If you're like many consumers, you love the idea of getting a good bargain—and as you probably already know, grocery stores and other food outlets hold lots of seasonal sales on holiday food items. However, if you're just purchasing what you need for the holiday season from these sales, you're missing out on a great opportunity to save money as well as to have food on hand after the holidays are over. Following are just four of the many items typically on sale during the months leading up to the festive season that you can stock up on during sales.

1. Coffee Beans

Coffee beans usually go on sale toward the beginning of the holiday season, but consumers are often reluctant to take advantage of these prices and stock up because they're concerned that the beans may go stale before they're used. However, if you have a home vacuum sealer, you can significantly extend the shelf life of coffee beans by sealing them in canning jars or plastic bags. 

2. Ham and Turkey

Ham and turkey make great dinners during all times of the year, so consider buying a few frozen ones to stash in your freezer. Both of these items will last for at least a year if frozen properly. These items also commonly go on sale around Easter as well, which gives you a chance to stock up again for the summer months. 

3. Butter

Most people don't know this, but butter can be kept in the freezer for up to four months. You must be sure to freeze it before the "use by" date on the outside of the package and use it within 30 days of taking it out of the freezer. Freezing butter requires no special packaging—you can just place it in the freezer in the packaging you purchased it in. However, because butter tends to pick up flavors and odors of other foods around it, consider placing each package in a sealable freezer bag.

4. Pecan Halves and Other Nuts

Because nuts are commonly used for baking holiday treats such as pecan pie, you can find good deals during and immediately before the holiday season. Most people don't realize that nuts are extremely easy to store for long periods of time. All you need to do to keep your pecan halves fresh is to store them in airtight containers in your freezer or refrigerator. When you're ready to use them, simply remove them and allow them to reach room temperature. For storing pecans in the freezer, use a sealable freezer bag. In the refrigerator, use a jar with a lid with an airtight seal. 

To learn more, contact companies like Selman Nut Co.