Hundreds of residents are currently facing that dilemma outside Knights Meats and Deli on Fitzmaurice Street. Since 10:30 this morning, the queue has extended around the corner. 

Those who have pre-ordered online are being served first but even they have waited several hours.

For Robert Miller, it has become something of a yearly tradition.

Hosting his family of eight, he made his order online three weeks ago. Now he will spend the afternoon waiting to collect it.

“Usually I’d wait about 50 minutes and then I’d be home with my fish already,” said Mr Miller.

“This time it’s been a bit slower.”

To receive his parcel of lobster, prawns, oysters and crabs, Mr Miller has been standing in line since the Loves Fishing truck arrived at 10:30. 

By midday, he had only reached the halfway point.

“I’ll probably be waiting a long time yet,” he said.

“I like seafood a lot, so it’s worth it. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without it.”

Although positioned in front of Knights Meats and Deli, the food truck is a separate business.

Inside the store however, the butchers have also seen increased yuletide traffic.

Since December 17, they have sold more than 900 hams, and by midday on Christmas Eve their Christmas stock was all but sold out.

“We’ve been really happy with our sales this year,” said admin manager Skalise Newman.

“Sales are normally very good but this year seems to have been a bit bigger.”

Likewise, the South Wagga Butcher has noted its seasonal uptake.

Closing at midday on December 24, their stock had already been sold.

“A tonne of prawns went through us,” said manager Ray Farrell.

“It’s a slight increase since last year, but we see a year upon year increase.”

The traditional turkey ran slower this year, with only 30 whole and 50 bone rolled birds sold. By comparison, over a thousand hams were sold in just three weeks.

“Christmas lunch is getting a little broader now because there’s so many new options,” said Mr Farrell.

“With hams, people often come in a few weeks before Christmas and buy one. They eat it, they like it, and they come back for another one just before Christmas.”