Aussies stock up on booze and food ahead of Christmas celebrations

Last-minute shoppers have flooded malls, bottle shops and seafood markets to stock up in time for Christmas.

A steady stream of shoppers were seen filing out of Dan Murphy’s at Alexandria in Sydney’s inner city on Christmas Eve.

Cases of beer and boxes of wine and champagne were the most popular choices as Aussies look forward to some down-time with friends and family.

Earlier on Saturday, queues formed before sun up as those planning a seafood feast for Christmas headed to the markets to score the best and freshest produce.

Last-minute shoppers have flooded malls, bottle shops and seafood markets to stock up in time for the Christmas holidays

Shoppers visited Dan Murphy's in Alexandria, in Sydney's inner city on Christmas Eve

Shoppers visited Dan Murphy’s in Alexandria, in Sydney’s inner city on Christmas Eve 

Earlier in the day on Christmas Eve, queues formed before sun up as those planning a seafood feast for Christmas headed to the markets to score the best and freshest produce

Earlier in the day on Christmas Eve, queues formed before sun up as those planning a seafood feast for Christmas headed to the markets to score the best and freshest produce

Hundreds of Aussies headed to their local seafood markets, some carrying eskies, to stock up before Christmas Day feasts begin

Hundreds of Aussies headed to their local seafood markets, some carrying eskies, to stock up before Christmas Day feasts begin

Cases of beer and boxes of wine and champagne were the most popular choices ahead of Christmas

Cases of beer and boxes of wine and champagne were the most popular choices ahead of Christmas

A group of mates are seen loading up their car with Corona beer

A group of mates are seen loading up their car with Corona beer 

CBD shopping precincts were also busy with huge crowds seen at shops in Sydney’s Pitt St Mall, Melbourne’s Bourke St and Brisbane’s Queen St.

Long lines dominated supermarkets as people rushed to grab the last few pieces for Christmas lunch and dinners.

In typically Aussie fashion, booze was in high demand as thousands rushed to the bottle-o to snag a few drinks for Christmas day. 

Australians are estimated to spend nearly $64billion in the pre-Christmas period up to Christmas Eve, a three per cent increase on 2021. 

Brisbane's seafood markets were packed to the rafters with busy last-minute holiday shoppers

Brisbane’s seafood markets were packed to the rafters with busy last-minute holiday shoppers

Thousands of Aussies waited in long queues to get their hands on the last of their Christmas shopping lists

Thousands of Aussies waited in long queues to get their hands on the last of their Christmas shopping lists

People flocked to supermarkets and bottle-o's on Christmas Eve to stock up for Christmas

People flocked to supermarkets and bottle-o’s on Christmas Eve to stock up for Christmas

Seafood was on many Aussie Christmas lists this year

People waited in long queues to get their hands on seafood, which has skyrocketed in price since Covid

People waited in long queues to get their hands on seafood, which has skyrocketed in price since Covid

Traffic controllers were spotted at major city shops around the country as thousands rushed to find a park in the pre-holiday mayhem

Traffic controllers helped customers make their way through the holiday chaos

Traffic controllers were spotted at major city shops around the country as thousands rushed to find a park in the pre-holiday mayhem

One man is seen juggling alcohol while walking his dog home from Dan Murphy's in Sydney

One man is seen juggling alcohol while walking his dog home from Dan Murphy’s in Sydney

One shopper is seen heading home after snapping up some drinks for Christmas in Sydney

One shopper is seen heading home after snapping up some drinks for Christmas in Sydney

Corona beer was a popular choice for Christmas Eve shoppers

Corona beer was a popular choice for Christmas Eve shoppers

Some Sydney shoppers opted to wear face masks as they headed out for the day

Some Sydney shoppers opted to wear face masks as they headed out for the day

Some shoppers chose to wear festive gear out to the shops with red and green hats, shirts and headbands bringing cheer to the festive chaos

Some shoppers chose to wear festive gear out to the shops with red and green hats, shirts and headbands bringing cheer to the festive chaos

The first Christmas in two years without Covid restrictions is expected to see extended families gather in masses, which could be one explanation for the spike in spending. 

That figure is despite a difficult year for household budgets, ravaged by interest rate rises and an inflation rate running higher than Australians have experienced in many years. 

Among the top Christmas treats Aussies were willing to splurge on was seafood.

Lobsters are one of many seafood delicacies that have shot up since the Covid pandemic with their $20 price tag now swapped for nearly $120.

Nevertheless, hundreds made their way down to their local seafood market to buy what they could get their hands on.

Massive queues of festive shoppers overtook supermarkets and shops in cities all around Australia

Massive queues of festive shoppers overtook supermarkets and shops in cities all around Australia

Shoppers made sure to stock up on the Christmas spirits before heading home

Shoppers made sure to stock up on the Christmas spirits before heading home for the holidays

Supermarkets broke up the holiday madness with festive decorations as customers waited in long queues to finish their holiday shopping

Supermarkets broke up the holiday madness with festive decorations as customers waited in long queues to finish their holiday shopping

Many Aussies stopped to top-up their alcohol supply while grabbing last-minute Christmas goodies

Many Aussies stopped to top-up their alcohol supply while grabbing last-minute Christmas goodies

Traffic controllers were spotted at major shopping malls around the country as thousands rushed to find a park in the pre-holiday mayhem. 

Another opt-in safety feature spotted at busy shops were face masks.

Several shoppers were seen wearing face coverings in an attempt to avoid getting sick at the last minute.

Some shoppers chose to wear festive gear out to the shops with red and green hats, shirts and headbands bringing cheer to the festive chaos.

Seafood was on many Aussie Christmas lists this year with most waiting through long Christmas Eve queues

Seafood was on many Aussie Christmas lists this year with most waiting through long Christmas Eve queues

Some shoppers stocked up on groceries and alcohol while others did a last-minute dash for Christmas presents

Some shoppers stocked up on groceries and alcohol while others did a last-minute dash for Christmas presents

Several shoppers were spotted wearing face masks to prevent getting sick right before the holidays

Several shoppers were spotted wearing face masks to prevent getting sick right before the holidays

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