The 4th of July is a few weeks away, and if you’re hosting, even if it’s just a laid-back cookout this year, now is the time to make your Costco run. Between the food, the drinks, the paper goods, the games, and the backyard setup, the costs add up fast. But Costco has a way of making it all feel incredibly manageable. Here’s everything worth grabbing before the shelves become empty.
6. Gatorade Thirst Quencher Liberty Variety Pack
This item was practically made for the holiday. The Gatorade Thirst Quencher Liberty Variety Pack comes with eight bottles each of Glacier Cherry and Cool Blue, plus 12 bottles of Fruit Punch. That’s 68 cents per bottle and one of the best deals yet. Red, white, and blue in a bottle. It’s perfect for keeping the adults and kids hydrated when it’s 90 degrees outside, and the grill has been running for three hours.
5. Kansas City Steak Co. USDA Choice Combo Pack
If you’re going all out on the grill this year, this is your move. The combo pack includes strip, ribeye, and filet mignon cuts, so there’s something for every preference at the table. One Costco reviewer called them buttery and easy to cut through. For a 4th of July cookout where you want to actually impress people, this beats anything you’re going to find at a regular grocery store.
4. Kirkland Signature Snack Mix
The Kirkland Signature assortment includes cracker-coated almonds in a savory barbecue flavor. The Costco essential snack mix is great for setting out before the main food is ready. Every cookout needs a snack situation for when people arrive, and the grill is still warming up. This is the easiest way to handle that without putting in any real effort.
3. Skittles Gummies Variety Pack
The Skittles Gummies Variety Pack is a new June arrival hitting the Costco shelves now. It’s a crowd-pleaser for the kids’ table and honestly, for adults too. Bulk candy at a Costco price means you’re not rationing it. Throw it in a bowl, and it’s guaranteed to be empty by the end of the night.
2. Portable Air Conditioner
Not a food item, but an absolute Costco essential. Costco currently has the Hisense 6000 BTU portable unit for $279.99, which is perfect for cooling down a room after everyone comes in from the heat. If your house doesn’t have central air or you have a hot spare room where guests end up, this is a smart summer investment that goes well beyond the 4th of July.
1. Bluetooth Speakers and Coolers
One of the best finds and smartest purchases for the summer holiday includes Bluetooth speakers and coolers. Two things that make an outdoor party dramatically better. A good Bluetooth speaker carries sound across the backyard without anyone hovering next to it, and a quality cooler means your drinks actually stay cold all day. Both are worth the Costco bulk investment.