Ivy says:
Since I wasn’t cooking Christmas dinner, Christmas Eve dinner, or any other dinner over the Christmas 4 day weekend extravaganza, I didn’t bother to take on my least favorite chore. I mean, I had enough to do, why bother with grocery shopping? I managed to put it off until this morning. I looked in my refrigerator and realized I hadmore beer/wine/liquor than food and my college days are long behind me. This just wouldn’t do.
I wrote out a copious list, took the kids to (BAD MAMA, BAD!) Wendy’s for lunch, and hit the grocery store. I was shocked at what I found. The Christmas stuff, which at Target and other places, had been obliterated and looked a complete mess, was fairly pristine and was all 50% or more off. Not only that, but they were giving away balloons (the nice mylar kind, apparently Christmas leftovers), and the employees were so nice I had to look twice to make sure I was in Kroger. The place was practically deserted as well, making my shopping experience just that much better.
I breezed through my shopping like I never have before. The kids, occupied with their nice, mylar balloons kept themselves busy. I bought a giant box of Turtles, originally $9.99, for $4. I was in such a magnanimous mood that when I was browsing through the leftover Christmas stuff, I bought each kid a stuffed animal- total for both stuffed animals, under $5.
The grocery store is the way to go for the after Christmas sales. The markdowns were great, the staff was nice, and the sale area wasn’t trashed. That’s my kind of shopping right there.
I can so relate to this line…
“the employees were so nice I had to look twice to make sure I was in Kroger.” 😉
I am now a Publix convert!
Any way, I had to do some shopping Christmas Eve morning at Publix and they had already marked down all their Christmas candy and decorations and gift wrap 50 percent. I picked up a couple of Ghirardelli chocolate tins for half off as last minute hostess type gifts.
We got some great deals at Kroger — some pretty painted Christmas plates and platters perfect for putting candy or cookies on and giving away next year to someone. They were only fifty cents each! I’m talking big dinner size plates. Got a couple sets of glass Christmas goblets for fifty cents a glass — would make a great shower gift. Christmas tea towels for fifty cents — nice hostess gift next year.
Ooo, and they had their seasonal Hershey’s peppermint kisses on sale, too. 😉
The local grocery store near me marked down all turkeys to $5, no matter the weight. I didn’t get one because I just don’t have room in the freezer, but I was sorely tempted to keep eating turkey into February.
I went out yesterday to Meijer and was very fortunate to not find the store over ran with shoppers. Shopping isn’t such a hassle when the place is empty and organized!
Take Care,
Trixie
I agree the grocery store is a great place for seasonal merchandise. I fought the crowds at Wal Mart, I should have just gone to Kroger I guess! 😉
Hi Ivy!
Just wanted to let you know (in case you don’t already), since you’re in the same area, that the Mikasa store at Opry Mills is closing down and as of last night everything was 60% off the lowest marked price. THAT is an impressive after Christmas sale because usually I can’t even afford to think about setting foot in that store. So there’s a little sale tip for you….