Christmas dinner is full of family, storytelling, drinking, and most importantly, eating! But for the cook, it's a lot of work and can be cost a pretty penny. Whether your big meal is on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, we have some suggestions on how to ease the workload and the grocery bill. Spoiler Alert: Check out the Costco Christmas food.
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Costco's prepared foods are tasty and real time savers. Costco's uncooked meats and produce are more economical than if you'd shopped at your local supermarket. Of course, if you're just cooking for one or two, Costco may not be the holy grail for you unless you've also got a big freezer.
Pandemic supply chain issues are still up in the air so buy non-perishables early if you can. All major retailers are being affected including trusty Walmart, Aldi supermarkets, and even Amazon. From 2ft high containers of cheese balls to dainty tins of caviar, being a costco member is still your best best.
1. Spiral ham
Does your family have a tradition of spiral ham for Christmas dinner? It's a pretty impressive presentation.
Kirkland Signature spiral ham one of the most popular Costco Christmas foods. Toss one in your cart, add a ton of of already prepared sides and have a seat in the Costco sofa department for a few minutes to congratulate yourself on your good decision.
2. Shrimp cocktail
A pink ring of fresh shrimp cocktail is another wildly popular Costco Christmas food. It's the easiest appetizer around. Break it up into a fancer presentation per person or just plop that sucker out and watch the shrimp disappear. It's a perfect last minute potluck addition too.
3. Mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes are easy to make but time consuming. Costco has premade vats of perfect mashed potatoes. Reheat in the microwave, add in some corn or peas and serve your "homemade" taters.
4. Peppermint bark
Costco
Kirkland Signature Peppermint Bark is a rite of passage into the Christmas season. That box gets ripped open and it seems to instantly snow while everyone is wearing turtlenecks. Peppermint bark is an easy neighbor gift and easy to hide under your bed for when everyone is asleep.
5. Hot Cocoa Mix
Stock up on the Kirkland hot cocoa mix. For the cost one grande Starbuck's hot chocolate, You can get a giant box of fifty packets. Spike it for the grown-ups and throw marshmallows at the kids.
6. Spinach, Artichoke, and Parmesan Dip
Costco
Depending on what part of the country you're in, Costco will always have an offering of this classic dip in a large trough...I mean container. Get fancy and serve it in hollowed out bread bowl or in your prettiest serving dish. Or eat it out of the container by the light of the refrigerator. We won't tell.
7. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Apples for apple pie? Green beans for the casserole? Onions and potatoes for the beef stew?
If you need a large number of anything for Christmas cooking, its totally worth the price of the Costco membership. Larger amounts of produce is definetly a better value at Costco than grocery stores.
8. Kirkland Half Sheet Cakes
Every big even involves a sheet cake. It's an American tradition. Costco bakeries are known for their quality and value for when you have a lot of mouths awaiting baked goods. Without fail, people alwasy ask, "Where did you get this cake?! It's so good!" The answer is almost always Costco.
9. European Cookies With Belgian Chocolate
The famous tin of Costco's European Cookies with Belgian Chocolate is ready to give as a hostess gift or put out when people show up (happily) uninvited. Club members load up their carts with these tins to give as easy gifts that won't break the piggy bank. Bring one to every holiday party. Whether you want to go or not, at least you'll have cookies.
10. Coffee
Coffee flows during the holidays and well into the new year. Kirkland Signature coffee is strong and always a good buy. Medium Roast House Blend, Colombian Supremo, Pacific Bold dark roast, and more blends when available. They have giant boxes of coffee pods too for when friends stop by.
11. Maple Syrup
Cold winter mornings demand pancakes with warm maple syrup. Yum. Real maple syrup is surprising costly especially when little hands are pouring it all willy nilly and generously on their stacks. Kirkland Signature's organic maple syrup is good value and comes in a cute jug style bottle.
12. Holiday Gift Sets
You can't beat the variety of holiday gift sets at the superstore. Food gifts are always a good choice. It always fits and everyone has to eat! Whether you go for heart healthy dried fruit and nuts platter or grab a Godiva gift basket with chocolate covered pretzels and truffles, these are a time saver.
Often these big gift sets are made up of a bunch of smaller individually wrapped gifts. Spread the love- and divide the cost- by gifting to your favorite crossing card or Amazon driver.
13. Beef Tenderloin
Costco helps make that few times a year filet mignon treat more affordable with Kirkland Signature beef tenderloin. The beef is cut in the store and packaged in those convenient and gigantic Costco packages.
14. Olive Oil
Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil has always been a great value in EVOO. Restaurant owners can tell you that. Use for all your Christmas cooking or make a flavored dipping oil appetizer with Italian bread slices.
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