Seven weeks to Christmas……… and counting!
More and more shops are beginning to look festive and lots of them have their Christmas gift ranges coming in. I’m not buying yet, just looking but on the food side, I definitely think you should begin to stock up. I’m convinced prices are going to go up before December, and they certainly won’t be coming down.
Buying now
Now is probably a good time to buy a few extras along with this month’s shopping, such as a few tins of fruit (always handy for puddings and cooking), pasta, rice and long life milk and fresh cream. I always used to buy meat earlier and put it in the freezer but quite honestly these days, with power outages, I’m not sure I will.
If you see lovely Christmas crackers and serviettes, buy those now too. Often we wait when we’ve seen them and when we go back to buy them they have sold out.
Try and buy just a few extras in the next few weeks, it will help in December and your Christmas bonus, if you are lucky enough to get one, won’t go on basic items.
Mac’s Wholesalers
Buy Christmas gift wrap now too and Christmas cards if you see them. Once again I can recommend Mac’s Wholesalers (1 Planet Avenue, Crown Ext 7, Johannesburg) for these items. I went last week and bought some gorgeous cards at a quarter of the price of the normal card shops. They also sell books for children and adults and lots, lots more. Really worth a visit!
Chinese Market
Another shop to visit is the Chinese Market in Glenanda Village Shopping Centre, in Vorster Avenue, Glenanda. Some great buys for Christmas including ribbon, gift bags and wrapping paper, serviettes and lots more. Something for everyone and even pets are catered for.
New on the block
The Mediterranean Merchant, also in Glenanda Village Shopping Centre, by the entrance to the gym, sells cheeses, Greek yoghurts, packaged cold meats, pestos, biltong, tins of beans (red, white, black and chickpeas) as well as biscuits and bread. Owned by victor Rainho, the shop is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 8.30pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm and Sunday 9am to 12pm. Phone 082 544 2003 for more information.
Healthier options
Checkers is making healthier alternatives to everyday products more accessible and affordable with the launch of Simple Truth, its new private label wellness range. All Simple Truth products adhere to three promises, no artificial colours or flavours, no artificial sweeteners and no added MSG.
The extensive range includes convenience meals, breakfast staples (including oats, muesli and rusks), snacks (biscuits, dried fruit rolls and seed crackers), pantry essentials (apple cider vinegar, peanut butter, raw honey and vegan noodles) as well as household cleaning products. Among these are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, raw, organic, reduced sugar, high protein as well as eco-friendly options.
Simple Truth’s unique packaging includes a prominent green circle which makes it easy to find in stores, plus each product’s unique benefits are clearly communicated on the front of the pack.
That’s it for this week. Shop till you drop!
Julie
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