The perfect Costco shopping list for big families this winter

Buying in bulk is a reality for larger families who want to save both time and money. Finding a store that is a one-stop shopping experience while boasting high caliber items with incredible savings is the ultimate holy grail of retail. For many families, that place is Costco. 

Costco’s unique hidden gems, low food court prices (like the $1.50 hot dog that hasn’t changed price since the 1980s), and high-quality Kirkland brand products are just a few of the reasons this large retail chain incites extreme loyalty from its members. Oh, and the samples. Can’t forget the samples! 

Walking into the Costco warehouse can invoke feelings of excitement for the seasoned shopper and overwhelm for those meandering along the rows and rows of aisles without a list. Each Costco shopping trip is unique because of the company’s commitment to selling local delicacies and switching out seasonal favorites. Committing to a few staple items is key to a successful trip. Then shoppers can get creative with the extras they find during their Costco treasure hunt. Just brace yourself for the final bill at checkout and plan a good 30 minutes to unload and unpack.

Here’s a shopping list of big family Costco staples to get you started this winter. 

Family essentials

• Gasoline – don’t leave the property without a full tank! Gas at Costco often runs 20-30 cents cheaper than average. 
• Kodiak Cakes power cakes flapjack and waffle mix – 72 ounces of protein packed, easy to whip up pancakes or waffles. They can be modified into muffins, too.
• Kirkland Signature organic pure maple syrup – To add to those Kodiak Cakes. This is the good stuff, without corn syrup fillers. If you want to get fancy, try the bourbon-barrel aged varieties.
• One Degree organic sprouted rolled oats or Kirkland rolled oats – Both are delicious, generously portioned, single-ingredient staples for your pantry. 
• Kirkland Signature organic Greek yogurt – Add a granola (you have plenty of choices at Costco) and Kirkland signature 100% U.S. raw unfiltered honey and you’ve got yourself a healthy breakfast.
• Frozen fruits and vegetables – Anything you can imagine in generously sized portions. 
• Kirkland Signature grass-fed butter – Once you taste this, you won’t be able to put anything else on your bread. The only debate should be between Irish or from New Zealand.
• Kirkland Signature fresh boneless & skinless chicken breast – Incredible quality and conveniently sold in pouches with 2-3 chicken breasts per package. 
• Perfect Bar organic protein bar – Ideal for those quick bite to eat moments. 
• Nestlé Toll House, semi-sweet chocolate chip morsels – Chocolate chips are going to be pricey anywhere you shop. These are high quality and come in a very large and resealable bag for convenient storage. 

Last-minute dinner staples

• Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken – Infamous for losing the store money due to its affordable price, this is a great purchase for a quick and easy dinner. 
• Kirkland Signature meatballs – Pop these in the oven, cook some pasta, and add your favorite marinara sauce for a delicious Italian feast. 
• Frozen cauliflower crust pizza – These are a movie night staple in our house. Kirkland’s Supreme version is amazing, too.

Hosting favorites

• Biergarten brewer’s collection – Look for this in November if you’re planning to host a party with beer aficionados. Great deal for the amount and caliber of German beer that comes in the collection. 
• Wine – Kirkland Signature has great quality wine for an incredibly reasonable price. Great to stock up for hostess gifts and cozy evenings around the fire. 
• Tipiak French macaroons – Elevate any gathering, baby shower, or kid’s tea party with these scrumptious treats.
• Charcuterie board staples – Find your favorite charcuterie sampler back and add a few cheeses for a spread worthy of all your winter hosting needs. 
• Sparkling water – So many varieties; Waterloo is the winner in our house, but Spindrift takes a close second. 

Household items

• Kirkland Signature parchment paper – What feels like the never-ending roll of parchment paper – 162 feet for all your non-stick baking needs. 
• Medicine – From SmartyPants organic gummies for kids to Kirkland Signature Aller-tec (their Zyrtec spinoff), Costco is ready to help you through all the winter sniffles.  
• Greenmade storage bins – Nifty for keeping all the snow bibs, hats, and runaway mittens in one place. Also, incredibly convenient to store all your grocery items while shopping and unloading from the car. 
• Diapers and wipes – Costco carries Huggies and their own Kirkland Signature brand of diapers and wipes. Be on the lookout for savings; they run great deals throughout the year so you can stock-up and also get a box for the local pregnancy center. 

Things you didn’t know you needed, but it’s Costco so you put it in your cart

• Liquid I.V. sugar-free hydration multiplier – Ideal as a healthier option to Gatorade on long road trips or for sick days. These come in powder packs so they’re easy to bring along in your purse, and you get to choose the water to powder ratio that’s just right for you. 
• Kirkland Signature merino wool socks – Keep everyone’s feet toasty this winter. 
• Swedish dishcloths – The dishcloths come in a pack of 12 and are washable and very durable. Great cleaning tool for the eager to help child. 
• Bavarian jumbo pretzel – If you spot this gem, add it to the cart, usually around Oktoberfest season. The pack comes with two very large and very delicious pretzels. 
• Gift cards – Treat yourself to a $100 gift card to your favorite restaurant for $75. You do the math. It’s basically free money. 

Every family is going to have a different Costco shopping list depending on their taste, size, and family rhythms. What matters is finding the staples and hidden treasures that work for you so that your trip to Costco is free of stress and full of samples. Happy shopping!