It’s a hard call which is my more favorite month to shop at Trader Joe’s – October, the height of my fall favorites, or December, when the holiday items are in stock in full force. Let’s call it a tie. There are SO many Trader Joe’s holiday items that I can’t possibly cover them all. If you aren’t already a listener, I highly recommend checking out the (Inside) Trader Joe’s podcast for more tips and recommendations from Trader Joe’s staff directly.
Trader Joe’s Holiday Items: Mint Chocolate Magic
Dark Chocolate Minty Marshmallows
Moist, springy marshmallows with a hint of mint, doused in dark chocolate- what’s not to love about that? Pop in hot chocolate – or directly in your mouth – for a not-too-heavy treat.
Mini Dark Chocolate Mint Stars
These petite treats have a nice snap to the cookie, with a touch a mint, a coating of dark chocolate and a few sprinkles for good measure. Their small size means you get to eat more in a single serving – also a reason to celebrate.
Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Cremes
A refreshing mint patty, covered in dark chocolate (is there really any other kind of chocolate?) with some crushed candy cane on top for a bit of crunch. A perfect after dinner treat.
Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s
A seasonal minty twist on Trader Joe’s take on the classic chocolate sandwich cookie. A solid choice for remote-learning lunches, especially good with a glass of milk.
Chocolate Covered Peppermint Joe Joe’s
To say these were inhaled is a bit of an understatement. They all but vanished in one sitting. Candy Cane Joe Joe’s are already a favorite in their own right, then they are dunked in chocolate, and topped with crushed candy cane bits. Chocolate mint perfection.
Mini Peppermint Meringues
For something a little lighter (and gluten- and dairy-free), try these crisp, mint meringues. You can pop one or two in your mouth for a quick sweet treat, or you can crush them and layer them with whipped cream for a seasonal twist on an Eton Mess.
Peppermint Mini Marshmallows
Looking for a little something to perk up your hot cocoa? Look no further than these peppermint mini marshmallows. Next up? Swapping them in for regular marshmallows in a favorite cookie recipe.
Peppermint Pretzel Slims
These sweet-meets-salty treats are a balanced bite- great for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Tasty, even though I don’t normally love white chocolate.
Trader Joe’s Holiday Items: More than Mint
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels
Rich caramel covered in dark chocolate with a pinch of sea salt is a year-round favorite. What makes this particular time of year special is that you can get a box of four of these sweet treats with a special slot for a gift card on the front. This is now our go-to gift for Mr. Diggy’s entire therapy team – and one that we know is appreciated!
Scandinavian Tidings Soft and Chewy Gummy Candy
My part-Swedish husband LOVES these Scandinavian-style treats in all their various shapes and flavors. The holiday version is no exception (though he does tend to pick out the red ones!).
Stroopwafel Dutch Caramel Waffle Cookies
After years without a stroopwafel crossing my lips, we encountered them as a single-serve, shelf-stable snack on the only flights we took in 2020. Trader Joe’s lets you bring a small canister of these treats home – no reservation required.
Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Stirring Spoon with Mini Marshmallows
A fun, tasty, single-serve way to make hot chocolate this winter. Just heat up your preferred type of milk until steaming and stir this chocolate-and-marshmallow-coated spoon into your mug. You’re welcome.
Butter Toffee Pretzels
These are like a warm holiday hug – in pretzel form. Irresistible caramelized butter and sugar combined with just enough salt from the pretzel makes these an excellent anytime treat.
Italian Mushroom and Black Truffle Sauce
The aroma of truffles is unmistakable from the moment you open the jar. Stirred into pasta it makes a great change of pace from a marinara or pesto.
Felted Wool Trivet
Last year, the holiday offering was a felted garland. That got a lot of love in our autism family, but it also was destroyed rather quickly. This trivet is useful on the table, and also a fun, durable item to run around the house with (which is a real, yet hard to find, #autismmom consideration!)
Trader Joe’s Holiday Items: Seasonal Sips
Sugar Plum Sparkling Beverage
More tart than sweet, this sparkling non-alcoholic beverage pairs well with food. A “rosé” alternative for your next festive toast.
Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville Napa Valley 2018
The (Inside) Trader Joe’s podcast will let you in on the little not-so-secret that Platinum Reserve labels typically mean you are getting a wine that is valued at 3 times the price you pay. So when I saw a stash of Platinum Reserve cabernet, I snagged one. I split a bottle with a couple of wine-enthusiast friends while sitting 15 apart: thumbs up all around.
Cecilia Beretta’s Cecilia B Vina Spumante Rose
This was the bottle we opened for our tiny, outdoor Thanksgiving meal. I always prefer sparkling wine with food- even more so with a decadent holiday meal. This was a pleasant bubbly- not too sweet, not too dry. I will be grabbing another bottle – or two.
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