Getting ready for the big Christmas shop? You might want to double-check that list, as a staggering eight in ten Brits admit to forgetting something absolutely crucial.
According to a new study by Just Eat, loo roll reigns supreme as the most forgotten item (19 percent). Following closely behind are batteries (18 percent), washing-up liquid (17 percent), and Sellotape (16 percent)—a quartet of essentials that leave hosts scrambling at the worst possible moment.
And the forgotten items don’t stop there. Tin foil, cranberry sauce, soft drinks, mincemeat, wine, gin, candles, and Christmas crackers all join the long list of things that frequently slip minds during the festive dash. On average, households leave behind a dozen must-haves during their annual shopping spree.
Stress and the Big Shop: A Recipe for Tension
The festive season is stressful enough without having to worry about missing essentials. Just Eat’s research reveals that 79 percent of us find Christmas organising a pressure cooker of stress, with a third admitting they feel so overwhelmed they’d rather cancel the celebrations entirely.
It’s no surprise then that forgotten items can cause tensions to boil over. Twenty-eight percent of people say they’ve argued with their partner after discovering something was left off the shopping list.
The panic often strikes at the worst moment, too—over half of us (56 percent) only notice we’ve run out of something when it’s needed most.
For many, there’s little choice but to rely on quick fixes, like Just Eat, which can deliver missing groceries in as little as 30 minutes.
| Rank | Item | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toilet paper | 19% |
| 2 | Batteries | 18% |
| 3 | Washing up liquid | 17% |
| 4 | Sellotape | 16% |
| 5 | Milk | 16% |
| 6 | Candles | 14% |
| 7 | Gift labels | 13% |
| 8 | Gift bags | 12% |
| 9 | Tin foil | 11% |
| 10 | Festive Chocolates | 11% |
| 11 | Bucks Fizz | 10% |
| 12 | Lightbulbs | 10% |
| 13 | Christmas cards | 10% |
| 14 | Bacon | 9% |
| 15 | Cranberry sauce | 9% |
| 16 | Ice cream | 8% |
| 17 | Goose fat | 7% |
| 18 | Soft drinks | 7% |
| 19 | Stamps | 7% |
| 20 | Mincemeat | 7% |
| 21 | Festive napkins | 7% |
| 22 | Pigs in blankets | 7% |
| 23 | Bottled water | 6% |
| 24 | Gravy granules | 6% |
| 25 | Double cream | 6% |
| 26 | Tinsel | 6% |
| 27 | Crackers | 6% |
| 28 | Jelly | 5% |
| 29 | Cooking oil | 5% |
| 30 | Christmas cake | 5% |
Amy Heather, Director of Partnerships at Just Eat, understands the holiday madness:
“The pressure of hosting Christmas can be all-encompassing when there is so much to do, get, cook, or remember. If you’ve forgotten something when shopping, or simply run out of that essential item, there’s no need to venture out in the cold or navigate busy supermarket aisles. Just Eat is on hand to deliver whatever groceries you need in these moments, so you can spend more time doing what you love this festive season.”
It’s no wonder the pressure falls squarely on the shoulders of hosts. Over half (52 percent) admit they do all the Christmas shopping solo, while a desperate 13 percent have resorted to shopping at midnight just to avoid the chaotic crowds.
Unannounced Guests Add to the Stress
As if the forgotten items weren’t enough, uninvited guests have hosts breaking into a cold sweat. More than 68 percent of people admit they hate it when friends or family turn up unannounced—especially when the pantry is bare.
Thankfully, last-minute salvation is only a few taps away. With services like Just Eat, customers can order forgotten festive staples and essentials from supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, ASDA, and Co-Op.
So, if you find yourself short on batteries, tape, or cranberry sauce during this year’s big Christmas shop, there’s no need to face the supermarket frenzy.
Let someone else do the heavy lifting while you keep the festive cheer alive.