Grocery Outlet Helps Shoppers Strive for the Perfect "Season of Sanity"

BERKELEY, Calif., Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Have the holidays become more stressful than joyful? Want to simplify the season and actually have the time and energy to enjoy the holidays? It's time to stop the insanity and get back to holiday basics. The experts at Grocery Outlet Bargain Market can help you stay focused on what's really important this season with tips to prevent you from overstressing and overspending. You can save time, money and trouble and still celebrate in style.

TIPS TO SIMPLIFY THE SEASON:

• Get ready. Inventory your supplies early on. Get wrapping paper, tape, ribbons, stamps, boxes and pantry staples (such as sugar and flour) well in advance of the holidays. You may find discounted items when you're not rushed.
• Revisit family traditions. Think about holidays past. Which activities were most worth the effort? Focus on what makes you and your family happy and eliminate what doesn't.
• Don't over-commit. You don't need to say "yes" to every invitation. Save room in your schedule for things that might pop up.
• Keep it simple. Don't overdo the table settings and decorations. Your guests will enjoy themselves just as much even without a complicated, expensive centerpiece.
• Focus on gifts from the heart. Give gifts that show your love—not the size of your wallet. Grandparents will likely value a photo album or a framed piece of children's art far more than expensive presents.
• Shop strategically. Sometimes the places that save you the most money might surprise you. Extreme discount retailer Grocery Outlet, which purchases overstocks and closeouts directly from brand-name manufacturers, also sells body care products, toys, decorations and kitchen supplies—at prices up to half off retail.

After you have pledged to simplify the holiday season by choosing not to over-commit, consider making the most of your holiday meal - for less - with these seven helpful tips. Combine with Grocery Outlet's $3 Holiday Menu and feed a family of six for less than $20!

TIPS TO SIMPLIFY YOUR SHOPPING STRATEGY:

1. Make it potluck. Ask your guests to contribute an appetizer, side or dessert. Ask visiting relatives to make breakfast, so you can focus on the turkey.
2. Plan your menu and stick to your list. You'll save money.
3. Quality over quantity. You don't need seven vegetable sides and six pies. Keep it simple.
4. Prep ahead. Chop, measure and prepare as much as possible before the big holiday meal.
5. Fake it. Not everything needs to be made from scratch. Delicious cookies, desserts and candy can be bought pre-made.
6. Organize your grocery list by department to save time at the store. Shop your own cup- boards first to see what you already have.

For the complete $3 holiday menu, recipes, shopping list and money-saving tips, visit www.groceryoutlet.com/holidays.

About GROCERY OUTLET:

Based in Berkeley, California, Grocery Outlet offers extreme bargains on brand name merchandise, with prices often up to 50% less than conventional retailers. The largest "extreme-value" grocer in the U.S., Grocery Outlet has 155 locations in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon & Washington. Grocery Outlet carries refrigerated and frozen foods, fresh produce, organics, dry groceries, beer and wine, health and beauty care, fresh vitamins, household products, toys and gifts.  A third-generation family-led company founded in 1946, Grocery Outlet's mission has always been to provide customers a fun place to find extreme values on name brands they trust. Most stores are independently owned and operated by locally-based families.  For more information, please visit www.groceryoutlet.com

SOURCE Grocery Outlet