How to Assemble an Epic Holiday Gift Basket With Just Trader Joe's Finds

Traditionally, you might think of popular Black Friday retailers like Target, Macy's, Amazon, and more as *the* place to score holiday gifts. But Joe is our little secret when it comes to all things fun and festive — Trader Joe's, that is — and we're not just talking about ingredients for our shortcut weeknight dinners or holiday feasts.

So while you're stocking up on those 29-cent bananas, cauliflower gnocchi, and crazy-affordable wine, keep your eyes out for these totally-giftable finds. Grab a gift bag or a basket, add a bow, and just add the following eight items for a less-than-$40 host gift, officemate surprise, or gift for your gal pal who could use a little TLC after this year. (Couldn't we all?!)

8 Trader Joe's Finds for an Epic and Budget-Friendly Holiday Gift Basket

1. Mini Assorted Succulents

Instead of red and green, we say fully embrace the go green mindset and start with a mini succulent. Easy to care for and almost impossible to kill, each plant is drought-friendly and only needs watered about once per week. These are available in a wide variety of species and come planted in clay pots so you can easily help the recipient add a pop of color and breathe new life into any room in his or her home.

2. Super Lemon Room Spritz

Speaking of rooms, a spritz or two from this spray bottle will do naturally refresh any room and add aromatherapy in one of the easiest ways possible. It's made with water, lemon myrtle oil, spearmint oil, and a sorbitol-based emulsifier (so the blend doesn't separate in the bottle). This light and bright air-freshener will act as a little pick-me-up each pump of the bottle.

3. Maple Espresso Black Tea Blend

Unsure of whether they prefer to wake up to a mug of tea or coffee? This beverage offers the best of both worlds. A mix of black and herbal tea leaves, ground espresso beans, and maple flavor team up to offer maximum cozy vibes per drop. Ideal iced, hot, mixed with any milk, or any which way, this healthy seasonal drink can offer a few moments of sippable self care.

4. Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce

Drizzled over a whipped cream-topped coffee drink, ice cream, a brownie, slice of cake or pie, or even a stack of pancakes (treat yourself is the name of the game with this gift basket!), this caramel sauce will make the recipient swoon. It looks and tastes rich.

5. Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Stirring Spoon

The biggest steal of the bunch: This brilliant spoon that can transform any glass of warm milk into a mug of hot cocoa. It comes in dark chocolate or milk chocolate and even includes mini marshmallows and a stir stick. If you have a few extra dollars and some extra space in your basket, tuck in a festive mug, too.

6. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Keep the cocoa cravings going with this box of chocolates. With slow-roasted peanut butter on the inside and dark chocolate coating every corner, there's a reason why this product made the top 21 list of Trader Joe's employee favorites for 2021: One (okay, more like three) is the perfect size for a snack or dessert.

7. Marula Facial Oil

No self-care kit would be complete without a little beauty loot. This face oil is like the EVOO of facial products; it's made with the first, or "virgin," cold-pressing of marula seeds that are harvested from trees in southern Africa.

Trader Joe's has a wide range of beauty finds to consider, but we opted for this as the best holiday gift basket addition because the oil is great for all genders and is uber-hydrating. Perfect timing to counteract the cold winter air!

Trader Joe's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2019

So they can enjoy with their holiday dinner party guests or to make any weeknight menu feel a bit more special, finish your basket with a bottle of wine. This limited-edition Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Syrah combo is affordable — although it tastes far more expensive.

Trader Joe's sources the grapes from a well-known Sonoma winery, then sell the juice under their private Trader Joe's Reserve label. The vineyard is known for "extremely expensive bottles of wine, like in the hundreds of dollar range," according to Tara Miller, Trader Joe's marketing director, who discussed this Trader Joe's wine on a recent episode of the retailer's podcast.