10 Trader Joe’s Stocking Stuffers for Under $5

Trader Joe’s has become my go-to spot for fun stocking stuffers. They usually have delightful seasonal items and old favorites, and so many of their small offerings come in under $5, so you can stay budget-conscious while still stuffing those stockings to the brim. Even better, grab some frozen appetizers for your holiday party or potluck while you’re browsing. You might as well make navigating that horror show of a parking lot worth it.

1. Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa Stirring Spoons

The hot cocoa stirring spoon is not a new Trader Joe’s item, but the salted caramel-flavored version is. Just plunge the spoon into a mug of hot milk or your favorite nondairy milk, and stir leisurely until the chocolate melts and the mini marshmallows float to the top. The best part? This is a 99 cent treat that even a total scrooge can appreciate.

2. Crunchy Chili Onion Condiment With Cranberry and Orange

This new flavor variation on the beloved Trader Joe’s crunchy chili onion condiment is everything you love about the classic version, with a holiday flavor twist. Dried cranberries give it a little jolt of acidity, and orange oil amps up the holiday vibes. The Trader Joe’s website suggests serving it on baked brie or prime rib, but at $4.49 you won’t feel too guilty about drizzling it on everything.

3. Vanilla Bean Paste

Bakers know that vanilla bean paste is a step up from vanilla extract—they give all your desserts those posh-looking vanilla bean flecks. At $4.99this touch of luxury is a steal, and the baker in your life will thank you every time they open the bottle.

4. Reusable Sponge Cloths

Swedish dish cloths have gained popularity in the States in recent years for their affordability, durability, and eco-friendliness. They can be reused dozens of times and are fully compostable when they get too tattered to keep using. At $4.99 for five cloths, the Trader Joe’s pack is a great buy for the cleaning obsessive.

5. Hot Chocolate Sticks

For the true hot chocolate lover who will want to get cozy with mugs of the stuff all season long, Trader Joe’s hot chocolate sticks might be a better option than the stirring spoon. Marshmallows aren’t included, but you get eight hot chocolate sticks for $3.99, so it’s still a great deal.

6. Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream

For anyone who cooks, winter especially is a time of chapped, dry hands. Made with coconut oil, hemp seed oil, and shea butter, this hand cream is paraben-free, isn’t greasy, and has a subtle scent. And at $4.99 for a three-ounce tube, it’s one of the most affordable hand creams out there.

7. Peppermint Mini Marshmallows

If you buy the package of hot chocolate sticks, you’ll also want to pick up a $2.29 bag of these peppermint mini marshmallows to make the perfect hot chocolate kit. They’re subtly minty, perfectly sweet, and they happen to be vegan, gluten-free, and kosher, so they’re perfect for hot chocolate drinkers of all kinds.

8. Umami Mushroom Seasoning Blend

If you have a flavor-obsessed person in your life, a queen of condiments, if you will, they’ll appreciate the ease with which they can dust all their dishes with umami mushroom goodness thanks to this savory seasoning blend. You can’t put a price on happiness, but at $2.99 the happiness to cost ratio is hard to beat.

9. Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce

Another condiment that will help you level up everything from frozen pizza to your favorite pasta dish, this hot pepper sauce is for the spice hounds. It’s actually more of a thick pepper paste, and in case you haven’t tried it, it’s more than just a hot sauce. It’s a deeply flavorful, fermented condiment that you can buy at fancy grocery stores, usually at price points significantly higher than the $3.49 at Trader Joe’s.

10. Chocolate Croissant Scented Candle

The Trader Joe's chocolate croissant scented candle genuinely has a pleasant chocolate aroma that's not at all cloying. It's a seasonal item, so make sure to grab one while you can. My favorite feature is the tight-fitting lid that makes it easy to extinguish the candle without filling the house with acrid smoke.