Welcome to my latest Costco haul, specially curated for a bustling holiday season! While many of my usual grocery staples are featured in my regular Costco shopping videos, this particular trip was all about preparing for a memorable Thanksgiving. This year, I’m honored to be hosting Thanksgiving dinner, alongside welcoming out-of-town guests into my home. This means stocking up on more than just dinner ingredients; I’m focusing on everything needed for delightful morning breakfasts and a sophisticated cocktail hour leading up to the main feast. If you’re looking for my everyday essentials, you can always watch my video dedicated to Costco staples I grab on every run.
As we dive into the festive spirit, remember that successful holiday hosting often comes down to smart planning and strategic shopping. Costco consistently proves to be a treasure trove for both everyday necessities and seasonal delights, making it my go-to for holiday preparations. From gourmet appetizers to essential breakfast items and charming decorations, this haul covers all the bases for a truly special celebration.
Before we explore the finds from this exciting haul, don’t forget to check out my comprehensive list of holiday main courses, appetizers, side dishes, and cocktails here. I’ve compiled everything you could possibly need to make your holidays delicious and stress-free!
Table of Contents
The Ultimate Holiday Dip!
For those who’ve followed my culinary adventures, you’ll be familiar with “THE DIP!” It’s been quite some time, over a year in fact, since I last brought this savory sensation home from Costco, but its return is perfectly timed for the holidays. This incredible dip is an absolute must-have for our Thanksgiving cocktail hour. Its rich, creamy texture and tantalizing flavor make it incredibly versatile. I’m planning to use it as a delicious filling for elegant stuffed mushrooms, adding a gourmet touch to our appetizer spread. Beyond that, it will be prominently featured alongside an assortment of crispy chips, offering a simple yet utterly satisfying snack for guests as they mingle.
While this particular Costco dip is a fantastic time-saver, I also highly recommend my homemade Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe. Honestly, it’s even better, offering a depth of flavor that’s hard to beat! However, with the monumental task of cooking the entire holiday meal this year, grabbing the pre-made option from Costco was a necessary and brilliant move. The convenience simply cannot be overstated during such a busy time. Priced affordably at around $5-7, this dip is available year-round, making it a dependable choice for any gathering, big or small. Its popularity is well-deserved, proving that sometimes, convenience can indeed be king, especially when juggling multiple holiday responsibilities. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that allows me to focus my efforts on other dishes.
Crispy Chips for Perfect Pairing
No dip is complete without the perfect accompaniment, and that’s where these generously sized bags of chips come into play. This substantial bag from Costco is ideal for pairing with our star dip, ensuring there’s plenty to go around during the festive cocktail hour. Beyond just dip duty, these chips will also be available for guests to snack on throughout their visit, providing a casual and accessible option for munching. The variety of textures and subtle saltiness of good quality chips makes them universally appealing and a staple for any successful gathering. They act as a blank canvas, ready to scoop up any flavorful spread, making them an indispensable part of our holiday snack bar. Choosing a larger bag from Costco not only offers excellent value but also guarantees that we won’t run out of this essential party item, even with a house full of hungry guests.
Chex Mix: A Classic Snack Bar Favorite
When it comes to easy, crowd-pleasing snacks for a cocktail hour, Chex Mix is an undeniable classic that never disappoints. Its irresistible blend of crunchy cereals, savory seasonings, pretzels, and nuts makes it a perennial favorite for guests of all ages. This large bag of Chex Mix from Costco is going straight onto our snack bar, offering a delightful mix of textures and flavors that will perfectly complement our other appetizers. It’s the kind of snack that encourages casual grazing and conversation, making it perfect for guests as they arrive and settle in. The beauty of Chex Mix lies in its satisfying crunch and complex savory profile, which can be surprisingly addictive. It’s an ideal choice for holiday entertaining because it requires no preparation, is mess-free, and offers a comforting, familiar taste that evokes a sense of home and festivity. Stocking up on this beloved snack ensures a well-rounded and inviting appetizer spread.
Gourmet Crab and Mushrooms
While many of my haul items are specifically for Thanksgiving, fresh crab and mushrooms are year-round staples I consistently pick up during my Costco visits. The crab, though now priced at $39.99, is an indulgence I find worth it for special occasions. I wanted to highlight it because it plays a crucial role in my holiday appetizer plans. I’m going to combine this premium crab with “THE DIP” to create an exquisite stuffing for fresh mushrooms. I’ve already tested this decadent combination, and the results were absolutely superb – a rich, savory, and utterly delicious bite that will undoubtedly impress our guests.
Furthermore, crab is also a key ingredient for another festive appetizer on our cocktail menu: my renowned Crab Rangoon recipe. To elevate this dish even further for the holidays, I’m planning a special addition: incorporating the exquisite cheese I discovered during my latest Trader Joe’s haul into the filling. The combination of the fresh crab, the creamy dip, and the added richness of this special cheese promises to create a truly unforgettable culinary experience. These crab and mushroom concoctions, whether stuffed mushrooms or elevated rangoon, will add a touch of luxury and sophistication to our holiday spread, making the investment in high-quality ingredients absolutely worthwhile for such a cherished family gathering.
Premium Cheese Selection
For any discerning host, Costco stands out as an unparalleled destination for an incredible selection of cheeses. From everyday varieties to gourmet specialties, they truly have it all. This trip, my focus was on securing the perfect cheeses for one of Thanksgiving’s most beloved side dishes: my famous Baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe. The secret to an outstanding mac and cheese lies in the quality of the cheese, and I always prioritize real Parmigiano Reggiano. It’s crucial to steer clear of generic, pre-grated “Parmesan” products, which often lack the authentic flavor and texture. Genuine Parmigiano Reggiano offers a complex, nutty, and salty profile that simply cannot be replicated by imitation alternatives. To ensure you’re getting the real deal, always take the time to read the label and confirm that the cheese was proudly made in Italy. This simple step guarantees a superior taste experience that will elevate your dishes.
Beyond mac and cheese, Costco’s diverse cheese section also offers fantastic options for creating an impressive cheese board, perfect for appetizer hour. Imagine an array of creamy brie, sharp cheddar, and tangy goat cheese, beautifully arranged with fruits, nuts, and crackers. Such a spread not only looks elegant but also provides a delightful variety for your guests to savor. Investing in high-quality cheese from Costco is a decision that consistently pays off, enhancing the flavor and sophistication of all your holiday culinary creations.
Effortless Croissants for Breakfast
When hosting out-of-town guests during the holidays, mornings can be quite hectic. That’s why these flaky, buttery croissants from Costco are an absolute lifesaver for breakfast! Their convenience and universal appeal make them an instant hit, providing a delicious and effortless start to the day. I love to lay out a generous spread featuring these warm croissants alongside an array of complementary items such as rich butter, assorted fruit jams, crispy bacon, and fluffy scrambled eggs. This setup empowers guests to customize their own breakfast sandwiches, ensuring everyone finds something they love. It’s a relaxed yet elegant way to serve breakfast, allowing for leisurely mornings and easy preparation.
These croissants store beautifully in the fridge and can be quickly warmed up in the oven just before serving, emerging golden and aromatic. For an even more complete breakfast experience, I often pair them with frozen hash browns, typically sourced from Trader Joe’s. Although I’m not thrilled about them being cooked in vegetable oil, their crispiness and flavor profile complement the croissants wonderfully. The combination of savory, crispy hash browns with the light, airy texture of a warm croissant creates a truly satisfying morning meal. This simple yet effective breakfast strategy minimizes stress for the host while maximizing enjoyment for guests, setting a delightful tone for the festive day ahead.
Festive Holiday Wreath
No holiday home is truly complete without a touch of festive greenery, and for me, a beautiful holiday wreath is an annual tradition. Every year, I look forward to picking out a fresh wreath to adorn my front door, instantly transforming the entrance into a welcoming beacon of holiday cheer. This year, I was a bit disappointed to find that the gorgeous poinsettias, which I typically incorporate into my seasonal decor, were already gone from Costco. It seems others were just as eager to embrace the holiday spirit!
Despite this minor setback, I’m determined to find the perfect poinsettias to complement my holiday theme. My next stops will be Trader Joe’s and Home Depot, as they often carry a fantastic selection of seasonal plants and decor. A well-chosen wreath not only adds aesthetic appeal but also symbolizes warmth and hospitality, setting the stage for joyful celebrations. It’s a simple yet powerful way to infuse your home with the magic of the season, creating a festive atmosphere for family and friends. The hunt for the perfect holiday adornments continues, driven by the desire to make this Thanksgiving and the entire holiday season as beautiful and memorable as possible.
Versatile Happy Bowls
When hosting for the holidays, having versatile and attractive serveware is just as important as the food itself. That’s where these “Happy Bowls” from Costco truly shine! I immediately envisioned multiple uses for these charming bowls. My primary plan is to utilize them for serving the array of appetizers during our lively cocktail hour. Their ideal size makes them perfect for individual portions of dips, nuts, or small bites, allowing guests to easily help themselves without creating clutter on the main serving table. The aesthetic appeal of these bowls also adds a touch of elegance and cohesion to the appetizer spread.
Beyond appetizers, these bowls are incredibly versatile and would also work exceptionally well as individual serving bowls for dinner. They can comfortably accommodate generous portions of classic Thanksgiving side dishes, such as creamy mashed potatoes, savory collard greens, or any other delicious accompaniments. Offering individual serving bowls not only streamlines the buffet line but also ensures that each guest can enjoy a perfectly plated portion of their favorite sides. Their practical size and appealing design make them a valuable addition to any host’s collection, proving that functional items can also be beautiful and contribute to the overall festive ambiance of a holiday meal.
Charming Ceramic Tree
Amidst all the practical preparations for holiday hosting, sometimes you just need to pick up something purely for joy and decoration, and this charming ceramic tree fits the bill perfectly! While my initial thought was to place it in my home office to add a festive touch to my workspace, I’ve since had a change of heart. Given that I plan to take a well-deserved break from extensive work during the holiday season, its original placement seems less fitting. Instead, I’m now contemplating giving it a rather unexpected, yet delightful, new home: my gym!
The idea of having a festive little tree to gaze upon while I work out brings a smile to my face. It’s a whimsical way to infuse a bit of holiday spirit into an otherwise functional space. Even in the midst of exercise, a glance at this charming ceramic tree could serve as a gentle reminder of the festive season and the joy it brings. It’s a small detail, but these personal touches are what make a home truly special during the holidays. This tree represents the lighter side of holiday shopping – finding those little treasures that unexpectedly bring a touch of cheer to everyday spaces and activities.
And there you have it – my complete Costco holiday haul, designed to make Thanksgiving and the entire festive season as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. From essential appetizers and delicious breakfast items to charming decorative touches, these finds are set to create a truly memorable celebration. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
The holiday season, while joyful, can also be a challenging time for many. If you find yourself without formal plans or feeling overwhelmed, please remember to prioritize self-care. Take some dedicated time out to pamper yourself and recharge. Indulge in activities that bring you genuine relaxation and comfort. This could be anything from savoring a truly amazing meal, perhaps a favorite comfort food, to drawing a luxurious, hot Epsom salt bath that melts away tension. Escape into the pages of a captivating book, letting your mind wander to different worlds. While these suggestions might sound cliché, they are incredibly effective and genuinely contribute to your well-being. Focusing on personal peace and enjoyment during this time is just as important as celebrating with others. Wishing you all a season filled with warmth, happiness, and moments of serene self-care.