Normally, I try to keep an eye out for holiday-related food on sale and buy it year round. I try to stock up on things like flour, canned olives, spices, etc if I see them on sale, no matter what time of year. However, this has been a very hectic year for me, and I have almost nothing in my reserves. So I guess I'm going to have to stock up on my Staples when I buy the rest of my holiday foods. I haven't comparison-shopped for holiday staples for eons, because I always try to buy them year round. Am I going to end up having to pay full price this year? Or have you found that the best prices are right around the holidays?
Usually early to mid December! I never remember to do so before that. Sometimes I will get stuff earlier if I find them on sale or I pass through a store and a product I know someone would love. But as I usually don't have as much money as I would like to spend with gifts I will get just a little something for everyone in my family and close friends.
In my household, we don't really stock up on anything holiday related because we're never home. Our family is quite big and every year we have parties and events to go to, so it makes no sense to stock up on grocery items. Though other than holiday related food items, we always stock up on pastas and tomato paste.
I don't usually shop for holiday grocery because my family and I usually eat out on the holiday. I haven't done holiday grocery shopping since I work everyday, which I usually eat at my work place. My dad owns a restaurant, therefore, I eat there everyday. My parents do most of the restaurant grocery shopping twice a week, which they would normally buy stuff that only last the day before the holiday.
It depends on my dad, because he's in charge of the food around the house. If he's in the mood, he will cook for Christmas, and he usually does his grocery shopping a week or 2 before Christmas. If he doesn't feel like cooking, then he will just buy food outside and it will serve as our Christmas feast.
