Sometimes you find bargains in unexpected places. Or unexpected items at bargain stores.
I have long shopped at Marshall’s, Ross and Big Lots for clothing, linens and other household items. But those stores can also be good places to find fine foods at bargain prices. The selection varies, but it’s not unusual to find gourmet chocolates, fancy cookies, olive oil, coffee beans, tea and muffin mixes.
Marshall’s and Ross tend to have mostly specialty products, while Big Lots also has quite a few ordinary groceries such as canned fruits and vegetables, pasta and candy. A friend recently found a number of heavily discounted organic foods there.
Some of the packages can look a little worse for wear, but the food itself has not reached its sell-by date (though it always pays to check).
As you know if you read my holiday columns, I don’t believe in giving people “cute” decorative items and other stuff they won’t use. I prefer edible, drinkable, usable gifts such as gourmet treats, wine and fancy toiletries — things people would enjoy but wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves.
Marshall’s, Ross and Big Lots are great sources for such items as well as for decorative baskets, boxes and bags in which to package your gifts.
If you aren’t in the market for gifts at the moment, consider buying yourself some discount coffee or chocolate. You deserve it.
