With Groundhog’s Day come and gone and President’s Day just around the corner, don’t forget about St. Valentine’s Day—this Thursday! Grocery Outlet has everything you need and more to surprise your sweetie—whether it’s Valentine’s Day cards for an elementary class (just $0.99 for a whole pack!) or some Chocolate Calcium Chews as a healthier alternative to boxed chocolate (just $2.99 for 60 chews!)—Grocery Outlet has you covered.

We’ve got: cards, trinkets, sparkling wines (and nonalcoholic cider), flowers, chocolates, wines, perfumes, cosmetics, and candles—everything you’ll need and want to create a very special day with your very special someone.

 

 

 

 

Visit your local store and find an assortment of sure to please sweets from Ghirardelli, Lindt, and Mrs. Fields OR great smelling bath sets from Dove, Axe, and Baylis & Harding (Bath Sets & Fragrances ranging between $2.99-$8.99). There’s something for everyone, I promise!

 

 

Whether it’s pretty soaps for Mom or Grandma, fragrances for a special young man or lady in your life, or even taking advantage of some of our great closeouts on bath sets for yourself—Grocery Outlet will get you more for less.

 

 

If you happen to have some special plans this Valentine’s Day—or perhaps packing for a weekend getaway, let Grocery Outlet help you glam up with our awesome selection of brand named cosmetics! Check out our selections from Revlon, Sally Hansen, L’Oreal, E.L.F, and Rimmel! Your favorite brands in cosmetics ranging from $0.99 to $3.99! Stock up for yourself for gift some as very affordable and very thoughtful Valentine’s Day gifts.

 

Truly, giving is better than receiving. Giving gifts to our friends, family, neighbors, teachers and co-workers is one of our favorite parts of the holiday season. So we're embracing it! And this year, we're all about edible gifts like cookies or hot cocoa to help your loved ones welcome the holiday spirit in a delicious way. They will enjoy the treat, without the clutter of one more thing to store in the closet, kitchen or garage. And with ingredients you can find at your local Grocery Outlet, your budget will rejoice too!

Here are simple recipes for edible holiday gifts, developed by food blogger Amy Sherman at Cooking with Amy.

Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 12 ounce package, semi sweet chocolate chips, about 2 cups
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar

Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Place flour mixture in a 1-quart jar. Layer on the chocolate chips, brown sugar and finally the white sugar on top, pressing firmly after each layer. Seal with lid and decorate with fabric, ribbon and a recipe tag.

Recipe tag to attach to jar:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Beat 1 stick softened butter or margarine and 1 large egg in large mixer bowl until blended. Fold in the contents of the jar with a wooden spoon. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 2 dozen cookies. Enjoy with a glass of milk - and don't forget to save one for Santa!




Hot Cocoa Mix in a Jar
4 packets hot cocoa mix
4 teaspoons chocolate chips
1/4 cup mini marshmallows

Open the packets of cocoa mix and pour them into a tall narrow jar. Top with marshmallows and add a layer of chocolate chips on top.  Seal with lid and decorate with fabric, ribbon and a recipe tag.

Recipe tag to attach to jar:
Combine jar contents with 4 cups of hot water and stir until dissolved. Pour into 4 mugs and sip by the glow of the holiday lights. Enjoy!

 

‘Tis the Season!  Since Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals have come and gone, this time of the year goes from being "The Season of Giving" to "The Season of Over-Spending."  Even though you’ve checked your Holiday Gift List multiple times, it’s easy to lose track of things in your holiday bows and wrapping paper.

Let Grocery Outlet be your one stop shop for holiday gifts!  There are all kinds of wonderful finds for the holidays—at amazing prices!  The Health & Beauty Department has all kinds of gift sets and stocking stuffers that will be sure to WOW on Christmas morning.

 

 

 

 

• Nail Polish
• Hair brushes & Accessories
• Tooth Brushes
• Tooth Paste
• Whitening Kits
• Small bottles of perfume
• Makeup Sets
• Nail Clippers
• Nail Files
• Body Lotions
• Lip Gloss
• Travel Kits

Some great brand names to snatch up and stuff into stockings: Revlon, Sally Hansen, Bert’s Bees, Tim McGraw, Katy Perry, Trim, Marvel, Star Wars, Crest, E.L.F., Adidas, Barbie, Dora the Explorer, Disney, Justice League, Baby Phat, and much more!

Gift Sets From: 

• E.L.F
• Adidas
• Disney
• Trim
• Baylis & Harding
• Assorted Fragrance Sets
• Burt’s Bees
• Crest

Don’t forget, you can also create your own unique gift sets! Grocery Outlet has everything you need—from bags, baskets & boxes—to ribbon, bows, & cards!

No matter how big or small your holiday budget is, Grocery Outlet can help you bring tremendous value to your holiday. Save time shopping—spend time with those you hold near and dear.

Remember gift sets and quantities vary from store to store—but each Grocery Outlet is stocked with extraordinary finds! Enjoy the treasure hunt—we’ve loaded the stores up with all kinds of goodies this year!

It's that time of year. The magical and joyful holiday season, with twinkling lights, festive music and parties galore. It's a time to reconnect with loved ones, and embrace the spirit of giving. And while kids are making their holiday wish lists and hoping to make the “nice list,” grown-ups often become too over-committed and overstressed to enjoy the season. At Grocery Outlet, we hope to inspire our customers, employees and friends to be nice to themselves by keeping the holidays simple.

 

 

We put together this Grown-Up Holiday Wish List to remind folks to keep it simple and enjoy the greatest gift of the season – making holiday memories with family and friends.

A Grown-Up Holiday Wish List

• I wish to embrace the joy of the holiday season
• I wish to not exhaust my energy and financial resources
• I wish to resist the urge to do it all
• I wish to plan ahead to avoid last-minute stress
• I wish to ask for help when I need it. Even Santa has lots of helpers.
• I wish to stick to my holiday budget
• I wish to give gifts from the heart more than the wallet
• I wish to leave room in my schedule to slow down and enjoy the small things
• I wish to slow down and keep it simple

Throughout the season, we will be sharing tips and ideas for a simple holiday. We hope you'll join us and wrap-up 2012 on the “nice list.”

A 12-Month Series by Guest Blogger Julia Wessels, from The Frugal Find
Defined by Wikipedia…

A staycation (or stay-cation, or stacation) is a neologism for a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions. Staycations have achieved high popularity in current hard economic times in which unemployment levels and gas prices are high.

Common activities of a staycation include use of the backyard pool, visits to local parks and museums,  and attendance at local festivals. Some staycationers also like to follow a set of rules, such as setting a start and end date, planning ahead, and avoiding routine, with the goal of creating the feel of a traditional vacation.

Vacationing with any size family can be a budget breaker and for many of us it's simply not possible at all.  With airfare out of the question for a family of 6 and gas prices soaring, you may have to stick close to home. That's why for the past few years our family has taken to the Staycation approach.  We take a few days off of work completely so that we're "on vacation", but instead of going anywhere, we explore our very own town.  We make time to do things that we wouldn't normally do and see.  We eat out, we go to the movies, and we just have fun!  Now those things can add up too, so you want to find frugal ways to save during your Staycation.  

 

Here are a few ideas you'll want to keep in mind this summer:

• You can head to the movies for $2 per ticket (or less!) this summer, head on over here for a full list of participating theaters.
• How about bowling?  Take the kids bowling for FREE, there are 2 different programs running this summer.  The first is called "Kids Bowl Free" and the other is run by AMF Bowling with over 250 participating bowling alleys!
• For dining out and more entertainment ideas, I suggest you stalk daily deals sites such as Living Social, Groupon, and Plum District.

You can go here to see some of the events/outings we've done in the past, but we’re looking for new and fresh ideas this year as we're living in a new state!  Have you done a Staycation before?  Please share your tips, ideas, ways to make it fun, etc., on this Facebook post.  We'd love to hear from you!

Check out the latest from Chris as he strides all over town in his new Aspire Shaper sneakers (only $14.99 at Grocery Outlet!). These shoes use the same technology as Skechers Shape Ups to tone and firm your muscles as you walk. 

Are you ready for the big game on Sunday? We have a bunch of super savings for your game time party!

What resolutions have you been able to keep? Or have you broken them? It's okay! Just leave a comment below to tell us how you're doing.

The holiday season is a wonderful time to bring together families and friends, and celebrate the season with festive traditions, old and new. But it's also easy to get caught up in the holiday spending trap for the sake of making holiday memories. So this year, our Season of Sanity pledge inspired us to consider holiday merriment that won't break your budget. In fact, many of these fun and festive ideas are free!

Light Drive. Surprise your family or friends with a tour of the local holiday light displays. Put on some cozy pajamas, pack some cookies, then start driving. Don't forget the holiday tunes!

 

Seasonal Song. Bring back an old-time tradition with an evening of caroling. Dress in warm and festive attire and surprise your favorite neighbors with carols at their door. It will surely put a smile on their faces. And, you might be invited in for some hot cocoa and conversation!

Give Service. It will only cost you time, but you'll receive much more and lasting memories. Schedule time to visit a local shelter or food bank and lend a helping hand. Include the children to inspire the next generation of do-gooders.

Winter Wonderland.  December 22nd marks the Winter Solstice this year, welcoming longer days of sunlight, and a day many cultures celebrate with winter festivals. Host your own winter wonderland celebration, even without snow outside.  Build a paper snowman, make homemade ice cream and go ice gummy fishing in a bowl of ice!

Chris gets his party on with festive ideas on how to save money on holiday entertaining.  He also previews our latest ad on Bargain TV.

What's your favorite holiday song of all time? Leave us a comment and let us know.

This month is sure to hold holiday gatherings galore! It's the most wonderful time of the year to gather family and friends for a night of holiday merriment. So whether you are hosting or attending the festivities, use these ideas to help you enjoy the holiday party season without sacrificing your savings or your sanity.

Simplify. Your friends and family don't expect a Martha Stewart-style soiree, so don't stress-out about making it elaborate. In fact, a casual and understated event will be a welcome respite from all the craziness of the holidays. But make sure the holiday tunes are plentiful!

Skip the meal. Keep the focus on your friends, not the food. It's a great reason why you don't have to slave away in the kitchen all day to serve a full-on meal. Just two or three appetizers will do. Consider a weekend afternoon gathering with mulled wine, cheese and crackers.

Salud! Add some holiday cheer to your party, but keep it limited to one or two choices, not a full bar. Serve just eggnog or just wine, but not both. Try our Novella Synergy Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon, just $4.99 per bottle (you save $7). And the kid revelers will enjoy toasting with our Martinelli's Northwest Blend Sparkling Apple Cider for just $1.79 per bottle (you save $1.90).

Say Thanks. Certain holiday traditions never go out of style, like arriving at a holiday party with a gift for the gracious host/hostess. We suggest some gourmet chocolates like our Brown & Haley Candy Cane Roca for $2.99 (you save $2), or a festive 4” poinsettia for $4.99 (you save $4).

Surely, you have your own budget-friendly party tips, and we'd love to hear them. How do you entertain during the holidays without blowing the budget?

Happy Holidays from everyone at Grocery Outlet!

 

The holiday season is in full swing! Gift giving is an age-old tradition in the holiday season.  But this year, don't let your holiday budget and your sanity fly to the North Pole.  Consider giving homemade, personalized gift baskets with items you can find at Grocery Outlet for 50% less than traditional stores.  Follow these simple tips for a gifty and thrify holiday:

Gather an assortment of small, inexpensive items with a common theme that the recipient will appreciate.  No need to go overboard, just three or four items will do.  Here are some ideas:

• Chocolate Lovers—chocolate of every kind, don't forget the hot cocoa
• Foodie Friends—gourmet cheeses, crackers, olive oil, nuts and a unique cooking tool
• Wine Enthusiast—red, white and rosé varieties, with fresh grapes, wine glasses and a corkscrew
• Home Spa—beauty care products, bath salts, loofah sponge, cozy socks
• Tea Time—a combination of black and herbal teas, a pretty mug or tea cup and specialty cookies
• Pet Perfect—pet toys, pet treats and a pet dish
• Movie Night—DVDs, microwave popcorn, candy and a blanket

Find a decorative basket or container.  Check your cupboards and storage space, you probably already have something laying around that you can use. Place items in the basket, using tissue paper or old gift wrap to help stabilize the items inside the basket. Finish with festive trimmings, like ribbon, raffia or even old-fashioned tinsel, then add a homemade gift tag.

Your family and friends will be thrilled to receive something you know they'll love.  And your wallet will say thanks, too.  Wishing you a simple holiday season!

Joy?  Peace?  Yeah, right.  It's easy for the holidays to become more stressful than joyful.  It’s time to stop the holiday insanity and get back to the basics.  At Grocery Outlet, we believe it's time to simplify the season.  Cut back on the extra stuff.  Be frugal with your time and money.  Avoid overstressing and overspending and you might actually enjoy the holidays.  Remember these tips to help you stay focused on what’s really important this season.

Tips to Simplify the Season
- Get ready. Inventory your supplies early on. Get wrapping paper, tape, ribbons, stamps, boxes and pantry staples (such as sugar and flour) well in advance of the holidays. You may find discounted items when you’re not rushed.
- Revisit family traditions. Think about holidays past. Which activities were most worth the effort? Focus on what makes you and your family happy and eliminate what doesn’t.
- Don’t over-commit. You don’t need to say “yes” to every invitation. Save room in your schedule for things that might pop up.
- Keep it simple. Don’t overdo the table settings and decorations. Your guests will enjoy themselves just as much even without a complicated, expensive centerpiece.
- Focus on gifts from the heart. Give gifts that show your love—not the size of your wallet. Grandparents will likely value a photo album or a framed piece of children’s art far more than expensive presents.
- Shop strategically. Sometimes the places that save you the most money might surprise you. We have a selection of toys, personal fragrance sets, home products, and other gift items that may fit someone on your list.

Now, take this Simplify the Season Pledge by signing your name in the comments below.  Then embrace the joy!

Football season is well underway and whether you are a football fan or not, chances are that you'll be attending a football party in the coming weeks. Party wings, veggie trays, and quick and easy frozen items are just a few ways to make that party much more enjoyable!

Check out this week's Bargain TV and let Christopher show you just some of the sporty snacks and healthy choices that you can bring to the next football party or weekend sporting event. You'lll save big on big brands at Grocery Outlet Bargain Market.

Leave a comment and let us know which team is your team!

Check out Bargain TV featuring the newest Grocery Outlet store in Silverdale, WA. Ben Saven made a special appearance to celebrate the Grand Opening!

Ever wondered what a store looks like before it's stocked and open for business?  Check out this Bargain TV vlog all about our Sequim, Washington location, slated to open today!

Congratulations on your new store Mitch and Linda!  And if you're in Sequim, visit the store this Saturday for its Grand Opening Celebration!

Travel Time

Need some ideas of how to spend your summer? Start traveling! Summer is a great time to hit the road, however, with gas prices hitting $4 a gallon in some areas, airfares running 15% higher than last year, and hotels hiking their room rates by 7%, you may not be ready to spring for that big summer vacation.

But even if you can't get away, great summer day trips can be fun and memorable, with far less hassle and expense. No matter where you live, there's likely to be a small theme park or festival within two hours of home that will give your family a taste of adventure. Visit this link to find some great places that you and your family can check out.

Check out the Movies

Go out to the movies for the free air conditioning and a couple of hours of entertainment. Stop by Grocery Outlet for microwavable popcorn and stick a popped bag in your purse. We also have all your candy favorites. Here is the list of top 10 list of the movies coming out this summer that we hope don’t disappoint:
1) Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides- May 20th
2) The Hangover Part II- May 26th
3) X-Men: First Class- June 3rd
4) Super 8- June 8th
5) Green Lantern- June 17th
6) Cars 2- June 24th
7) Transformers: Dark of the Moon- July 1st
8) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2- July 15th
9) Captain America: The First Avenger- July 22nd
10) Cowboys & Aliens- July 29th

Which was your favorite? Which are you looking forward to the most?

Have some fun this summer and for the 4th of July with these great items from Grocery Outlet.  Don't forget the sunscreen!  Stay safe this summer.

 

In our 3rd vlog, Chris and his sidekick, June Cleaver, show all the frugal gifts you can get for your mom at Grocery Outlet.

We know how hard our moms work to keep us happy, healthy and well. Let's celebrate them this Mother's Day. Make time to tell your mom how much you appreciate her. Happy Mother's Day!

Also, check out our YouTube Channel for more great videos on all things Grocery Outlet. 

The Academy Awards are upon us and one of our favorite traditions is to host an inexpensive party while we watch the big show.  With a little creativity, you can have a fabulous fete for very little money.

 

 

Party Attire
Let your guests know that dressing up is encouraged.  Break out any appropriate formal wear from the back of your closet. We've found many a retired prom dress or suit at thrift shops.  Cheap tiaras from the party store complete the look.

Decor
A plain white tablecloth will add style to any setting.  Add a red runner down the center for that red carpet feel—if you can't find one, a wide red ribbon will have the same effect.  Write guests' names on gold stars and use them for place cards on the table.  Party stores will also probably stock some cheap Oscars decorations this time of year.

Food
Grocery Outlet has a wide array of party appetizers, snacks, and entrees. Fresh cut veggies and dip are always popular, as are fancy cheese and crackers, or heated appetizers from our frozen section. 

Think about theming your food to the best picture nominees, or choosing your favorite film and making food in keeping with what the characters might eat: barbecue for True Grit, British fare for The King's Speech, or replicate the ballerina cake from Black Swan.

Whatever you choose to do, top it off with a glass of sparkling wine or champagne from Grocery Outlet, and get ready to toast!

Entertainment
Make ballots for celebrity party attire.  Who has the best dress?  Who has the weirdest look?  Who made the best joke?  Who had the best speech?  Worst speech?

Prepare movie trivia for the commercial breaks to keep everyone entertained.  Give away fancy candy as prizes. 

Make up your own awards as the night goes on, and put the names of the winners in fancy envelopes.  At the end of the night, announce who your winners are, and give guests prizes as they leave. 

You're always a winner with us!

Whether you're a Packers or a Steelers fan, try out one of these fun, easy recipes for game time noshing—all of which you can make with ingredients you can find at your local Grocery Outlet store!

Spinach Dip

Ingredients
10 ounces frozen chopped baby spinach
16 ounces sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
8 ounces cream cheese
1 package onion soup mix
1/2 cup green onion, celery and white onion
1 tablespoon garlic, minced

Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients and chill about 1 hour.
2. Serve with your favorite cracker or chip of choice.

 

 

Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients
2 pounds fresh mushrooms, washed and drained
12 sausage patties
1/2 envelope onion soup mix
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried sage

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Remove mushroom stems from caps; chop stems; set aside both caps and chopped stems.
3. Prepare sausage according to package directions; drain and crumble.
4. In a large bowl, combine sausage, chopped mushroom stems, onion soup mix, oil, parsley and sage; mix well.
5. Heap mixture into mushroom caps.
6. Scantly cover the bottom of a shallow baking pan with water.
7. Arrange mushrooms with filling on top.
8. Cover and bake at 350°F for 40 minutes.
9. Remove cover and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Tip: For advance preparation, filled mushroom caps can be frozen.

Enjoy! Who do you think will win?

One of our favorite holiday traditions is the parties!  There's something so magical about gathering with friends and family under the glow of the holiday decorations and the warmth of the holiday spirit; it’s a time to celebrate the people in our lives and the year behind us.

But let's be real.  It costs money to throw a party.  And time.  Both of which are hard-pressed in December, right?  Check out these quick tips to help you play holiday hostess without spending the mostess.

- Keep it simple.  People don't need an elaborate spread to enjoy each others' company.  Stay focused on the real spirit of the season and make your friends and family the main attraction.  But don't skimp on festive holiday tunes!

- Skip the meal.  Time it right and you can get away without serving a full-on meal.  Consider an afternoon gathering with hot cider, cheese and crackers.  You can't beat our President Brie Wedge, 6 oz. for $1.49 (save up to $3.50).

- Use time-saving shortcuts.  Baking holiday desserts from scratch is wonderful if you have the time.  But for those short on time try ready-made options like our Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (made by a top leading brand we aren't allowed to mention), 80 oz. tub for $4.99 (save up to $5).

- Share the burden.  Don't be afraid to do the potluck thing.  It gives your guests a chance to show off their favorite holiday dish while you save a bowl full of money.  Ask folks to bring copies of their recipe to exchange.

- Raise your glasses.  Add some holiday cheer to your party and toast your favorite people.  Try our Archetype Shiraz/Cabernet (Barossa Valley, Australia) 2008, for $2.99 (save up to $11).  It's a full-bodied, delicious wine sure to complement any holiday fare.  

Surely, you have your own budget-friendly party tips, and we'd love to hear them!  How do you entertain during the holidays?

Happy Holideals from everyone at Grocery Outlet!