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Trader Joe’s

When you think of holiday gifts, Trader Joe’s might not immediately come to mind. However, the affordable retailer’s selection of international delicacies, sinful sweets, and home goods makes for excellent last-minute stocking stuffers. 

Fans of the store shared some of their favorite Trader Joe’s holiday gifts on Reddit just in time for the holidays.

Danish Almond Kringle

Trader Joe's Danish Kringle
Cheapism

Price: $9.99

Trader Joe’s is the only retailer that sells these sweet Danish confections nationwide, with locations selling a variety of tantalizing flavors. Because a kringle isn’t an everyday pastry — something that you can find at your local cafe — they make fun gifts for sweet tooths.

Olive Wood Cutting Board

Trader Joe's Olive Wood Spoon and Cutting Board
eBay

Price: $29.99

It’s rare to see kitchen supplies at Trader Joe’s, but when they do arrive in the fall, fans snatch them up. Among one of the most popular seasonal kitchen items is the olive wood cutting and serving board, which returned to stores in October. After receiving the cutting board as a gift, one fan says that they “love” it. And at $29.99, it won’t break the bank.

Moisturizing Lip Balm Set

Three sticks of homemade lip balm, isolated on white. Natural organic eco cosmetics.
Mara Fribus/istockphoto

Price: $5.99

This cheap variety pack of chapstick is a perfect stocking stuffer, one Redditor says, adding that they divide the set to stretch the further.

Candles

Trader Joe's candles
Amazon

Price: $9.99

Trader Joe’s has a surprising offering of candles, from advent calendar sets to holiday-themed scents. Fans endorse the entire lineup — “All the candles!” one commenter writes — though the advent calendar, taper, holiday, and variety pack candles received shoutouts.

Do-It-Yourself Trader Joe’s Gift Bags

5. Do-It-Yourself Trader Joe’s Gift Bags
Poshmark

Price: varies

If you want to get creative, make your own gift bag full of Trader Joe’s goodies using one of the store’s reusable totes. The idea comes from a Redditor who gives their kids a stuffed bag every year. “I get things I know they’ll enjoy but wouldn’t normally add to their own grocery cart,” they write. The best part? You won’t have to wrap anything.

Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans

Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Espresso Beans
Amazon

Price: $4.99

Another go-to stocking stuffer: Trader Joe’s chocolate espresso beans, which accommodate a variety of diets, as they’re dairy- and nut-free.

Plants

Reston, USA - December 18, 2017: Trader Joe's employee in red clothes with customer, trolley shopping carts by store entrance doors outside women, winter flower pots, gardening plants in Virginia
krblokhin/istockphoto

Price: varies

Trader Joe’s has made a name for itself online thanks to its fresh and affordable plants, which dominate on TikTok. While they make great decorations for your own apartment, they’re also excellent gifts. One Redditor says they buy Trader Joe’s plants year-round for office presents.

Oregon Growers Marionberry Jam

Oregon Growers Marionberry Jam Jar
Trader Joe’s

Price: varies

Not every Trader Joe’s store carries this farm-fresh, Oregon-grown jam. But if you do catch a jar of this jar of preserves at your store, buy them for the foodies in your life.

Bar Soap

Trader Joe's Ginger Bar Soap
Trader Joe’s

Price: $3.99

Although the selection changes from year to year, Trader Joe’s often impresses with its inventive soaps, which have included almond-ginger and camel milk-based bars. Another stocking stuffer that manages to be both premium and affordable.

Honey Hydration Day and Night Cream Duo

Honey Hydration Cream Trader Joe's
Trader Joe’s

Price: $7.99

Looking for a tried and true option? A Redditor who gifted this limited item — a pack of night and day face cream — said the “recipient really liked” the duo. Reviewers love it too, with one YouTuber commending the creams for how moisturizing they are.

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A beautiful multiracial young adult woman in the kitchen, looking at the meal she had prepared with satisfaction, representing healthy lifestyle, wide angle image
Marko Jan/istockphoto

Meet the Writer

Maxwell is a California-based writer who got his start in print journalism, a career that satisfies his love of research. That penchant for learning also fuels his desire to be a discerning consumer — whether he’s looking for his next pair of headphones or rock-climbing shoes. When he’s not hunched over his laptop, you can find Maxwell sending routes at the crag, playing Magic: The Gathering, or hanging out with his buddies at the bar. As a UCSC alumnus, he’s also a proud banana slug. You can reach him at [email protected].