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Foodies are notorious for having picky palates, so you may be intimidated when it comes to gifting. While Costco isn’t necessarily what comes to mind when you think “gourmet,” the warehouse brand actually has a variety of products that could fit the bill for a discerning giftee. Here are a few potential gifts on sale right now.
1. Japanese Wagyu Center Cut New York Strip Steaks
Japanese A5 Wagyu is some of the most expensive beef in the world. This listing includes four 12-ounce New York Strip cut streaks for a total of three pounds of beef imported straight from the Kagoshima prefecture in Japan. Any foodie I know (myself included) would be overjoyed to try this rare treat.
Sale Price: $379.99
Sale ends: Dec. 17, 2023
Comparable deals: This is the best price I found on pre-cut steaks. But if your giftee doesn’t mind (or even prefers) cutting their own steaks, crowdcow.com is currently offering a 3.25-pound Japanese A5 Wagyu New York Strip Roast for $363.18 with a free shipping offer.
2. Vitamix Immersion Blender 5-piece Set
This is one of those kitchen tools you find a million uses for once it’s in your kitchen. This five-piece set not only includes Vitamix’s popular immersion blender, but also whisk and chopper attachments, as well as a blending jar and storage case.
Sale Price: $174.99
Sale ends: Dec. 24, 2023
Comparable deals: I didn’t find a better deal on this particular bundle. In fact, Vitamix has a four-piece bundle (this set minus the storage case) for $239.95. If you don’t need the accessories, however, you can save a pretty penny on just the immersion blender, which I found on Amazon.com for $119.95.
3. Plaza Golden Osetra 2 oz Caviar Gift Set
Is there anything more quintessentially ooh-la-la than caviar? This gift set includes everything you need, including a 2-oz vacuum-sealed jar of caviar from Greece, bellini, creme fraiche, a mother of pearl caviar spoon, and a thermal tote.
Sale Price: $129.99
Sale ends: Dec. 17, 2023
Comparable deals: I couldn’t track down a better price on this gift set; the closest was Pacific Plaza’s own website where it was listed for $169. Moreover, I couldn’t find any caviar sets — or just the caviar itself — online for less. Your best bet may be to go to a specialty grocer for just caviar and build your own gift set if you want to try to save money here.
4. Keurig K-Supreme Plus Special Edition Single Serve Coffee Maker
While I’m not a coffee drinker, I have two aficionados in my family, and they love our Keurig Supreme. (Note from a tea drinker: You can get tea pods for this — don’t. Most tea drinkers will not enjoy it.) Worried about the waste? No problem. This set from Costco includes the My K-Cup® Universal Reusable Coffee Filter so you can grind your own coffee and skip the disposable pods.
Sale Price: $99.99
Sale ends: Dec. 25, 2023
Comparable deals: I couldn’t find any better prices on the machine, let alone the machine with these accessories. Indeed, Costco’s regular price on this set ($139.99) is still less than Keurig charges for a K-Supreme Plus, which runs $219 on keurig.com.
5. Mazzetti Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Aged 25 Years
Sweet, tart, and oh-so-tasty, I love a nice balsamic vinegar on everything from asparagus and brussels sprouts to roasted chicken. Like its cousin wine, balsamic vinegar changes as it ages in the barrel, creating a more complex flavor.
Sale Price: $84.99
Sale ends: Dec. 24, 2023
Comparable deals: This is the best price on this brand and age I could find (the Mazzetti website is charging $120). You might find another brand for less money, but read the reviews to make sure you’re getting quality. If you want to stick with the Mazzetti brand but spend a little less, Costco also has the 12-year-old balsamic for about $55.
Piquing the palate without breaking the bank
I’ve looked at a lot of somewhat pricey picks for the discerning foodie on your gift list. But you don’t necessarily need to break the bank to make the gourmet in your life happy. Here are a few tips for saving money on gifts for foodies:
- One delicious taste is better than a plate full of something lesser. If you want to splurge on something fancy, keep it small to stay on budget.
- Many foodies enjoy everyday favorites as much as rare treats. Chat them up to find out their favorites and put together a few of the less-expensive selections for a personalized gift basket.
- Most grocery stores have a selection of locally made artisanal products. These make excellent treats for foodies, especially if they’re from another state or region and haven’t tried these brands before.
- Many specialty and online grocers will code as “groceries” on your rewards credit cards. So, use your grocery rewards card to maximize your cash back or points.
- Gift sets are nice when they’re affordable, but you may be able to knock the price down by shopping for the items individually.
- Foodies love trying new foods. If you’re good at making something different or exotic, that could be a perfect gift for an adventurous foodie.
Folks with a deep interest in anything can be intimidating to shop for, but foodies are easy to please on any budget. If you can’t find something at Costco (shocking, but it happens), hopefully these tips can see you through.
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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Brittney Myers has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.