WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - We're just a few days out from Thanksgiving, and people all around the country are making their final shopping trips. According to most data, the week leading up to Thanksgiving is the busiest week for grocery shopping. So, what's the best time to get your feast necessities and beat the crowds? "I do shopping actually on the weekend before so I don't have to go out at all because the Riverdale shops is usually crazy during the week," said Sarah Torres of West Springfield. Real Simple says the best time to go grocery shopping for Thanksgiving may be the Monday before the holiday at 8 am, when stores are typically the least busy. Tuesday and Wednesday are going to be popular shopping days, and many stores may be closed on Thanksgiving, so don't plan on going to the store morning of without confirming it will be open first. Now some people worry shopping Monday may be too far in advance, but avoiding crowds may make for an easier trip. When preparing for the grocery store this week, plan ahead. Make a list and pick a quieter time to go shopping to ensure an efficient trip. It can't hurt to stock up on extra ingredients. This way, you can avoid having to make multiple trips to the store if you realize you left something behind. Curbside pickup is also an option. Many stores offer this service for free. You can add when you need to your online cart, checkout, and pick up your order at your chosen time. "I usually do online pick up so that saves everybody a ton of time," Torres added. "It's so smooth, the people here are great, and it helps me avoid crowds, which is my main goal."