Susan Walsh / AP

Vice President Joe Biden samples food while shopping at a Costco in Washington D.C. on Nov. 29.

Susan Walsh / AP

Vice President Joe Biden looks over a selection of books while shopping at a Costco in Washington D.C. on Nov. 29.

Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images

Vice President Joe Biden tries on a watch during a visit to a Costco store on a shopping trip in Washington D.C., on Nov. 29.

Susan Walsh / AP

Vice President Joe Biden checks out after shopping at Costco in Washington D.C. on Nov. 29.

Vice President Joe Biden made an appearance at a Washington D.C. Costco, during its grand opening on Thursday.

 Before getting down to the business of shopping, Biden paused to speak with Costco co-founder and former CEO James Sinegal.

"Thank you so much for being here," Sinegal told him.

"Are you kidding me?" an affable Biden responded. We go to your store between Stanton and Newark in Delaware... all the time." Continue reading the NBCWashington.com article.

Biden went shopping for presents and to highlight the importance of renewing middle-class tax cuts so families and businesses have more certainty at this critical time for our economy. 

Slideshow: A look at Biden

A glimpse over the years at U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del.

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I think one of the most difficult things to do when you’re in a debate must be to keep your reactions in check while you’re not talking. Vice President Joe Biden was very animated Thursday night. I wonder if sometimes he isn't mindful that he is always on camera during a debate, or maybe it's just part of his technique.

NBC's David Gregory and Tom Brokaw discussed Biden's reactions in their post-debate commentary. See the video below.

NBC News

NBC News’ Michael O’Brien also reported on Biden’s debate reactions

The vice president threw up his arms, laughed, scoffed and rolled his eyes in reaction to Ryan’s attacks – a seemingly visceral reaction to what Biden frequently called “malarkey” offered up by the House Budget Committee chairman.

Biden’s response to Ryan’s proposals to reform Medicare into a “premium support” or voucher system was a typical refrain for the vice president: “Folks, use your common sense: who do you trust on this?”

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Stacy Bengs / AP

Vice President Joe Biden reaches out to hold four-month-old Simon Hamill after Biden's campaign event Sept. 13, at the Zorn Arena on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus.

Jim Young / Reuters

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney reacts as he is presented with cake from a member of the media who celebrated her birthday on the campaign plane on the way to Long Island, N.Y., on Sept. 13.

Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

President Obama is obscured by the podium as he speaks at a rally in Golden, Colo., Sept. 13.

Jim Young / Reuters

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney holds a crying baby as he greets supporters at a campaign rally in Fairfax, Va., on Sept. 13.

Related content:

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• Obama gets post-convention lift in Florida pizza parlor
• Biden cozies up to voters in Ohio

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Carolyn Kaster / AP

Vice President Joe Biden talks to customers during a stop at Cruisers Diner, Sept. 9, in Seaman, Ohio. This photo was taken after the rest of the press pool was escorted out of the room.

"I say to the press, 'Fact check me,'" the vice president declared before launching into a lengthy critique of the Republican plan for Medicare overhaul.

"What they're proposing will actually cost the Medicare trust fund that pays for the benefits when you go to the hospital, the doctor, to run out of money, a sufficient amount of money by 2016," he said. "That's when it would hit the wall."

-- Reported by NBC's Carrie Dann

Read the full story.