Christmas grocery trip!
I was PSYCHED for this trip. I was so pumped. I was practically drooling in the car on the way there.
Why, you ask?
Because I had nothing to prove, baby!
First of all, I was way under budget last week so I headed into this trip flush with cash and feeling breezy.
Second of all, I already have my Christmas turkey because of all those free turkeys I wrangled during the Thanksgiving promotions. So the big chunk of my grocery needs were already taken care of. They freed me from worrying about meal planning and protein deal chasing. It’s turkey all week, baby! Feeling groovy!
Third of all, this is my second to last grocery trip of 2019. Which means that I only have two trips left at this budget. Once we hit 2020, the new five person grocery budget goes into effect! I am looking forward to this immensely, since the Teacup and three and a half teeth and eats more and more everyday. Having a new budget will accommodate her growing appetite and release me from the roller coaster of over-under-over-under budgets.
So things were really coming up Kristen B this grocery trip.
Since I don’t want to be too braggy about my delightful shopping experience, let’s talking Christmas Eve.
Growing up, Christmas Eve was always appetizers. Everyone in the family would pick one or two appetizers and my Dad would do a trip to pick them all up from various places. Then we would put everything out on the table, and it was a buffet of snacks while we watched Christmas movies.
My parents always did a big party for family on Christmas Day, so the appetizers started as a matter of practicality. They didn’t want anyone in the kitchen after they cleaned it to a shine and had a ton of sides prepped in the fridge. But it grew to be something we all really enjoyed. We would take bets on who would pick what appetizers, and my sisters and I would rotate who got to do with my Dad to pick everything up. Sometimes we would all choose things from the same place, like the year we dubbed Sushi Christmas. Sometimes we all picked from a different place, which is how we learned the distance from each of our favorite restaurants in holiday traffic.
I loved the casual atmosphere: the calm, intimate family time before the big to do with all the extended family. When I had kids of my own, I knew I wanted to pass on this tradition.
Of course, we’ve modified it a little bit. Every Christmas Eve, each family member is allowed to pick two easy things for Christmas Eve, and then we vote on the dessert. This year’s pick? Salami and Proscuitto from Mr. B, fresh mozzarella and avocados for the Glass Slipper, homemade bread and berries from the Frying Pan, and roast tomatoes and gouda for me! Our voted dessert was Chocolate Covered Orange Slices.
And the best part? I had most of this already! I picked up a few things on this trip, and was able to grab one of the things on sale at Costco. So no driving around for me or Mr. B! All this was prepped the day before Christmas Eve, and the most work I have to do is throwing something in the over on low for a few hours. Double win! All I do is win!
We’ll munch on our appetizers and watch our favorite Christmas movie: The Muppet Christmas Carol. It’s all the things I loved about my family’s traditions with a new kick for a new generation.
- Bananas, 2.03 lb-$1.20.
- Blackberries, 12 oz-$4.99. Not on sale, but the Frying Pan’s Christmas wish, so we figure it out. ;)
- Boar’s Head Pepperoni, .5 lb-$4.33.
- Clementines, 5 lb-$5.99. These were advertised as $3.99, but in the name of Christmas, I let this one go. Also, in the name of my fussy 13 month old. Had to get them home to cover them in chocolate. The oranges, not the baby. :)
- Green Beans, .78 lb-$.77. In-store sale for $.99 a pound. The perfect side item for our Christmas Turkey.
- Heritage Farm Chicken Breast, 5.20 lb-$10.35.
- Honey Bunches of Oats (2)-$3.19. Buy One, Get One Free in-store sale. Comes out to
- Kroger Milk, gal-$2.19.
- Kroger Sausage, 1lb-$2.49. *Digital Coupon* for $.50 off.
- McCormick Organic Chipotle Chili-$6.59. My favorite spice and my Christmas gift to me!
- Monterey Jack Cheese-$4.19.
- Private Selection Honey Turkey, .75 lb-$6.31.
- Private Selection Wheat Bread-$1.99.
- Raspberries, 12 oz-$4.99.
- Red Gold Canned Tomatoes (6)-$3. BOGO brings them to $.50 each.
- Ribeye Steak, 1.01 lb-$6.52. Manager’s Special!
- Romaine Lettuce, .96 lb-$1.62.
- Roma Tomatoes, 1.14 lb-$1.13
- Simple Truth Organic Baby Food Pouches (10)-$10. In-store sale!
- Apps I’ll submit to: Fetch Rewards, Ibotta ($.25 Off Any Item), CoinOut
Total Budget: $96.26
Total Spent: $81.84
Total Saved: $13.21
Rolled Over to Next Week: $14.42
What’s your favorite Christmas meal tradition? What are you having for Christmas dinner? What did you eat for Christmas Eve dinner? Are you big partiers or more into small, intimate gatherings? Tell me all your holiday goals below and most importantly…A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey five years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!