl to reduce her grocery bills and other household costs.
What is the disability price tag? Financial support and cost guide: Understand the extra everyday costs disabled households can face and the financial support available.
Browse food and drink discounts on Purpl: Explore current savings on groceries, meal deliveries and food essentials.