The "Shopping with LDub" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just got a call from my niece Kelly asking what to bring for Thanksgiving.  I reminded her that we will celebrate on Saturday instead of Thursday as usual and told her that she can bring a vegetable and that her dad told me he was bringing creamed cauliflower and rice pudding.  We talked some about the families and told her I'd be in touch with the time as soon as Carol had decided when she wanted to have it.  We celebrate on Saturday, since my daughter's in-laws always come to her house on Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Actually it gives us an extra few days to prepare for the near 20 people who will open the door and have a great meal at the Beach House.  In a few days I will begin to pick up some of the food that will be needed to make the meal to celebrate one of my favorite holidays.  Got a coupon for a free turkey at the grocery store where I shop, but will need an extra turkey for the large group.  Carol always makes the list for me and when I shop for Thanksgiving I always buy some items for the Christmas dinner as well, since we seem to have almost as many for that holiday.  Over the years I have learned what items usually go on sale this time of the year, but saw a story about it in an article that I read online.  Listed the 10 items that usually are cheaper for the approaching holidays.  They are:

1. Butter - price is usually about $4 for 4 quarters of either regular or salted butter but seems to drip to about half that price for the holidays.  Why?  I have no idea, but I never complain.  I buy extra and stick it in the freezer.
2. Sugar - this item usually drops a dollar or two depending on the size of box or bag that you buy.  Brown and powdered sugar usually have the biggest drop and sometimes limit you to a certain amount.  In that case, since I live across the street from the grocery store, I go back several times if I need the extra.  With Carol baking so many varieties of cookies for Christmas we tend to use quite a bit of this item.
3. Crackers - why this item seems to drop in price I could never figure out except for the fact that many people like to celebrate and nothing beats cheese and crackers for an impromptu party.  Sometimes you can get a box of snack crackers or saltines for a buck.
4. Frozen Veggies - many times I have coupons for frozen vegetables so this is an item that seems to always be cheap if you use the coupons.  And, if your store gives double coupons you can get a box or bag of vegetables for 50 cents.
5. Bacon - why this is on the list I read I can't figure out.  Do people actually use more bacon curing the holidays?  I checked out the price yesterday at the store and was shocked at the price.  Some brands were $5-$7 for a pound of bacon.  Then I remembered that because of the extremely dry summer the price was going to be higher.  
6. Oil - I just bought two bottles of EV olive oil at Costco last week and got a great price, but it is usually a great price at Costco.  Yesterday I got a big bottle of canola oil, but we don't use an excess of oil for the holidays.  I guess if you deep-fried your turkey you may use a bunch and would be glad for the cheap price.
7.  Poultry and Pork - often wonder how you can buy a huge turkey for $20 at Thanksgiving, but when you want one during the summer it is another half times that amount.  Guess because there are so many turkeys raised for this time of year that they can offer a better price.  Now, as far as pork goes, I sure hope that doesn't cost an arm and a leg when I go for a piece to celebrate the New Year with pork and sauerkraut.  The article I read said it will be cheaper this time of the year.  No where in the article did mention ham which is what we usually celebrate with at Christmas.  
8. Supplies - you know, like the aluminum trays that you make your turkey in and if you're not careful can drop on the floor when you take them out of the oven.  I bought one yesterday and got a second one free.  Brought them home and put them with the other three I forgot i had from the past few years.  And, the reusable containers were on sale, 2 for 1.  Use a lot of them to divi out the leftovers when everyone goes home.
9. Cake Mixes - I never knew this was an item that was on sale this time of year.  Guess because my lively wife makes all her own cakes and doesn't use the boxed variety.  Thanks dear!
10. Canned goods - if you can wait, you can get cranberry sauce for half-price, but over the past few years I found you better not wait for the cans of pure pumpkin to go on sale or you won't get any.  Seems to have been a shortage over the last several years so whenever I see it on the shelf I buy a can or two.  After yesterday I have 9 cans; 6 regular and 3 of the real big ones.  Better get baking dear.

OK, there are the items that allegedly are on sale this time of year.  But, don't wait and try and blame it on me if you can't get something.  Hey, have a Happy Holiday season.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.