Holiday Shopping: Then and Now in Myrtle Beach!
Ah, Myrtle Beach! Once again, the festive season is upon us, and if you’re like many, a cozy movie marathon featuring holiday classics is on your agenda. Who can forget the hilariously chaotic yet heartwarming charm of “Home Alone”? It’s a timeless favorite, where young Kevin McCallister not only fends for himself against pesky intruders but also pulls off an astounding solo grocery run! But have you ever wondered how much that memorable shopping spree would cost today?
A Nostalgic Trip Down Aisle 1990
In the movie, Kevin’s grocery haul totaled an astonishing just $19.83. Can you believe it? That amount snagged him essential holiday treats and necessities, like Kraft mac and cheese, Tropicana orange juice, and even toilet paper. Fast forward to 2024, and it’s a whole different ball game, folks!
Let’s Compare Prices!
We ventured out to a few popular grocery chains in Myrtle Beach to see how the prices stack up against Kevin’s memorable shopping list. Keep in mind, some items from 1990 seem to have vanished from store shelves, and we had to make a few modern-day substitutions. But fear not! We tried our best to keep it comparable!
Walmart: Value Meets Variety
First stop: Walmart. Known for its competitive pricing, here’s what we found:
- Kraft mac and cheese (4 cups): $4.92
- Stouffer’s roast turkey meal: $3.48
- Tropicana orange juice (46 oz): $3.96
- Great Value milk (half gallon): $1.88
- Scott toilet paper (4-pack): $2.99
- Tide liquid laundry detergent: $5.44
- Snuggle dryer sheets (40 count): $1.97
- Plastic wrap (200 sq. ft): $1.97
- Wonder Bread (20 oz loaf): $2.92
Total: $27.56
Food Lion: A Local Favorite
Next, we sauntered into Food Lion:
- Kraft mac and cheese (4 cups): $5.49
- Stouffer’s roast turkey meal: $3.59
- Tropicana orange juice (46 oz): $3.79
- Food Lion milk (half gallon): $2.09
- Scott toilet paper (4-pack): $5.49
- Tide liquid laundry detergent: $6.99
- Snuggle dryer sheets (40 count): $2.89
- Plastic wrap (200 sq. ft): $2.49
- Wonder Bread (20 oz loaf): $3.69
Total: $36.51
Target: Chic Shopping
Lastly, our adventure took us to Target, known for everything trendy:
- Kraft mac and cheese (4 cups): $4.99
- Stouffer’s roast turkey meal: $3.59
- Tropicana orange juice (46 oz): $3.89
- Good and Gather milk (half gallon): $1.89
- Scott toilet paper (4-pack): $4.99
- Tide liquid laundry detergent: $7.49
- Snuggle dryer sheets (120 count): $5.19
- Plastic wrap (200 sq. ft): $1.99
- Wonder Bread (20 oz loaf): $3.04
Total: $37.06
Would Kevin Make the Same Trip Today?
Drum roll, please! Across all three stores, the total for Kevin’s haul in 2024 ranged from $27.56 at Walmart to a whopping $37.06 at Target. It’s safe to say a friendly twenty-dollar bill wouldn’t go very far now, even if Kevin decided to ditch those green army men toys!
So, as you cozy up to your TV with your loved ones this holiday season, you can add a sprinkle of nostalgia by revisiting “Home Alone,” all while knowing that today’s grocery prices might just make you think twice before stepping into the store!
