Hey everyone, Summer here.

So it's New Year's Eve day, and let me guess—you either just decided tohost something tonight, or you volunteered to bring snacks and drinks tosomeone else's party, or you completely forgot that you said you'd provide foodand beverages and now you're panicking because stores close early tonight.

Don't worry. I've got you.

We're doing a lightning-round guide to getting snacks and drinks fortonight's New Year's Eve party—where to find last-minute deals, what toactually buy, and how to look like you planned this all along when reallyyou're shopping at 2 PM on December 31st.

Let's make this happen.

First question: where are you actually going to find decent snacks anddrinks on New Year's Eve afternoon when half the stores are already picked overor closing early?

Here's your game plan:

Grocery Stores - Your Best Bet

Major grocery chains are your friend right now. Kroger, Publix, HarrisTeeter, Food Lion, wherever you normally shop—they're open, they're stocked,and they know people are panic-shopping for tonight.

Here's the secret: grocery stores WANT to clear holiday inventory beforeJanuary 1st. That means clearance sections are your goldmine right now. Checkthe seasonal aisle, the bakery clearance rack, the deli section for marked-downparty trays.