Good thought, Amelia! I generally have enough containers but green grass should work well for Christmas!
Grocery list for Christmas 2024
- Thread starter sweetpumkinpye
- Start date
Is there any candy/chocolate that can be bought now that is suitable for Halloween?
Spent some time over the weekend sorting through what I need to buy and adding it to my shopping list on the fridge. I think there are still 19 fortnightly shops between now and Christmas but I have at least one or two items on each of the pages.
Need to add items for our annual motor racing party. Not sure about arrangements for our annual family dinner as yet.
Need to add items for our annual motor racing party. Not sure about arrangements for our annual family dinner as yet.
I will look into that. I wonder if the bad year will affect Australian prices as well.
Apparently vanilla prices are going up too. 
If you have any Hispanic grocery stores in your area, check there. I've found their vanilla to be of good quality and far cheaper than that found in my own grocery stores. My parents used to winter in Mission, TX and would frequently cross into Mexico and bring it back; I made that trek with them several times when visiting. More recently, we have another "connection" -- DSis#3 has a nurse-friend who has family in Hidalgo, TX (parents migrated from TX in the late 1950s or early 1960s, she is first-generation American, but still has family across the border) and whenever she goes home to visit, she'll bring vanilla back for my DSis (who includes me in her "order"). Last time, her friend brought back several quart bottles of vanilla, since she wasn't sure when she'd get back home and she knew Christmas baking time was coming up. That'll last me the rest of my life!!!! I also had a friend from high school who traveled to Reynosa, Mexico several times a year to visit one of their manufacturing plants located there. He'd regularly text me to see if I needed any vanilla, tequila, or other spices brought back. I can't tell you the last time I bought vanilla in my own grocery store.Apparently vanilla prices are going up too.
I think a little pre planning is needed here. I will need vanilla for Christmas so will add it to my list for next shop. I have learned over the last few years that it is better to have it then wait and miss out or have to pay a huge amount.Apparently vanilla prices are going up too.
Thanks for the headsup.
I think there is still a Hispanic store in Ellet. I’ll check the next time I go out that way. I still have a 16oz bottle of King Arthur vanilla unopened. So I’m still in decent shape right now. My cousin gave me vanilla from somewhere, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t from Mexico, that I didn’t care for. But I’m always willing to experiment. You never know until you try something.
I have been making my own vanilla extract for a while now. I have a batch "brewing" now but I think I will pick up more vanilla beans the next time amazon has a good deal on them to get a 2nd batch going.
I have seen posts about people making their own vanilla but have never looked into it. Maybe something to investigate.
It's very easy... all you need is a jar, a paring knife, vanilla beans (I used madagascar grade a or b) and a bottle of cheap vodka and about 3 to 6 months for it to brew.
I’ve thought about it and I should try it. I have everything but the beans lol
Thanks for sharing that information. If it takes up to 6 months I better move fairly quickly so I can start by June.
Amazon Australia has 10 beans for $15.75. Is this a price that would seem reasonable for these? I have never bought beans before so not sure of the cost.
The cheapest Vodka I can find is $10.00 for 50mls
News from the supermarket today is that indeed the price of chocolate and chocolate goods will rise significantly. I have added cocoa powder to my list to buy next week.
I have just looked thorough my to buy list and have added what I might need to the shopping list for this week. I will freeze what I buy.