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I finished all my Christmas shopping at Costco for less than $200. Here are the best gifts I bought.

9 December 2024 at 06:01
A composite image of three rows of Simple Modern cream-, purple-, and green-colored tumblers with handles and straws, and Green- and cream-colored Christmas-tree-shaped cookie jars on display at Costco.
Costco is my go-to place to buy presents for everyone on my Christmas list.

Stephanie Pitera Statile

  • I finished all my Christmas shopping at Costco for less than $200.
  • Some of the best gifts I found include the Simple Modern Trek tumblers and Dearfoams slippers.
  • Costco also had a great selection of discounted gift cards to local restaurants.

Costco is one of my favorite places to shop โ€” so much so that I always dedicate one day a year to finishing my Christmas shopping at the big-box retailer.

From cozy flannels and slippers to kid's books and cookies, here are the best Christmas gifts I bought at Costco this year.

Simple Modern Trek tumblers are equal parts trendy and practical.
Three rows of Simple Modern cream-, purple-, and green-colored tumblers with handles and straws.
I found Simple Modern Trek tumblers in a few colors at my Costco.

Stephanie Pitera Statile

Tumblers have been super trendy this year, and these Simple Modern ones caught my eye as soon as I walked into Costco.

The 40-ounce cups can keep drinks either hot or cold for 24 hours, and the handle makes it easy to take them on the go.

I grabbed two for my cousins, and I may go back to get one for myself.

The Dearfoams slippers were too cozy to pass up.
Stacks of Dearfoams women's slippers in gray and black colors.
I think Dearfoams slippers can be a great gift for moms.

Stephanie Pitera Statile

When I came across pairs of ladies' Dearfoams slippers for $15 each, I knew I had to grab a pair for both my mom and mother-in-law.

The slippers, available at my Costco in gray or black, have an ultra-thick memory-foam insole and are perfect for anyone who works from home or doesn't like to walk around the house in shoes.

Avalanche thermal socks can be a great stocking stuffer.
Three displays of socks, with boxes of Avalanche Ultimate thermal socks in the middle.
Thermal socks seem like a good gift for those who work outside.

Stephanie Pitera Statile

My dad works outside, so I always like to get him a few things to keep him warm throughout the winter.

He's a big fan of hand and toe warmers, but I thought he might like these Avalanche thermal socks, which promise all-day warmth. I got a pack of three for $10.

Hammond's snowball cookies come in the cutest festive jar.
Green- and cream-colored Christmas-tree-shaped cookie jars on display at Costco.
The tree-shaped jars can easily be repurposed.

Stephanie Pitera Statile

If you're looking for a gift that's delicious and beautiful, I recommend looking for Hammond's snowball cookies, which come in a Christmas-tree-shaped jar at Costco.

I grabbed one for my aunt, but think this would also make a great gift for friends or coworkers.

At $17, I thought this was a great deal.

The Freedom Foundry shacket was a hit with my dad last year, so I grabbed another one.
Stacks of blue, gray, and maroon men's shackets on display at Costco.
My dad wears his first Freedom Foundry shacket often.

Stephanie Pitera Statile

Last Christmas, I got my dad a Freedom Foundry shacket that he still wears all the time. In fact, he loved the warm, plush shirt jacket so much that he dropped a not-so-subtle hint that he'd love another one this year.

I was super excited when I came across more colors of the shackets for only $20 each.

Costco has a great selection of discounted gift cards.
A display of gift cards at Costco, most prominently, packs of four $25 Bubbakoo's Burritos gift cards.
I try to buy most of my gift cards at Costco.

Stephanie Pitera Statile

Every year, I like to browse Costco's selection of gift cards, many of which are for local restaurants and chains. The best part is most gift cards sold here are worth more than what shoppers pay for them.

For example, I grabbed $100 worth of gift cards to Bubbakoo's Burritos for just $70. The pack I got came with four gift cards, which makes it easy to split this up for multiple people on my list.

My cousin's daughter is going to love the Bluey book-and-toy set.
A woman's hand holding a Bluey book.
Costco has a pretty decent selection of books and toys.

Stephanie Pitera Statile

I always struggle with what to get the little ones in my life โ€” but I added this adorable Bluey book-and-toy set to my cart as soon as I saw it.

The book felt high-quality and features many of the show's characters. It also comes with 10 figurines and a play mat.

It seemed worth more than the $11 I paid for it, and I think it's perfect for my cousin's daughter.

Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one.

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I'm a dietitian on the Mediterranean diet who loves Costco. Here are 10 of the best things I bought there this year.

5 December 2024 at 10:28
boxes of pomegranates at costco
It's finally pomegranate season, and Costco has a great deal on the fruit.

Lauren Manaker

  • I'm a dietitian who follows the Mediterranean diet, and I shop for pantry staples at Costco.
  • Costco is my go-to spot for pistachios, salad kits, riced cauliflower, and olive oil.
  • I also really enjoyed some of its seasonal products this year, like churro-flavored ground coffee.

As a dietitian, I'm dedicated to the Mediterranean diet โ€” a way of eating that highlights wholesome grains, fats, proteins, and produce and avoids processed foods and refined sugars.

Costco is home to bulk bargains and oversized shopping carts that nearly require a license to navigate, but it also happens to be filled with Mediterranean-friendly treasures.

Here are my favorite grocery finds of 2024.

I don't drink much soda, but I love Olipop

Strawberry-vanilla Olipop
Olipop is a prebiotic drink with less sugar than most traditional sodas.

Veronica Thatcher

Soda isn't a staple on the Mediterranean diet, but I enjoy it occasionally.

Olipop prebiotic soda allows me to indulge while packing up to 9 grams of fiber per can. It also has far less sugar than regular sodas.

Costco sells single-flavor bulk packs, but I like to snag the 24-can variety pack when it's available.

Pom Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice is a fun winter treat

hand holding a bottle of pom pomegranate juice at costco
I like making pomegranate mocktails.

Lauren Manaker

When the weather gets cooler, I love having pomegranate juice on hand for festive holiday mocktails (the natural red hue elevates any concoction beautifully).

Plus, Pom Wonderful just uses whole-pressed pomegranates โ€” no added sugars or fillers.

The organic Mediterranean-crunch salad kit from Taylor Farms is a staple

chopped salad kits in the fridge at costco
It's nice to have a salad kit in the fridge for quick lunches or dinners.

Lauren Manaker

On busy weeknights, salad kits are a go-to for easy meal prep.

This Mediterranean-crunch kit from Taylor Farms is packed with a variety of veggies and feta cheese. I like to add some pistachios or cooked fish for extra protein.

I still keep an eye out for my favorite seasonal flavor of Copper Cow Coffee

At the beginning of the year, my local Costco had Copper Cow Coffee's churro flavor, and I still keep an eye out for if it'll return to shelves.

The Vietnamese coffee is made with a blend of robusta and arabica coffee beans and fresh ground cinnamon for a warming cup with a touch of spice.

I still snag regular-sized bags of the flavor at other stores, but the 2-pound bags at Costco were a convenient find. I hope to see them again in 2025.

I buy Purely Frozen organic riced cauliflower for my smoothies

Costcoo frozen organic riced cauliflower
The riced cauliflower blends smoothly.

Elizabeth Blasi

The huge bags of Purely Frozen organic riced cauliflower at Costco are a good value for me.

I add some of it to all of my weekday smoothies to stay consistent with my veggie intake each morning.

Wonderful Pistachios are my go-to snack

crates of pistachios on shelves at costco
I like the salt-and-pepper flavor from Wonderful Pistachios.

Lauren Manaker

Plant-based proteins are a big component of the Mediterranean diet, and pistachios are a complete source โ€” meaning they provide all of the essential amino acids.

Costco sells big bags of Wonderful Pistachios' salt-and-pepper-flavored nuts.

They're a no-brainer at snack time, or anytime I want to add some more nutrients to a meal.

I'm glad I came across the Savannah Bee Company honey trio

boxes of a honey trio kit at costco
The pack comes with acacia honey, raw honeycomb, and orange-blossom honey.

Lauren Manaker

Honey is a natural source of antioxidants, and it's delicious.

I came across the Savannah Bee Company three-pack at Costco, which offers acacia honey, raw honeycomb, and orange-blossom honey.

I like to mix and match flavors depending on the dish I'm preparing.

JohnnyPops organic sunrise pops were great in the summer

Dietitians need treats, too.

This summer, my local Costco sold JohnnyPops frozen fruit pops, which are made with simple ingredients (minimally processed) and taste really good.

Plus, since they're individually wrapped, they're great for portion control.

I'm definitely keeping my eye out for them next summer.

I'm a big fan of the Kirkland 100% Spanish extra-virgin olive oil

bottles of spanish olive oil at costco
Spanish olive oil has a nice flavor.

Lauren Manaker

I go through a lot of olive oil as it's a staple of the Mediterranean diet.

Although I don't have a favorite variety, per se, I'm partial to Spanish olive oil because of its fruity, nutty, and peppery notes.

The Kirkland Spanish olive oil is cold-extracted and comes in a dark bottle, which should help preserve its quality (and flavor) over time.

The Seeds of Change organic quinoa and brown rice pouches are lifesavers

boxes of quinoa and rice packs at Costco
The microwaveable pouches make it easy for me to serve whole grains.

Lauren Manaker

I like to keep Seeds of Change's organic quinoa and brown rice pouches on hand. They help me get a whole grain (another Mediterranean-diet staple) on the dinner table in 90 seconds.

Although I prefer making brown rice and quinoa the old-fashioned way, precooked grains make life a little easier on busy nights.

Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I've worked at Costco for 19 years. Here are the 10 best holiday gifts I'm seeing on shelves right now.

3 December 2024 at 06:59
Two Ghirardelli gift baskets sit side-by-side in a Costco display. One gift basket has a silver tin, and the other has a bronze tin
Costco has plenty of great options for the holiday season.

Veronica Thatcher

  • As a Costco employee, I know there are plenty of great items to grab as gifts this holiday season.
  • The Ghirardelli gift baskets come with chocolates and other tasty sweets.
  • I already bought the MyCharge three-in-one folding wireless charging pad for my husband.

As a Costco employee, I love shopping at the store no matter the time of year. However, each holiday season, I'm reminded that the retailer is a great place to stock up on gifts for friends and family.

From comfy slippers to adorable toys, here are the 10 best gifts I saw at Costco this holiday season.

The Swissgear weekender tote would make a great gift for travel and gym enthusiasts.
A white cardboard box holding black and white Swiss Gear bags
The Swissgear weekender tote has sturdy straps and lots of storage space.

Veronica Thatcher

The Swissgear weekender tote would be the perfect gift for someone who loves traveling or going to the gym.

The versatile tote features sturdy handles, a removable shoulder strap, and a padded bottom compartment for extra storage. The bags come in black, cream, and pink colors.ย 

The Hello Kitty pillow-and-blanket bundle is a perfect gift for fans of the iconic character.
A red cardboard box containing Hello Kitty pillows at Costco
I already bought the Hello Kitty cloud-pillow-and-blanket bundle for my daughter.

Veronica Thatcher

Hello Kitty has been pretty popular this year, so I didn't want to miss my chance to get this pillow-and-blanket set as a Christmas gift for my daughter.

Each bundle comes with a Hello Kitty plush cloud pillow and a reversible, 60-by-70-inch polyester throw. This set would make the perfect addition to a kid's or collector's room.

The Bellevue candle set can be split up and given as individual gifts.
Two boxes with images of candles stacked on top of each other with a green, blue, orange, and red candle on top
The Bellevue luxury candle set comes with four scents.

Veronica Thatcher

Costco gets great seasonal homeware items, and this year, I'd recommend picking up the Bellevue luxury candle set.

Each pack has four 12-ounce candles with removable labels and metal lids. The candles, which are formulated with essential oils, come in mistletoe-frost, sapphire-cashmere, heirloom-apple-grove, and cinnamon-pumpkin-chai scents.

I like to split these candles up and give them by themselves or with a gift card in a clear bag with a bow.

I pick up the Ghirardelli gift baskets every year.ย 
Two Ghirardelli gift baskets sit side-by-side in a Costco display. One gift basket has a silver tin, and the other has a bronze tin
The Ghirardelli gift baskets make a super easy holiday gift.

Veronica Thatcher

Buying Christmas presents can be difficult, especially if you come from a big family like mine. Luckily, these Ghirardelli baskets make gift-giving easy.

The gift baskets contain a selection of the brand's popular items, like chocolate-covered pretzels and signature candies. Each set also comes with a resealable tin that can be used for storage.

This year, my location is carrying two basket sets with different combinations of caramel- and chocolate-flavored treats.

The Skullcandy Kilo Bluetooth speakers have lots of great features.
A black cardboard box containing a Skullcandy pouch and two speakers
The Skullcandy Kilo Bluetooth speakers have a durable design and a 24-hour battery life.

Veronica Thatcher

This Skullcandy Kilo speaker-and-case bundle can be split into two gifts for the price of one.

The Bluetooth speakers have aluminum carabiners, a durable design, and a 24-hour battery life.

I love the Rabbit five-piece wine set with an electric corkscrew and aerator.
A hand holds a burgundy box with an image of a wine bottle with an electric dispenser pouring wine into a glass
The Rabbit five-piece wine set with an electric corkscrew and aerator makes opening and storing bottles easy.

Veronica Thatcher

This electric-tool set could be a great gift for a white-elephant exchange or for someone who loves wine.

The five-piece set has two USB-C charging cables, two bottle stoppers, a foil cutter, an electric corkscrew, and a wine dispenser.

I like this set because the tools make it easy to open a bottle of wine and keep it tasting fresh.

The Stanley Jr. workbench tool set would be fun for young children.
Large yellow boxes containing Stanley Jr. workbenches with an image of a child on the front
The Stanley Jr. workbench comes with wooden kits to make a birdhouse and a forklift.

Veronica Thatcher

This Stanley workbench tool set would likely make any kid happy. The cute set comes with a workbench, different tools, and wooden-birdhouse and forklift kits.

I like this set, meant for ages 8 and older, because it's a great way to make kids feel included when they want to help with adult-level projects.

During the winter, I feel like we can all use a pair of Dearfoams slippers.
Cardboard boxes with blue detailing hold men's and women's Dearfoams slippers
My Costco has Dearfoams slippers in a few different sizes.

Veronica Thatcher

Slippers are one of my favorite gifts to give, and lately, my Costco has been carrying lots of men's and women's Dearfoams.

The machine-washable slippers can be worn both inside and out, and come in a few different sizes and colors.

I'm buying myself the KitchenAid six-quart bowl-lift stand mixer.
White boxes with red detailing holding silver and red mixing-bowl sets at Costco
The KitchenAid six-quart bowl-lift stand mixer comes in silver and red colors.

Veronica Thatcher

This year, I'm getting a KitchenAid stand mixer as a gift to myself.

The bundle includes five attachments: a flat beater, a dough hook, a six-wire whip, a pouring shield, and a flex-edge beater. The stand mixers themselves are available in red and silver hues.

The MyCharge three-in-one wireless charging pad could be a useful gift for people with lots of electronics.
A blue box holding wireless charging pads for Apple products
The MyCharge three-in-one folding wireless charging pad is compatible with Apple products.

Veronica Thatcher

As soon as I saw this charging pad, I knew I had to get it for my husband. It will help him keep everything in one place while charging his must-have electronics.

This charging pad, compatible with only Apple products, can charge an iPhone, AirPods, and an Apple Watch. Its foldable design makes it compact so you can take it almost anywhere.ย 

Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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