Hitting up Trader Joe's on any occasion is joyful (who doesn't love a good bargain on groceries?), but during the holiday season, it's important to note just how good its offerings are. The prices, the fine foods, the plant selection [1], the beauty products [2] — a gift basket filled with Trader Joe's [3] sounds like a dream come true! Whether it's for kiddos or adults (or even yourself), the store always stocks its aisles with enticing holiday goods, so the real question is: why shop anywhere else this holiday season when you can go to Trader Joe's? See our favourite seasonal items that should be hitting shelves any day now, ahead.
Trader Joe's 10-Inch Wreath Centrepiece
You can't go wrong with a wreath! Any item that smells like the holidays is an item that should be gifted for the holidays, and this winter greenery is a decorative gift that will be popular. And at 10 inches, it's cute to boot.
Trader Joe's Real Mistletoe
Adorably packaged mistletoe? Yes, please. A flirtatiously cute gift loaded with tradition and meaning . . . who says you can't give love for cheap?
Trader Joe's Mini Succulents
The cutest little succulents that ever were make a great gift for almost anyone. These little guys look perfect at home on a desk, windowsill, shelf, and well, anywhere really. We're a big fan of the succulent trio, because succulents need buddies, too.
Trader Joe's Holiday Zygocactus
The bright red wrapping on this extra-festive celebratory cactus just screams "holiday!" And when you hand it over, the empty space in your hand will likely be filled with an equally as festive holiday cocktail as a thank you, so there's that.
Trader Joe's Grump Tree
Charlie Brown and The Grinch vibes all in one make this a top holiday gift contender. A pint-size cypress with a single droopy ornament is a fun gift that can be turned into a year-round plant sans ornament. Seems like a holiday win here.
Trader Joe's Frosty Fern
Because nostalgia. This li'l fern brings us back to the days of watching Frosty the Snowman on loop with hot cocoa in hand. Plants are always a good idea, especially ones inspired by our favourite childhood holiday movies.
Trader Joe's Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Stirring Spoon
Speaking of hot cocoa, these cocoa-ready spoons are the stocking stuffer or party favours we wish we had thought of! Also, let's take a moment to appreciate the double chocolate feature. Like we said, TJ's just gets us.
Trader Joe's Decorate Your Own Tree
For your crafty recipients out there, this decorate-your-own real miniature tree is creative gifting on point. Great for kids (or adults who like to channel their inner child), this delightful seedling comes with embellishments to decorate a mini masterpiece.
Trader Joe's Mediterranean Olive Oils
An olive oil trifecta is an easy favourite because who doesn't love the Mediterranean? Visit the culinary side of Italy, Greece, and Spain via this boxed set of extra virgin olive oils that'll pair well with most anything.
Trader Joe's Fruit Fancies
You had us at the name. The holidays are for getting a little fancy, and these fruit fancies are the ideal accessory to any party table. Adorn a plain old block of cheese with some of these bad boys, and bam: classiness achieved. See? You fancy.
Trader Joe's Advent Calendar
For cheap, you can snatch up one of TJ's cheerfully decorated chocolate-filled advent calendars for a classic Christmas countdown. A chocolate a day is the best way to keep track, obviously.
Trader Joe's Gingerbread House Kit
Activate nostalgia again. Even the packageing is fun (no surprise there) in a roof-shaped box filled with a favourite childhood activity that could easily be turned into an adult activity with some mulled wine. Just throwin' that out there!
Trader Joe's Brandy Beans
These are some magic beans all right. TJ's combines two amazing things — alcohol and chocolate — in bean nugget form for after-dinner-treat-popping enjoyment. Best get two boxes.
Trader Joe's Nuts and Fruits and Honey Jar
Pretty and tasty. This nuts and fruits and honey jar is SO pretty in fact, that it'll be a little heartbreaking to crack into it. But when you do, your taste buds will rejoice in a holiday dance thanks to peanuts, dried figs, almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, currants, walnuts, coconut, sesame seeds, and honey and bee pollen. Yeah, seriously. Yum.
Trader Joe's Rainbow of Honey
Trader Joe's really is a magical land, complete with rainbows . . . of honey. Yup, you can score an eye-pleasing assortment of flavoured honey for the holidays. Now if we can just get some unicorns in stock, we'd be all set.
Trader Joe's Holiday Pastas
The candy cane-striped gargannelli is a true work of art that can be appreciated for just a couple dollars. And its pasta cousin, the winter snowflake, can turn your purchase into the perfect pasta pair. Buon appetito!
Trader Joe's Holiday Popcorn Tin
How perfect is this popcorn tin for all your holiday movie-watching needs? The holidays are for gathering, and so is this giant popcorn tin. For that, we are grateful.
Trader Joe's Chocolate Passport
You can't go wrong with a classic. With its solid design, this box of goodness doesn't even need to be wrapped. Around the world in chocolate? Um, definitely. You don't need to be a world traveller to appreciate this one.
Trader Joe's Sour Cranberry Ale
Cheer in a bottle? You'll be a hit when gifting this holiday beverage. Since it's a limited edition we can't guarantee it will be back in stock, but we'll see!
Trader Joe's Spirited Fruit Spreads
Spirited, indeed. These fruit spreads with a kick will jazz up your holiday toast this season. They pair perfectly with mimosas — just sayin'!
Trader Joe's Sedimentary Cookie Mix
Trader Joe's understands that putting anything in a mason jar is a good idea. This epic cookie mix is no exception, and neither is the clever name. Props, T-Joe.
Trader Joe's Macaron Soap
You'll do a double take with this one . . . is it dessert or is it soap? With three pastel-coloured flavours, you can get your French fix with lavender honey, mint, and raspberry suds. A parfait gift for the spa-lovers in your life.
Trader Joe's Ultra Moisturising Hand Cream
Stocking stuffer alert! For those of us who endure a chilly winter, it's also dry-hand season, making this moisturising trio a useful and thoughtful holiday gift.
Trader Joe's White Pine Hand Soap and Lotion
A crisp duo is waiting to adorn bathroom or kitchen sinks for the holiday season. A gift that will be appreciated by anyone and everyone hosting a party this winter. Bye, germs, bye.
Trader Joe's Gingerbread Scented Candle
This gingerbread candle is a holiday favourite, and comes in a lovely tin to boot. Perfect for a stocking stuffer, grab bag, or even a treat-yo-self present, this one is a crowd-pleaser.
Trader Joe's Olive Wood Bowls
These adorable lil' bowls are so attractive, you're going to want a whole stack. They come in two shapes: classic round and a boat shape. So a million of each, yeah?
Trader Joe's Mystery Pack of Reusable Bags
Everyone loves a little air of mystery, right? This mystery pack contains a trio of reusable bags from all over the country. You may not know what you're gonna get, but you know it's gonna be good. Help the environment one Trader Joe's mystery pack at a time.
Trader Joe's Jingle Jangle
A TJ's classic, that jinglin' and janglin' tin of cheery smorgasbord snack goodness is a holiday staple. These are a fan favourite for a reason, so do yourself a favour and stock up once you see them.
Trader Joe's Chocolate Covered Pretzel Twist Assortment
These delectable pretzel twists combine sweet and salty for one epic treat. We're definitely on the nice list, so we deserve multiple boxes.
Trader Joe's Chocolate Ornaments
Because the tree shouldn't have all the fun, deck your mouth with these generously sized chocolate ornaments. Need we say more?
Trader Joe's Belgian Truffle Ballotin Box
Top notch chocolates that are pre-wrapped? Um, done. For under $4, you can give a deliciously elegant holiday gift. Plus, Belgians do chocolate like no other, so you know these are legit.
Trader Joe's Chocolate Bar Quintet
Adorably packaged, this choco-bar quintet is proof that things are sweeter in fives. This one is especially versatile since you can either dole them out as five individual tiny giftlets (if you will) or give the whole damn thing to someone you really like.
Trader Joe's Peppermint Cremes
'Tis the season for all things peppermint! These candy cane-esque treats are so poppable you might as well grab more than one box when you see them. Hell, grab 10.
Trader Joe's Peppermint Bark
If you don't have peppermint bark on hand at all times, is it even the holiday season? Sling a tin under your arm and march into that holiday gathering like the peppermint boss that you are.
Trader Joe's Boozy Little Truffles
You had us at "boozy." This elegant-looking box of boozy chocolates is a holiday dream, basically.
Trader Joe's Winter Chocolate Reindeer and Sled Kit
For less than $2, you've got a treat and an activity all in one with this chocolate reindeer and sled kit. The only issue we see is eating most of the scene before building it, but that's a sweet, sweet risk we're willing to take.
Trader Joe's Exfoliating Body Scrub Trio
Three flavours of scrumptious-smelling salt scrubs means you can't go wrong when giving this trio. Brown sugar, citrus, and green tea scents are all rolled up into a neat little package for holiday giving.
Trader Joe's Body Butter Trio
Because after you exfoliate, you hydrate. It's true that this body butter trio is the ideal accompaniment to the body scrub trio, but it shines bright as a stand-alone gift, too. Made up of coconut oil, shea butter, and aloe vera, the moisture will likely go all winter long.
Trader Joe's Triple Ginger Brew
TJ's calls this a "seasonal favourite," and who are we to argue? This nonalcoholic holiday refreshment comes in vintage holiday bottles with an extra ginger kick. Mix and match with other ingredients to create fun holiday beverages or drink a glass on its own. Either way, delicious.
Trader Joe's Poinsettias
When in doubt, give a poinsettia, as it's the brilliant holiday plant we all know and love. The plant and flower selection at Trader Joe's is impressive with an actual poinsettia family of four (perfect for holiday gift-giving in a pinch). There's one for every occasion . . . small to large.