Sharing my tried ‘n true favorites from the Trader Joe’s Holiday Guide 2023 and the new items I’m excited to add to my cart!
My happy place – TJ’s – really gets into the spirit of the holidays and pulls out all the stops. I popped into my local Trader Joe’s on Capitol Hill yesterday to pick up some of my favorite seasonal items. My favorite TJ’s cashier Michelle told me their holiday items have been flying off the shelves this year so if you see something you like, get it now before it’s gone.
I don’t need visits by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future to tell me to stock up on candy cane chocolate flavored almonds! Think of this post as your guide to the Holiday Guide. I’m sharing my favorite products that are back in stock to bring holiday joy and whimsy into your home and what new items I’m really excited to try this year. Let’s make like a nutcracker and crack into it!
Trader Joe’s Holiday Guide 2023
Wreath:
If you’re looking to add some holiday cheer to your ol’ front door, TJ’s wreaths for $12 cannot be beat! I love how their wreaths come with pinecones to add a festive flair and it’s so easy to dress it up further with ribbons and bows.
Cookie Mug Hangers:
I was SO excited to see these cookie mug hangers were back this year! Beyond being so cute and bringing a smile to my face, the gingerbread cookie mug hangers are just the perfect excuse to have a little sweet treat for breakfast.
Gingerbread Ice Cream:
Ginger-spiced ice cream plus bits of gingerbread cookies and a sweet gingerbread swirl = one of my favorite seasonal ice creams of the year.
Egg Nog:
Quite the decisive holiday debate – are you pro-egg nog or anti? I’m personally a big fan of egg nog and its rich flavors, whether it’s on its own to sip while you open Christmas presents from under the tree or with a splash of rum to close out the holiday season with a night cap.
12 Days of Beauty:
TJ’s 12 Days of Beauty is something I look forward to all year round. Some of my favorite beauty products have come from these mini treats. This year, I can’t wait to try out their lavender bath salts, brazil nut hair mask, and yuzu bath fizzer. I’ll be generous and share the neroli bamboo scented shave cream with James.
Candy Cane Chocolate Flavored Almonds:
Do you crave a little sweet treat in the afternoon? I do and during the holiday season, a handful of these candy cane chocolate flavored almonds fit the bill perfectly. They also would be cute to add to a candy-cuterie board!
Non-Dairy Cinnamon Bun Oat Creamer:
I love how cinnamon buns are having their moment in the sun at TJ’s this year. I’m normally not a big oat milk fan because the oat flavor takes over. But the cinnamon bun oat creamer tastes delicious in my morning chai latte, highly recommend you pick this up for your morning caffeine of choice.
Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls:
My family has a long tradition of cinnamon roll breakfasts for big days like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Or, you know, a chilly morning where you wake up to a winter wonderland of snow. TJ’s jumbo rolls fill the kitchen with the wonderfully sweet aroma of cinnamon and I love all the memories it brings up.
Comically Large Bottles of Sparkling Wine:
I was initially really skeptical of how good these sparkling wines would be. Magnums of crisp sparkling wine for $15 seems too good to be true, right? I bought them on a whim to bring to a party as a joke but the joke was on me, these wines really hold up!
Winter Wassail Punch:
If you are looking to get into the holiday spirit without getting into spirits, TJ’s winter wassail punch should be in your cart. It’s a flavorful blend of black currant, apple, cherry, and lemon juices; with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, and orange peel. Winter wassail punch smells delicious and having it warming over your stove will fill your home with the best aroma to greet yuletide guests.
Scalloped Cracker Trio:
The trio in this box is rosemary, red chili, and garlic crackers. This offers great variety to easily build a charcuterie board and keep everyone happy.
Cedar Balsam Candle:
Full disclosure, I’ve got a cedar balsam candle burning right now as I write this post. We don’t have the space in our apartment for our own Christmas tree so this candle helps bring the scent of the season into our home. You’re going to want to stock up on this candle to keep you feeling cozy all winter long.
Holiday Vegetable Hash:
One of my favorite side dishes for this season features TJ’s Holiday Vegetable Hash. It’s a finely diced and chopped combination of butternut squash, sweet potato, red onion, celery, and fresh herbs, including parsley, sage, and rosemary. After heating up EVOO in a skillet, sauté the Holiday Vegetable Hash until soft. Add into cooked quinoa and season to taste with TJ’s Everything But the Leftovers seasoning blend. It’s so simple, so flavorful and is a great alternative to stuffing.
Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s:
Do yourself a favor and just toss a box of candy cane joe-joe’s into your cart. The peppermint creme sandwiched between two chocolate cookies is a classic for a reason!
New Items I’m Excited To Try
Double Chocolate Croissants:
Do not sleep on Trader Joe’s frozen croissants! This isn’t a last-minute breakfast decision because you do need to take them out of the freezer and let them proof overnight on the counter. Pro tip: it is absolutely worth it to take the extra step of brushing egg wash on the croissants before you pop them into the oven in order to get a golden, shiny finish. I haven’t tried their double chocolate croissants yet but based on TJ’s chocolate and almond croissant offerings, I feel good about this.
Peppermint Flavored Baking Chips:
I want to bake sugar cookies just so I can add these peppermint flavored baking chips into them! Or melt the baking chips for a festive rim decor for a holiday martini.
Chocolate Croissant Scented Candle:
Sometimes, you just want your home to smell like a bakery in a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Cinnamon Bun Inspired Pancake and Waffle Mix:
Again, I am very enthusiastic about the cinnamon bun highlight this season. These sound like a match made in Christmas breakfast heaven! Just add cute matching pajamas.
Trader Joe’s and the Astounding Multi-Flavor Joe-Joe’s:
I love joe-joe’s so covering them with chocolate and drizzle is a no-brainer!
Pretzel Bread Pudding:
TJ’s Pretzel Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce sounds like a deliciously cozy dessert to tuck in to during the winter. Just listen to this description: soft, salty, pretzel pieces, baked in a traditional egg custard. Sign me up!
Vegan Gingerbread Loaf:
While I was in Tennessee with James’ family for Thanksgiving, his mom picked up doughnuts for breakfast and included a cake-like gingerbread doughnut that I’m still thinking about. I’d love to warm up the vegan gingerbread loaf and drizzle on a cream cheese icing for a sweet weekend breakfast.
Something Spritzy:
This is Trader Joe’s response to the mocktail trend. Something Spritzy combines grapefruit, cranberry, and orange juices with herbal aromatic bitters and a splash of bubbles. Unlike other canned mocktails, Something Spritzy is only $1.99 per can.
