The key facts

  • October is suitable for buying long-shelf-life products: frozen fish, seafood, caviar, canned goods, nuts and dried fruits.
  • Caviar is rising in price due to reduced fish catches; at -18°C it keeps for up to four months.
  • Chilled meat, poultry, fresh fish and delicacy cheeses are best bought in December.

Early holiday shopping

Planning the festive menu for the New Year should begin as early as October — according to chef and food design expert Alexandra Varakuta, this approach helps save budget and avoid the pre-holiday rush. In an interview with RIAMO, she listed the products that can be purchased in advance.

Frozen goods and caviar

If there is space in the freezer, in October you can buy frozen red fish, squid or shrimp. When purchasing, the expert advises checking the integrity of the factory packaging, expiration dates and the absence of signs of re-freezing. Special attention this year, according to Varakuta, should be paid to caviar, which is quickly rising in price due to reduced fish catches. To save money, it can be bought now and frozen in portions: at temperatures down to -18 degrees, caviar retains its properties for up to four months.

Long shelf life

The list of early purchases also includes pickled vegetables, canned peas and corn, olives, black olives and sun-dried tomatoes. Nuts and dried fruits should be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark place, and best of all — in the refrigerator, so that they do not develop a rancid taste.

What to postpone until December

Perishable products — chilled meat, poultry, fresh fish and delicacy cheeses — are best bought in December so that the dishes on the festive table are as fresh as possible. Varakuta named a well-thought-out menu as the basis of preparation: dishes should be chosen so that the same ingredients combine in different items — this helps use products rationally, avoid excess and optimize expenses. Earlier, Russians were also advised to review last year's expenses before the New Year.