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It’s that time of the year again: Holiday plans are starting to be put in place; Christmas and Hanukkah lists are being written; and your friendly neighborhood Trader Joe’s store is stocking its shelves with can’t-miss seasonal goodies that are bound to take your holiday entertaining and gifting to the next level.
From Thanksgiving to the new year, meal ideas to giftable gems, and everything in between, our annual Trader Joe’s holiday roundup is here to bring you the much-awaited scoop on all the new holiday arrivals and returning family favorites at our best-loved grocery store.
Chocolate Advent calendars, $1.29
Sweet-treat Advent calendars are a holiday must-have, and there’s a reason these colorful calendars fly off the shelves at Trader Joe’s pretty much as soon as they hit them. Not only is the price pretty much impossible to beat — helpful if you’re stocking up for lots of kiddos — but you can feel good about the high-quality (and tasty) chocolate with no artificial additives. Plus, they’re adorable, with new designs coming out each year. We’re loving the sweet pink treats, nutcracker and cuddly polar bear versions this season!
12 Days of Beauty calendar, $19.99
Why should the kids have all the fun? Grown-ups, teens and tweens who are into pampering will go gaga for this ultra-anticipated annual beauty Advent calendar, which counts down with 12 days of Trader Joe’s cult bath, body and skincare treats. This year, it comes in a gorgeous blue peacock design with a dozen delights to discover, like fireside velvet scented body butter, Beverly Hills face mask and candy cane shimmer body wash. Bonus: All the products are paraben-free and not tested on animals.
Holiday herb garden, $8.99
This fun mini garden has everything you need to add just the right amount of fresh herb flavor to your holiday meals and beyond. With a trio of rosemary, sage and thyme, these potted plants are a great way to bring in a pop of greenery and make your kitchen smell great. Plus, they make a great gardening project for the kiddos: Make them responsible for the watering and snipping! Pop one on your windowsill, or replant outside for year-round herby goodness.
Cheesy creamy greens and veggies, $4.49
Parents know that the fastest way to get kids to eat their veggies is drown them in ungodly amounts of cheese. This convenient new side dish in TJ’s awesome freezer section takes this concept to a whole other level. Spinach, kale and Brussels sprouts — yes, all words that terrify children — go undercover with a disguise of rich, cheesy sauce so creamy the littles might just gobble it up. It’s ready from frozen in eight minutes — great for those busy weekday evenings and festive meals alike.
Organic peeled and cooked chestnuts, $4.99
Everyone knows the classic carol verse of chestnuts roasting over an open fire, but not all have actually tried one. This funky tree fruit can be mysterious when it comes to figuring out how to find, prepare and eat them. Luckily, Trader Joe’s comes to the rescue with this seasonal gem: a pack of organic chestnuts that come already peeled, steamed and ready to eat. If you’ve never had one, they have a starchy texture (reminiscent of baked potato) and a mild earthy flavor. Toss some in your Thanksgiving stuffing or side dish, or let the kids try it as a snack right out of the package.
Chocolatey caramel pretzel drumstick decorating kit, $4.99
We love edible delights that double as an activity to keep kids busy during the “Big Dark”; and these new playful kits sure hit that spot. The concept is simple: Take a pretzel stick and turn it into a sweet “drumstick” with a caramel, chocolate and colorful sprinkle dip — a fun addition to the Thanksgiving dessert table or a playdate treat. Kiddos of all ages can get involved with the dipping and decorating, though melting of the caramels and chocolate will need grown-up supervision.
Teeny tiny apple and pecan pies, $4.99
On the topic of holiday desserts, you can’t get away without pie. And what’s better than one big pie? A bunch of miniature, bite-size pies, of course! The cute mini apple pies that made an appearance last year are joined this season by their delightfully chewy pecan counterparts, for a perfectly sized addition to a dessert board or buffet. Warm them up and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a tiny treat both the littles and the grown-ups will love.
Non-dairy gingerbread oat creamer, $1.99
Sleep-deprived parents, this one is for you: Give all that caffeine that sustains you throughout the day a festive boost with this new gingerbread-flavored oat creamer. Vegan and dairy-free (but tasty enough for the dairy drinkers, too), it adds rich, creamy texture and a spiced, lightly sweetened flavor to coffee or tea with a blend of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and more. The limited edition joins TJ’s already popular oat creamer lineup with brown sugar and seasonal cinnamon bun flavors.
Holiday peanut butter-flavored dog treats, $3.99
Us humans are inundated with tasty treats all through the holidays, and our furry friends deserve some festive feasts too! Get your pup in the “howliday” spirit with these beyond-cute dog biscuit versions of Christmas cookies. Made with peanut butter, flaxseed and veggie extract-colored “icing,” these come in fun decorated gingerbread, snowman, snowflake and bone shapes — just make sure your human kids aren’t tempted to take a bite!
Orange and spice scented candle and room spritz, $5.99
We all know that between pets, cooking and active kid gear (can anyone say teenagers?), it’s tough to keep your home smelling good. Enter this nifty little home scent kit: a scented candle and a bottle of room spray, both with the light scent of orange, cinnamon and clove oils inspired by the old fashioned clove-studded oranges popular during the holiday season. The cozy scent instantly brings on the festive mood, while keeping the funk away; and the box package makes for a great gift addition, too.
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