Hosting Thanksgiving on a Budget: a Discount Shopping Guide

Thanksgiving is one of the most expensive meals of the year to host. Between the pantry staples, the drinks, the disposable plates and the cleanup afterward, the bill adds up fast before you have even thought about the turkey. If you live in Orange County or the Inland Empire, there is a simple way to take a lot of pressure off that budget: do part of your Thanksgiving shopping at a discount store that sells brand-name surplus and closeout goods.

This guide walks through what to buy where, how to plan your trips, and how to use Costless Wholesale’s three stores in Orange, La Habra and Corona to stretch your holiday budget further.

Why a closeout store works so well for Thanksgiving

Costless Wholesale has been selling surplus, overstock, discontinued items and retailer returns since 2016. Because we buy inventory that other stores need to clear, prices are up to 70% off retail, and there is no membership fee to get in the door. That model fits holiday hosting well, because most of what a big dinner needs is not the centerpiece dish but everything around it:

• Pantry items: snacks, baking basics, sauces, sides and desserts
• Drinks for a crowd: water, sodas, juices and coffee
• Kitchenware: serving dishes, storage containers, utensils and baking pans
• Paper goods and disposables for easier cleanup
• Cleaning supplies for before and after the party

Buying these at a discount frees up money for the fresh items you will pick up at your usual grocery store closer to the day.

Step 1: Split your list into “now” and “later”

The smartest way to save is to separate your list by shelf life. Start your shopping in early November with everything that keeps:

• Buy now: snacks for guests, canned and boxed sides, baking ingredients, drinks, paper plates, napkins, foil, trash bags, dish soap and surface cleaners.
• Buy later: fresh produce, dairy, bread and the main dish, ideally during the week of Thanksgiving.

Shopping the “now” list early also means you are not competing with the last-minute holiday rush, and you have time to come back if something you wanted was not on the shelf the first time.

Step 2: Stock the pantry and the snack table

Guests tend to arrive hungry, and a snack table keeps everyone happy while the oven does its work. Our food section carries a rotating mix of brand-name snacks, sweets, pantry staples and specialty items. Because our stock comes from overstock and closeouts, you can often find premium or name-brand products for a fraction of what they cost elsewhere.

A few tips for the food aisles:

• Check “best by” dates and plan to use items before then, which is easy for a holiday you are shopping for weeks ahead.
• Pick up a few extra snacks and treats to send home with guests or to use for leftovers night.
• Keep in mind that food items are final sale, so buy what you know you will use.

Step 3: Plan drinks for the whole group

Drinks are one of the easiest places to overspend, because you need a lot of them and they are bulky. Browse our drinks section for water, sodas, juices and coffee, and buy in quantity while you see a good price. Since quantities are limited and items change every week, it is worth grabbing what you need when you find it rather than waiting.

Step 4: Refresh your kitchen and serving gear

Hosting a bigger group often reveals what your kitchen is missing: one more baking dish, a serving platter, enough storage containers for leftovers. Our kitchen section is a good place to fill those gaps without paying full retail. Kitchenware is also an area where retailer returns and discontinued lines show up regularly, so you may find a brand you already like at a much lower price.

Step 5: Make cleanup cheaper and easier

The day after Thanksgiving is all about cleanup. Before the big day, stock up on trash bags, dish soap, sponges, paper towels and surface cleaners from our cleaning supplies and sundries section. These are everyday items you will use well beyond the holiday, so buying a few extra at a discount is money well spent.

Step 6: Check the weekly deals before every trip

New merchandise arrives every week, so what is on the shelves changes constantly. Before you head out, look at our weekly deals and the items currently on sale to see what is worth a trip. And because Thanksgiving leads straight into the biggest shopping weekend of the year, keep an eye on our Black Friday deals and start thinking ahead to Christmas deals for gifts and decorations.

Which Costless Wholesale store is closest to you?

All three of our stores are open Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from 9 AM to 7 PM. Inventory differs from store to store, so if you are looking for something specific, it is worth calling ahead.

• Costless Wholesale Orange: 330 S Main St, Orange, CA 92868. Phone (657) 223-9039.
• Costless Wholesale La Habra: 1403 E Lambert Rd Suite C-1, La Habra, CA 90631. Phone (562) 697-3573.
• Costless Wholesale Corona: 371 S Lincoln Ave, Corona, CA 92882. Phone (951) 475-7300.

Good to know before you shop

• No membership is required at any of our stores.
• We accept cash, credit and debit.
• Returns: exchange or store credit within 14 days with a receipt. Food, beauty and sale items are final sale.
• Quantities are limited, so when you see a good deal on something you need, it is best to buy it on the spot.

Thousands of shoppers have rated us 4.7 out of 5 on Google, with more than 2,300 reviews. Give yourself a head start on the holidays this year: shop the long-lasting part of your Thanksgiving list early, keep the savings, and spend the day with your guests instead of worrying about the bill. We look forward to seeing you in Orange, La Habra or Corona.