12 Must-Have Holiday Picks Recommended by Trader Joe's Staff

This December, Trader Joe's introduces around 475 new and returning holiday products, but we've narrowed it down to 12 staff-approved favorites. Matt Sloan, the customer relations communications director, and Tara Miller, the vice president of marketing, shared their top picks on a recent episode of the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast. From appetizers to desserts, including gifts, stocking stuffers, and even a special treat for dogs, here are 12 Trader Joe’s holiday products that employees highly recommend.

Blue Cheese Stuffed Chalkidiki Olives

This beloved product is a crowd favorite, featuring Greek olives brimming with a rich, tangy blue cheese filling. Unlike the usual brine, these olives are packed in oil, which enhances their deep, savory taste. Perfect for a martini or a cheese platter, these olives are large and firm with a pleasantly crisp bite. 'This is the ideal appetizer to kick off any gathering,' Sloan remarked.

Lemon Stuffed Chalkidiki Olives

This new arrival to the shelves this year features olives made from the same Greek variety as the previously mentioned blue cheese-stuffed ones. However, these olives are brined and stuffed with vibrant pieces of lemon peel. 'To me, this flavor is the essence of the Mediterranean,' Sloan said. 'The tartness of the lemon zest really balances out the saltiness. Anyone who's tried them is always amazed at how such a simple concept can be so unexpectedly delightful.' Serve them on a charcuterie board, as part of a mezze platter, or even in a cocktail for a refreshing twist of flavor.

Elevated Cracker Assortment

Originating from the United Kingdom, this exceptional selection of crackers stands out from the rest. 'These aren’t your typical store-bought crackers,' Miller noted. 'They have the taste of being handcrafted by expert bakers.' Each box contains three separate packages, each with a distinct variety of cracker—plum and date toast, buttermilk, and lemon and black pepper. Ideal for pairing with cheese or canapés, these crackers are a quick and tasty choice for preparing appetizers this holiday season.

The Festive Frenzy of Gummy Treats

Trader Joe’s has introduced the largest bag of gummies it has ever offered—an impressive 20-ounce pouch packed with soft, chewy, sweet gummies in festive shapes, such as snowmen, trees, holly, and ornaments. But that’s not all! You’ll also discover classic gummy shapes like bears and cola bottles, alongside fun novelty designs like mustaches and tennis shoes. As Sloan said: 'We aimed to create a gummy candy experience that mirrors the excitement and chaos of unwrapping presents.'

Jingly Jangly Surprise

This new version of the iconic Jingle Jangle comes in a smaller pouch rather than a large tin, making it perfect as a stocking stuffer or a tasty snack for your holiday road trips. Inside, you’ll find all the usual Jingle Jangle favorites—dark chocolate-covered caramel popcorn, milk chocolate candy gems, and both milk and dark chocolate mini peanut butter cups—plus a new addition: a dark chocolate cookie pretzel bark. 'The fun part is, it's not exactly the same as the larger version,' noted Sloan. 'It brings a special surprise in the form of the bark.' If you’re a Jingle Jangle lover (or know someone who is), be sure to grab a bag of this holiday newcomer while you can!

Jingle Jangle for Your Pup

Dogs can’t eat the traditional Jingle Jangle because it contains chocolate, but there’s good news! The new Jingle Jangle for Dogs is a safe treat for your pet. Each festive tin is packed with a variety of biscuit shapes—bones, stars, circles, and pretzels—in flavors like peanut butter, carob, and bacon. Even better, the pretzel shapes are dipped in peanut butter. If your dog enjoys treats (and what dog doesn’t?), don’t forget to add this to your holiday shopping list.

German Iced Gingerbread Soft Spiced Cookies

These aren’t your typical gingerbread cookies, making them a must-have for your holiday shopping list. These festive treats are covered in beautifully detailed, embossed icing. 'The texture is a delightful contrast between the crunchy icing sugar and the soft gingerbread that’s just the right amount of baked,' Sloan shared. Each box contains two large cookies, so there’s plenty to share.

British Shortbread Collection

This limited-time offering comes from the same supplier of the Elevated Cracker Assortment and is definitely worth trying. 'These are absolutely delicious little cookies,' Miller said. Inside each box, there are three trays, each with a different variety: coffee cookies made with ground coffee, cocoa cookies flavored with chocolate and filled with meringue pieces, and English toffee cookies loaded with crunchy nuts and toffee. 'These are so tasty,' Sloan added. 'They have that incredible crisp shortbread crumb—light and just a little dense.'

Mini Mushroom Tartelettes are perfect for a quick holiday snack. Trader Joe's brings you these savory little bites, each featuring a delicate pastry shell filled with a mixture of white and shiitake mushrooms, garlic, shallots, and a blend of Parmesan, ricotta, and cream cheese. 'To me, these are umami in a bite,' Miller said. The best way to cook these tartlets is in your air fryer or oven for optimal crispiness.

Looking for a fast and delicious holiday appetizer? Trader Joe’s has you covered with Mini Mushroom Tartelettes. These mini delights are packed with a flaky crust and a rich filling of white and shiitake mushrooms, chopped garlic and shallot, and a blend of Parmesan, cream cheese, and ricotta. 'To me, these are umami in a bite,' Miller explained. Bake them in an oven or air fryer for the best results.

Cheesy Creamy Greens and Veggies is an effortless side dish for the holidays. Sold frozen, it combines Brussels sprouts, onions, spinach, and kale in a luscious cheese sauce. You can easily prepare it by microwaving or stovetop cooking, or bake it with a crunchy topping of your choice for a cozy, baked side dish.

For a simple yet delicious holiday side, try Cheesy Creamy Greens and Veggies. This frozen dish features a mix of Brussels sprouts, spinach, kale, and onion, all drenched in a creamy cheese sauce. It’s perfect when heated in the microwave or on the stovetop, or bake it with a crunchy topping of your choice for an extra touch.

Holiday Vegetable Hash is a great option for a festive dish that doesn’t take hours of preparation. Enjoy a tasty combo of veggies in a hearty hash that’s easy to whip up and pairs well with any holiday meal.

This refrigerated item is packed with what Miller refers to as 'seasonally meaningful veggies,' such as butternut squash, sweet potato, red onion, celery, parsley, sage, and rosemary. Not only does it save you a lot of time by eliminating the need for chopping, but it’s also incredibly versatile. You can use it as a side dish, add it to soups, or even sauté it and serve over scrambled eggs.

For ice cream enthusiasts, the new English Toffee Ice Cream is a must-try. After several rounds of taste testing, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. This frozen treat features brown butter ice cream filled with chocolate-covered toffee pieces and almonds. 'It's really, really, really good,' Miller remarked. 'It has a fascinating, almost caramelized flavor, like brown butter.'

Ice cream lovers, this new English Toffee Ice Cream is made for you. After going through multiple taste tests, its deliciousness speaks for itself. The dessert is a rich brown butter ice cream filled with chocolate-covered toffee pieces and almonds. 'It's really, really, really good,' Miller said. 'It has a rich, caramelized flavor, much like brown butter.'