1. Birthday Cakes with Family
Celebrating another trip around the sun is one of the most universal rituals out there—and Costco knows it. Their half-sheet birthday cakes have reached legendary status, feeding 40 people for under $25. People even request specific designs, from rainbow sprinkles to jungle animals, and swear by the classic chocolate mousse filling. The bakery requires 24-hour notice, but the process is so streamlined it’s almost ritualistic itself.
These cakes have become fixtures at school parties, office celebrations, and milestone birthdays. And though they’re mass-produced, they hold a surprising amount of emotional weight. It’s the gathering around the cake, the off-key singing, and the blowing out of candles that people remember—not where the cake came from.
2. Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving is about family, gratitude, and the same four side dishes you eat every single year. But behind that illusion of homemade warmth? A growing number of families are turning to Costco for turkey, mashed potatoes, pies, and even pre-made stuffing. In 2023, Costco sold over a million whole turkeys in the month leading up to Thanksgiving.
You could call it outsourcing tradition—but the feelings around the table remain the same. No one’s measuring your mashed potato authenticity as long as the gravy’s hot and the stories are flowing. And let’s face it: no one’s sad about a pumpkin pie that didn’t require three hours and a rolling pin.
3. Hosting Sunday Football Watch Parties
For millions, football isn’t just a sport—it’s a weekly ritual that brings friends and family together. Whether you’re screaming at the screen or just in it for the wings, game day has become a cornerstone of American bonding. Costco leans into this by offering massive snack trays, beer variety packs, and even branded team gear during NFL season. Tailgate-style buffets are practically pre-assembled in the frozen food section.
Sure, the emotional high of your team winning is priceless. But the jalapeño poppers, nacho kits, and hot dog packs? You probably grabbed them alongside a 36-roll pack of toilet paper. And somehow, that doesn’t make the party feel any less special.
4. Lighting Scented Candles for Self-Care Sundays
Self-care Sundays have become a sacred ritual for many Americans, complete with bubble baths, meditation playlists, and yes—scented candles. Lighting a candle is more than ambiance; it’s symbolic of slowing down and making space for mental peace. But you don’t have to hit up a boutique store for luxury scents when Costco sells multi-packs from brands like Yankee Candle and Chesapeake Bay. They often come in bulk sets of 4 or more, making it easy to assign a different scent to each week of the month.
The irony? Something deeply personal—like curating your perfect scent for a weekly unwind—can come straight from a warehouse shelf. That doesn’t make it any less meaningful, but it does show how ritual and convenience collide. And let’s be honest, that jumbo candle will probably outlast your next three therapists.
5. Date Night In with Steak Dinners
Candlelit steak dinners aren’t just for anniversaries anymore—they’ve become a go-to way for couples to slow down midweek. Instead of hitting a fancy restaurant, many are buying Costco’s USDA Prime cuts and creating restaurant-style meals at home. Their beef tenderloin and ribeye packs often rival high-end butchers in both quality and size. Add in a bottle of Kirkland Signature wine, and you’ve got a $120 date night for under $40.
The ritual of cooking together and setting the table makes it feel intentional. Even if the meat came in a vacuum-sealed pack and the wine has a generic label, the experience feels elevated. Sometimes meaning comes not from the origin of the ingredients—but from what you do with them.
6. Family Movie Night
Once a simple Blockbuster run and microwave popcorn combo, family movie night has evolved—but it’s still a deeply cherished ritual. Costco now sells bulk-size boxes of popcorn, candy assortments, and even big-screen TVs for those going all in. With streaming services at your fingertips and a Kirkland throw blanket, the living room turns into a mini theater. It’s affordable, accessible, and just as cozy as it ever was.
Even the movie selection process—negotiating between Marvel and Moana—has its own ritualistic flavor. You press play, pass the snacks, and forget for 90 minutes that the world exists. The magic isn’t in the screen—it’s in the shared experience. And okay, maybe in the 1-pound bag of Sour Patch Kids too.
7. Back-to-School Shopping
The start of the school year brings out a unique mix of anxiety, excitement, and organization energy. Parents across the country have turned this into a highly orchestrated ritual, often anchored by one big trip to Costco. From lunchbox snacks to new backpacks and even laptops, the warehouse becomes a one-stop shop. Kirkland granola bars and 30-packs of juice boxes practically scream “school’s back.”
And while it’s undeniably commercial, the act of preparing for a new chapter gives it emotional heft. There’s something comforting about rituals that mark the passage of time—especially ones that come with peanut butter pretzels. It’s less about the aisle, more about the anticipation. And maybe just a little about getting those mechanical pencils in bulk.
8. Holiday Decorating Parties
Trimming the tree or lighting the menorah feels a little more festive when it’s a group effort. Families often kick off the season with hot cocoa, matching pajamas, and hours of decorating. Costco stocks 9-foot pre-lit trees, 72-piece ornament sets, and enough wrapping paper to last a decade. Their holiday aisles are practically a tradition in themselves, opening as early as September.
So yes, the tinsel may be mass-produced—but the ritual is anything but. Unwrapping old ornaments, sharing stories, and arguing over the tree topper all contribute to the emotional core. And if Costco helped you afford it all without a seasonal meltdown? Even better.
9. Weekly Meal Prepping
Meal prep Sunday has become a key wellness ritual for many—especially those balancing busy workweeks with health goals. Costco’s bulk packages of chicken breast, quinoa, and frozen veggies are meal-prep gold. You’ll often find influencers online doing their entire week’s prep using Kirkland Signature staples. It’s a Sunday afternoon of chopping, portioning, and stacking neatly labeled containers.
But beyond the logistics, meal prepping can feel almost meditative. It sets the tone for the week, making space for discipline and self-care. The act of nourishing yourself—however convenient—carries meaning. Even if it started with a flatbed cart and a Costco haul.
10. Neighborhood BBQs
Nothing says summer like the smell of burgers on the grill and kids running through sprinklers. Neighborhood cookouts are a classic American ritual—and Costco practically powers them. Think: 4-pound burger patty packs, 24-count buns, and those giant trays of potato salad. You can even get disposable plates and folding chairs in the same trip.
It’s the kind of event where the food might be forgettable—but the community connection isn’t. People bring lawn chairs, laughter, and long-standing traditions to life. And while the bratwurst may be bulk-bought, the memories are homegrown. That’s a trade most people are happy to make.
11. Graduation Parties
Graduations are major milestones—and with them come balloon arches, sheet cakes, and giant meat and cheese platters. Costco checks every box with party trays, paper goods, and even floral arrangements. Parents often rely on it to feed 50 guests without draining college savings before freshman year starts. You can even get a congratulatory banner printed in the photo center.
What makes it meaningful isn’t the catering—it’s the reason behind the celebration. That sense of pride, accomplishment, and anticipation can’t be shrink-wrapped. Still, it’s pretty handy that Costco’s rotisserie chicken salad comes in a 3-pound tub. Practicality doesn’t cancel out significance—it supports it.
12. New Year’s Eve Toasts
Ringing in the new year is as symbolic as it gets: hope, renewal, and usually, Champagne. Costco sells bottles of French Champagne and Prosecco at unbeatable prices—sometimes even under $20. You can also grab party hats, noise-makers, and enough frozen hors d’oeuvres to feed a Gatsby-sized guest list. It’s basically one-stop prepping for your midnight ritual.
Even the simple act of counting down and clinking glasses feels steeped in tradition. Whether you’re in sequins or sweatpants, the ritual stays powerful. And yes, that Kirkland bubbly is technically “mass market”—but it still delivers a pop worth celebrating. Meaning doesn’t need a sommelier’s approval to matter.
This post 12 Rituals Americans Say Are Meaningful—but Can Be Bought in Bulk at Costco was first published on American Charm.
