Every year, the same pattern shows up in holiday shopping: grocery prices start off reasonable in early December… then climb fast as Christmas week approaches. It’s not your imagination. Retailers know demand skyrockets, shipping gets tight, and fresh inventory becomes harder to move. By the time December 22 or 23 hits, many holiday staples cost noticeably more—and customers have fewer options left on the shelves. The good news is simple: If you stock up a little earlier, you avoid the price surge and get everything you actually want. Here are the categories that almost always jump in price—and the ones worth grabbing now.