Easy Pre-Party Shopping

Your party is this weekend and you still have to buy all the food.  Save yourself extra stress at the grocery store by organizing your shopping list.  It may take a few extra minutes initially, but it's worth it in the end. 

Try organizing your list by categories, such as "Pantry", "Dairy", "Meat/Poultry/Fish", "Freezer", "Deli", and "Produce".   I always start my shopping with the pantry items first, which usually are in the middle of the store.  These items generally can handle being in the bottom of the cart and aren't going to melt or spoil while I'm doing the rest of my shopping.  I then make a loop around the edge of the grocery store where I find the rest of the items.  I end with the produce so as to avoid bruises on the delicate items.  My grocery store has the frozen section near the produce so I make a quick detour to the freezer section before the produce finale.

Taking a few extra minutes in the peacefulness of my own home saves me much headache and extra time at the grocery store.  I also find that I don't forget or overlook any item on my list.  I find that I have much more energy and time to focus on the other party planning necessities (of which I enjoy more than food shopping!).