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24 Grocery Items to Stockpile During Holiday Sales

November 14, 2016 by Missy Rakes 51 Comments

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Find out what grocery items you should be stockpiling during holiday sales on gracefullittlehoneybee.com

This post contains affiliate links. See our Disclosure Policy for more information.

 

Disclaimer: This post was written in 2016. Prices may have increased.

 

  Starting in November, grocery stores will put holiday grocery items on sale at the lowest price of the year. These are items that can be used all year and not just during the holiday season so it only makes sense to take advantage of the rock bottom prices to stock your pantry. These items normally go on sale twice per year, once in  November/December and then again in the Spring around March/April for Easter.

 

  This means that in order to save the most money you should be stockpiling these items during each sales cycle (if you have the space). In order to do this you will need to think ahead a little bit. Take a little time to figure out how much you need per month per item and multiply that by 6 which will equal your 6 month supply total. So if you go through one 5lb bag of flour per month, then you will need to purchase 6 bags of flour to last until the next sale in the Spring.

 

  In order to save even more money, you may consider clipping coupons that go along with sales or taking advantage of rebate apps such as IBOTTA where you can get cash back on grocery purchases.

 

  Below is a list of the items that you should be stocking up on. Things like butter, chocolate chips, turkey and even diced onions can be frozen and kept for months. I’ve added stock up price points to look for, but these will vary depending on where you live, what stores you have access too, whether or not you are using coupons, etc.

 

Flour ($1.25 per 5lb bag or .25 per lb)
Sugar ($1.50 per 4lb bag or less)
Baking Powder (.99 or less)
Chocolate Chips ($1.5o or less per 12 oz.)
Evaporated Milk (.60 or less)
Condensed Milk ($1.00 or less)
Baking Mixes ($1.00 or less)
Marshmallows ($1.00 or less)
Powdered Sugar (.99 or less)
Brown Sugar (.99 or less)
Nuts ($6.00 per lb or less)
Cocoa Powder ($2.00 per 8 oz or less)
Holiday Candy (varies)
Canned Vegetables (.50 or less)
Condensed Soups (.50 or less)
Canned Pumpkin ($1.00 or less)
Butter ($2.00 per lb or less)
Ham ($1.00 per lb or less)
Turkey ($1.00 per lb or less)
Sweet Potatoes (.33 per lb or less)
Baking Potatoes (.15 per lb or less)
Onions (.69 per lb or less)
Carrots ($1.00 per lb or less)
Stuffing Mix (.75 or less)

 

What would you add to this list? I’d love to know!

 

Other posts you might enjoy:

Check out my top 5 tips for saving money at Christmas on gracefullittlehoneybee.comFind out how to earn extra money and gift cards for Christmas on gracefullittlehoneybee.com

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  1. Pamela Caldwell says

    November 14, 2016 at 8:48 am

    If you are a liquor person Christmas is great for getting freebies with purchases. Example : drinking glasses, smaller bottles of a different flavor, adult stocking stuffers, decor.
    Reply
    • Missy Rakes says

      November 14, 2016 at 9:02 am

      I didn't know this. Thanks for the tip!
      Reply
  2. Samantha says

    November 15, 2016 at 9:02 pm

    Your pinnable pictures are beautiful. I just grabbed name brand canned green beans, corn and chicken broth for 49 cents each. I also grabbed butter for 1.99 each. I can't beat these sales, and freeze them when I can.
    Reply
    • Missy Rakes says

      November 16, 2016 at 4:07 pm

      Sweet! I buy TONS of butter this time of year and keep it in the freezer.
      Reply
  3. Jaime says

    November 17, 2016 at 6:28 am

    Bags of fresh cranberries can be popped right in the freezer. Butternut squash can be peeled, cut in chunks and frozen. Fresh mushrooms can be frozen as well. I just clean and slice them first. All go on sale throughout the holiday time frame and it's nice to stock up!
    Reply
    • Missy Rakes says

      November 17, 2016 at 8:51 am

      I forgot about cranberries! You can also dehydrate mushrooms.
      Reply
    • S says

      April 13, 2022 at 1:13 pm

      I used to work for a grocery store. The very best time (cheapest) to buy groceries are right before holidays, especially Thanksgiving & Easter. Stock up or at least buy extras, to save for later.
      Reply
  4. Lesa says

    November 17, 2016 at 6:30 am

    Spices and Extracts are usually at a decent price during the holidays.
    Reply
  5. Salli says

    November 18, 2016 at 10:40 am

    Too bad we can't stock pile on Eggs! Haha! Prices have fallen so low the past month ( 38 cents a dozen ) But it is a great savings right now for all the baked goods I do for Thanksgiving and Christmas. ???
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      November 18, 2016 at 2:14 pm

      Whole Fed Homestead has a post on how she freezes eggs. I haven't tried it, but for scrambled eggs it sounds like a good idea.
      Reply
    • Missy Rakes says

      November 18, 2016 at 2:41 pm

      Like Jennifer said, I believe you can freeze them, but I haven't tried it myself. Might be worth a try. :)
      Reply
      • Melody says

        November 19, 2016 at 11:11 am

        I've tried freezing eggs when my chickens were over-producing but they came out rubbery. The only way I've heard it can be done is to beat them with salt or sugar to stabilize them for freezing. Of course, you would need to label them so you know which to pull out depending on how you were going to use them! I haven't tried doing that since I didn't want to waste them again if it didn't work.
        Reply
        • Missy Rakes says

          November 20, 2016 at 2:40 pm

          Thanks for sharing your experience!
          Reply
  6. Angela says

    November 18, 2016 at 2:02 pm

    I've been stocking up on a lot of these items with the sales the past couple of weeks. I just bought butter today because it was under $2/pound!
    Reply
    • Missy Rakes says

      November 18, 2016 at 2:40 pm

      I love stocking up on butter. :)
      Reply
  7. Shirley Douglas says

    November 18, 2016 at 4:12 pm

    I would add Cranberries to your list. At the Aldi's near me, I purchased 10 bags of Cranberries this week at $.79 per bag. They probably will go up some in price over the next few week but they are always less than Kroger's. They freeze well. I like to cook Cranberries in my oatmeal. I really enjoy your blog!
    Reply
    • Missy Rakes says

      November 20, 2016 at 2:41 pm

      Cranberries is a good one to add!
      Reply
  8. Yvonne Moucha says

    November 19, 2016 at 12:34 pm

    I stock up on extracts and holiday sprinkles. I bake a lot during the holidays and give trays to co workers and friends. After Christmas, I purchase my trays and candy containers for the following year. I save at least 75%. I love your list.
    Reply
  9. Jo8 says

    November 19, 2016 at 11:39 pm

    Safeway has Philly cream cheese 8oz. at buy one get TWO free through 11/22. I just got $30+ worth of brand name cream cheese for about $12 today!
    Reply
    • Missy Rakes says

      November 20, 2016 at 2:39 pm

      Sweet! Do you freeze it?
      Reply
      • Priscilla says

        November 21, 2016 at 12:28 am

        Butter and cream cheese left unopened will last a long time just in the fridge and keeps its nice texture. I've had it for 6 months without harm
        Reply
      • Annie says

        December 12, 2016 at 12:03 am

        Cream cheese does not freeze well. It will get grainy.
        Reply
        • Missy Rakes says

          December 12, 2016 at 8:39 am

          That's what I thought.
          Reply
  10. Jerri says

    November 22, 2016 at 7:51 am

    How do you store marshmallows? My daughter loves them, but we don't eat them or use an entire package, so we throw out a lot.
    Reply
    • Missy Rakes says

      November 22, 2016 at 9:23 am

      I'm not sure how to keep them fresh. They should sell them in smaller bags because I have the same problem.
      Reply
      • terri says

        August 16, 2019 at 11:40 am

        SEAL A MEAL! Get the containers and vacuum out the air! Keep out only what will be eaten in a short time- open container and take out more and reseal the rest for latter. The containers Work great for items that would 'smooch'. We are on our second Seal a meal machine and have a 3rd ready for when the 2nd dies (its the heat shrink sealing strip that usually goes on the machine and is not replaceable- this seals bags closed). If you are baking cookies (a lot) and don't want to bake all at once these containers are great for keeping fresh baked cookies fresh.
        Reply
    • Lisa says

      November 29, 2016 at 12:55 am

      I put mine in a ziploc bag and keep in my cupboard. I squeeze out as much air as I can and they last awhile.
      Reply
    • Jan says

      December 9, 2016 at 10:54 pm

      freeze them they will be nice and soft when you unthaw them
      Reply
  11. Michelle says

    November 23, 2016 at 6:29 pm

    Candy canes! I like to use them for hot chocolate stirrers. I crush them for cupcake / cake topping. I also picked up some canned pie filling and just regular canned punpkin. We like pumpkin bread and we make dog treats with pumpkin and oats. Coffee holiday blends usually stay fresh stored in the freezer.
    Reply
  12. Bonita Kale says

    December 6, 2016 at 9:22 am

    Don't forget candied fruit, if you have uses for it. Glaceed green and red cherries, for instance. And colored sugar for cookies, etc. I'd love to store chocolate chips, but they wind up being stored on my hips!
    Reply
    • Missy Rakes says

      December 6, 2016 at 12:25 pm

      LOL! Maybe if you put them in the bottom of your freezer?? :) I'm the same way with chocolate.
      Reply
  13. Marla says

    December 9, 2016 at 11:58 pm

    Vegetable oil
    Reply
  14. Teddie James Helms says

    December 10, 2016 at 7:45 am

    White Karo Syrup, dark syrup ( for pies & candies) Sweetened Flaked Coconut, Coconut Oil Canola. Or Vegetable oil, Cooking Pan Sprays Parchment paper, Foil, plastic Wrap, gift containerscontainers, ribbons & tags Disposal baking pans Oven mitts, pot holders , kitchen dish towels
    Reply
  15. Michelle says

    December 18, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    Whole cranberries are also incredibly cheap right after Christmas. I have often paid .25 per bag (like 10 0z) you can put the whole bag in the freezer to use whenever, or use them to make canned cranberry sauce or juice and dried cranberries. Smells wonderful, and tastes even better.
    Reply
  16. Mandi G says

    December 18, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    Cranberries! I found some for 89 cents a bag and got several. I wish I had more freezer space.
    Reply
  17. Christine says

    September 29, 2017 at 1:15 pm

    Hi I usually see good prices on foil wrap, parchment, wax paper as well as disposable foil pans and plastic food storage containers. I buy extra for wrapping,storing and giving food and bake goods. Plus we all use these things throughout the year. Also canned broths and stock are usually good buys around the holidays. I keep extra on hand so in case my homemade stock supply gets low I'm not caught without any.
    Reply
    • Denise says

      October 2, 2017 at 1:03 pm

      Yes, I love purchasing paper products/foil pans and baggies after Christmas on the clearance aisle...I don't care if my ziplocks are clear or green! Got several rolls of parchment paper and ziplocks in Christmas clearance last year and it was the same stuff on the shelves in the paper aisle for much higher cost.
      Reply
  18. Mary Elizabeth Tait says

    October 16, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    Watch the clearance aisles after the holidays for even deeper discounts. I have picked up great deals on canned goods and many other items. When red and green decorating sugar and sprinkles are marked way down think about Valentines Day or St Patrick's Day!
    Reply
    • Bonnie says

      December 30, 2018 at 5:37 pm

      I separated the Hershey’s kisses and used the red for Valentine’s Day; the green for St. Patrick’s Day. ?♥️
      Reply
      • Sue says

        August 17, 2019 at 7:26 am

        I do the same with M&Ms
        Reply
  19. bobbi says

    November 21, 2017 at 5:21 pm

    I wish these prices were in our neck of the woods. I don't understand how they can't be really, lol. Oh well, we do what we can, and this is a very nice list. Thank you
    Reply
  20. Maria says

    March 22, 2018 at 9:41 pm

    Hi great ideas,but would love to buy where you shop because I really pay more,way more than the prices you list and I take in consideration the dates
    Reply
  21. Sharon Klemeks says

    June 28, 2018 at 2:50 pm

    You can freeze eggs by cracking them into ice trays one or per ice cube receptical them pop them out into plastic bags in the freezer. Premeasured for baking.
    Reply
  22. Licia says

    December 21, 2018 at 6:30 pm

    Love your thinking, in New Jersey we wait for a a special sale every year during the holidays (it's called the can-can sale) I stock up on chock full o nuts coffee $1.99 a can, Ocean Spray cranberry sauce $.99 a can, Dole pineapple slices for $.99 a can and GG niblets for $.99 a can. These few name brands which my family won't let me substitute for a store brand etc. are very pricey the rest of the year.. All have excellent shelf life and I stock up enough until next years sale. Even if the store has daily limits, I shop every day of the sale to take advantage of it. On coffee alone , I save $4 a can sometimes more during the year. It is so worth it, we use approximately 2-3 cans per week. I would put them under the bed if I had to. Luckily I have a space under the stairs for just kind of stock up. I too buy things on your list, especially if your a baker, wow the savings are huge. Thanks so much and Happy, happy holidays
    Reply
  23. Debbie Swanson says

    September 2, 2019 at 11:22 am

    Would love to see this list updated please
    Reply
  24. Fran Puckett says

    March 24, 2020 at 11:17 pm

    Fresh apples and other fruits that will no longer be readily available. Remember, I said FRESH, not something shipped from West to East or from another country, I mean LOCAL or SEMI-local.
    Reply
  25. do,ores says

    October 13, 2020 at 8:09 pm

    I picked up raw peanuts for peanut brittle 2lb bags for 50cents.,planters. Mixed nuts in the shell for $1.00 a lb. Bought 10 bags of peanuts put in zip locks took air out and froze. Thawing doesn't make themmushy.
    Reply
  26. Megan says

    October 4, 2021 at 10:32 pm

    I stock up on bags of cranberries! They freeze wonderfully!
    Reply
  27. Geni says

    November 10, 2021 at 11:11 pm

    How old are your prices. Even cheap stores in NW Oregon are 2-3 times more than your list.
    Reply
  28. S says

    April 13, 2022 at 1:12 pm

    I used to work for a grocery store. The very best time (cheapest) to buy groceries are right before holidays, especially Thanksgiving & Easter. Stock up or at least buy extras, to save for later.
    Reply
  29. Louise says

    December 16, 2022 at 12:04 am

    I love fresh acorn squash and buy it this time of year in small batches (4 at a time). Stab with a fork and bake in the oven about 30 Min. Take out and let it cool down a bit. Cut open, spoon out seeds and toss. Scoop out squash into a mixing bowl. I add to taste a little salt, butter, brown sugar. Mix well and store servings using sandwich bags. Note date and what is inside. Freeze. If you want to save the seeds to plant in your garden cut the quash in half and scoop out the seats for planting later. Place squash up side down on a rack in a roasting pan with some water in it. Bake until done. Yum!
    Reply

Welcome, I'm Missy and I'd love to help you cook from scratch, save money and live a more simple and abundant life. Click the buttons below to follow along on social media and get to know me better. Have a lovely day!

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