Christmas food shopping: what to buy now and what to leave until last
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Doing your Christmas food shopping in advance means spreading it out: what keeps, now; what can be frozen, as soon as you find it at a good price; and what’s fresh, in the last week. That way you avoid the rush, the queues and a good part of December’s price rises. Here’s what to buy and when, and how to freeze and thaw without spoiling a thing.
Why do your Christmas food shopping in advance
Because in December everything piles up: more people, less time and rising prices. In Spain, in its first check of December 2025, the consumer organisation OCU calculated that the Christmas basket cost 5.1% more than a year earlier, and among its tips were to plan your shopping in advance and buy fresh seafood to freeze it.
Getting ahead has another advantage: you choose calmly. You can compare, ask the producer questions and plan the menu without last-minute dashes.
What to buy now: the Christmas pantry
Anything that keeps for weeks can be at home from November:
- Turrón (Spanish nougat), polvorones (crumbly almond shortbread) and marzipan.
- Tinned fish and seafood for the aperitif.
- Iberian ham (if it’s a whole leg) and cured sausages. Here’s how to choose Iberian ham.
- Cured cheeses, extra virgin olive oil and nuts.
- Pulses, rice and stock for the days after.
What to buy and freeze
Seafood, fish and meat are the stars of the big meals and among the most sought-after products in December. If you buy them fresh a few weeks ahead and freeze them properly, they’ll be perfect on the day and you’ll get ahead of possible price rises:
- Seafood: king prawns, prawns, langoustines.
- Fish: sea bream, hake, sea bass.
- Meat: lamb, suckling pig, tenderloin, poultry.
How to freeze it properly
- Keep it cold on the way home (an insulated bag helps) and put it in the freezer as soon as you arrive.
- Freeze it in portions, in well-sealed bags or containers with as little air as possible.
- Label each pack with what it is and the date.
How to thaw without spoiling anything
It’s the step people forget most and the one that matters most. Following the advice of the Spanish consumer magazine Consumer:
- Thaw in the fridge, never at room temperature. Take it out of the freezer the day before.
- Put it in a clean container, away from other food, so it doesn’t drip onto anything.
- Once thawed, eat or cook it within 24 hours.
- Don’t refreeze thawed food unless you’ve cooked it first.
What to leave for the last week
Keep fresh things fresh: fruit and vegetables, bread, fresh cheeses and any seafood you want to serve unfrozen. Order a few days ahead and ask for delivery as close to the date as possible. For seasonal ideas, have a look at our guide to autumn fruits and vegetables.
A calendar for your Christmas food shopping
| When | What to buy |
|---|---|
| November | Pantry (turrón, tinned fish, cured sausages, ham, cured cheeses, olive oil) and gifts that have to travel far |
| First half of December | Seafood, fish and meat to freeze |
| Last days before Christmas Eve | Fruit, vegetables, bread, fresh cheeses and fresh seafood |
Giving food as a gift? Have a look at our Spanish food gifts.
Frequently asked questions about Christmas food shopping
How far in advance should I do my Christmas food shopping?
Pantry products, from November. Anything you’re going to freeze, in the first half of December. Fresh food, in the last few days.
Is it worth freezing seafood for Christmas?
Yes, if you buy it fresh, freeze it the same day and thaw it in the fridge. The Spanish consumer organisation OCU recommends buying fresh seafood in advance to freeze it and get ahead of price rises.
How do you thaw seafood?
In the fridge, from the day before, in a clean container away from other food. Then eat it within 24 hours and don’t refreeze it.
Do prices go up at Christmas?
For many products, yes. In Spain, in its first check of December 2025, OCU calculated that the Christmas basket was 5.1% more expensive than a year earlier.
Can I do my Christmas food shopping online?
Yes. On Mentta you can order your Christmas pantry straight from producers and specialist shops all over Spain and have it delivered to your door. Each product shows its delivery times, and at checkout you’ll see whether it can be shipped to your country.
Mentta. We’ll save you a seat at the table.
