Why Does Grandma Love Costco Again?
There are some places that just do something to people.
And somehow, Costco is one of them.
Maybe it’s the oversized carts. Maybe it’s the samples. Maybe it’s the absolute chaos of trying to leave with “just one thing” and somehow ending up with a kayak, 48 granola bars, and a 3-pack of olive oil.
But for a lot of people, Costco isn’t just errands.
It’s an outing.
You can always spot the people fully enjoying the experience too. The ones slowly walking every aisle like it’s a museum exhibit. The people getting genuinely excited over seasonal snacks. The grandparents proudly insisting on buying enough fruit to feed a small village.
And honestly? It’s kind of great.
Because somewhere along the way, a lot of adults stop allowing themselves to experience ordinary things with curiosity. Everything becomes rushed. Efficient. Functional.
Get in. Get out. Check the list.
Meanwhile, some people are still fully taking in the experience.
The free samples are an event. The bakery section deserves discussion. The giant Christmas decorations are worth stopping for every single year.
And there’s something weirdly refreshing about that.
A lot of familiar places hold more meaning than we realize. The grocery store someone has gone to for years. The same coffee shop order. The garden centre in spring. The walking route someone always takes through their neighbourhood.
Those places can create comfort, confidence, routine, familiarity, even excitement.
Not because they’re extraordinary, but because they’re familiar.
There’s also something really nice about letting people enjoy things without rushing them through it.
Not every outing needs to be optimized. Not every pause needs:
“Come on, let’s go.”
Sometimes someone wants to look around a little longer. Try the sample twice. Tell you about the last time they bought that exact cereal.
And maybe those moments matter more than we think they do.
It’s easy to focus so much on efficiency that we forget how meaningful simple experiences can still feel:
- walking through a favourite store
- recognizing familiar faces
- sticking to routines that feel grounding
- laughing over sample cups at noon on a Tuesday
Life doesn’t suddenly stop being made up of small moments just because someone is getting older.
If anything, those moments often become even more important.
And honestly, Costco might be one of the last places where people of every generation are equally excited about free snacks and oversized muffins.
There’s something kind of beautiful about that too.
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P.S.> No endorsement of Costco intended... if Costco isn't your thing, feel free to apply this to any other outing or experience that gives you joy :)
