We’re hosting Christmas this year, and honestly, I can’t decide which one to get Christmas dinner from. The prices for spiral cut ham, pies, whipped cream, eggnog, and side dishes are identical.
I’d choose the closer one with better parking. For us, that’s Costco since it’s a 5 min drive from our home.
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My wife decided to apply for the Sam’s rewards credit card, and wants to put all our transactions on it. Who am I to argue with my wife? Not that I haven’t tried 
. Sam’s is the winner for us, but I am NOT abandoning the Costco hotdog. I will keep Costco, if only for the hotdog. So, I am officially undecided…again.
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Sam’s is our primary. It’s in a handy location for gas and/or shopping (with hot dog lunch now and then).
Yesterday we joined Costco because many of our friends prefer it. Had a deal to get $30 electronic credit IF signed up for auto-renew. We confirmed with clerk that the auto-renew can be cancelled any time AFTER you get the email with credit (2 to 3 weeks).
By sheer coincidence we bumped into somebody who used to have a wine store where we often did Friday night wine tasting about 10 to 12 years ago. She had time on her hands and walked over to the wine area and pointed out some of her favorites and as well as some sale wines we should try. Let’s just say we won’t need to buy wine again for a while.
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I’m jealous. Costco doesn’t sell liquor in stores near us. There may be one store in our state where they do sell it, but I’m not sure of that.
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In our Costco, the alcohol section keeps expanding and has take over the book section and kids clothes. The selection is excellent but of course, they have no one to give you wine advice, unlike boutique stores.
S bought the beverages for his wedding reception there—wine, bottled microbrewery beer, fruit beverages & water. Even with corkage of $10/person it was more reasonable than the alternatives.
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A bit off topic perhaps but I have bought Pierre’s Angus Cheeseburgers at Costco since I joined 20 years ago. They were a big seller. Then about two months ago they were discontinued. A friend is a Sam’s Club member and bought them there too, And Sam’s no longer carries them. Are they no longer made? An internet search gave no answer. They were my favorite quick meal.
I bought some about 2 months ago - will have to see if our store still has them - a great pinch hitter in the summer with some freshly sliced tomatoes lettuce and onion!
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Our Costco is allowed to sell wine but not hard liquor. Supposedly things like spiked eggnog have wine added (now whiskey).
Are you in NJ by any chance? The store in Edison sells liquor. We make a pilgrimage there a few times a year to stock up. We’ll be heading up there Monday to get stocked for the holiday season.
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Thanks, but no. We are in Maryland.
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I can relate.
My very favorite lunch was the Pierre Grilled Chicken Sandwich. I haven’t been able to find them in a very long time…
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In Colorado, any store that has a pharmacy license can sell liquor, but it is ONE store per license and most of the bigger stores share a pharmacy license, so it was the Safeway in Douglas County and the Target in Glendale, etc. Some stores get around it by having a separate entrance to the liquor store. Before they could sell liquor on Sundays, they’d have the liquor aisles roped off on Sundays and during off hours.
I think the Costcos in Englewood and Douglas County have liquor through the separate entrance.
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Those darn alcohol laws in MD. I have several friends who drive to the one in DC for wine (just over the border when driving into DC on Rt. 50). Prob not near you but it’s right on the way for us when we go into DC. We don’t belong to Costco b/c there aren’t any close enough for it to make sense when we have a Sams Club right where we live.
Fortunately Dh and I don’t need to drive to Costco for wine b/c I get it 10% over cost (I work in wine business). And lots of free samples! Just had a nice (free) Sancerre with dinner this evening.
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It sounds like your decision to belong to both Costco and Sam’s Club was influenced by the significant savings on gas prices, with each being conveniently located on your and your partner’s commutes. The closure of the local Sam’s Club and the opening of a Costco station on your partner’s route led to the decision to drop the Sam’s membership. Your choice was practical, considering factors like cost savings, product availability, and the changing local retail landscape.
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Costco definitely comes out to be the winner for holiday dinner shopping. Sam’s seriously needs to step it up.
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Good to know, now that we’ve added Costco membership (in addition to the Sam’s we’ve had for years - quite handy for gas, quick stops)
Headed to Costco tomorrow for turkey (maybe) and to check out other holiday foods. Any favorite items to recommend?
The pumpkin pies are a holiday favorite. The hams are also huge.
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They usually have the big bags of Lindt chocolates on sale this time of year - I get a bag, hide it and use the “balls” to add to Christmas cookie plates, drop in stockings, etc. Sometimes the Ghirardelli squares are on sale too.
Another good cheater item to add to your Christmas “sweets” plate is their peppermint bark - in the baked goods section. ALSO this time of year they have a “fresh baked” cranberry walnut bread yeast bread that is quite good. Easy to freeze and use as wanted.
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