The 7 Best Trader Joe’s Stocking Stuffers for Under $5

If there’s one thing that lifts my mood year-round, it’s an impromptu Trader Joe’s run — especially in December. The cult-favorite grocer is full of seasonal, holiday-inspired snacks, bites, meals, and more during this time of year. While grabbing a few of these treats for yourself is an excellent way to infuse weekly shopping with a little more cheer, this supermarket is also an unexpected source for easy stocking stuffers. 

Whether you’re looking for stocking stuffers that won’t break the bank or are in need of a few last-minute additions, Trader Joe’s should be your go-to source. The grocery chain offers a variety of options to delight everyone on Christmas morning, from classic chocolates and cookies to boozy drinks and savory surprises. These are our top seven picks.

Gingerbread Dude Cookie 

Wishing you were in warmer weather? For just $3, you can gift a gingerbread cookie that looks like it’s ready for Christmas on the beach. 

Decked out in frosted hibiscus-print Hawaiian shorts and a cheeky grin, this gingerbread dude is a nod to The Big Lebowski that movie buffs may appreciate. Everything else about the cookie remains classic, from its brown-sugar-and-ginger-forward flavor to candy buttons and simple, sugary icing.

Oat Chocolate Bars with Crispy Rice & Cocoa Nibs

For the plant-based friend or family member in your life, pick up one of Trader Joe’s Oat Chocolate Bars to hide inside their stocking. They cost just $3 each, and these decadent treats feature crispy rice and cocoa nibs for pops of crunchy texture. In addition to the oat milk base that makes them vegan, these bars are also soy-free, gluten-free, and certified kosher.

Break Apart Reindeer 

The Trader Joe’s Break Apart Reindeer is a holiday treat with a playful secret inside its milk chocolate shell: red gummy “noses” that pay homage to the most famous reindeer of all. It’s the kind of interactive item that kids will enjoy breaking open, and at $4 it’s just as affordable as everything else at Trader Joe’s.

Sleigh Ride Cookies 

An entire box of these buttery sugar cookies, studded with crushed candy cane pieces and chunks of mint-chocolate sandwich cookies, might not fit inside a stocking as-is — but if it does, anyone would be happy to have more of them. These cookies are a festive treat that can be easily divided into smaller bags with bows tied around the top. If you’re stuffing stockings for a crowd, this is the way to go, and it’ll only cost you $4 for the whole batch.

Old Fashioned Egg Nog, Wine-Based

This eggnog happens to be shelf-stable and already infused with booze, so it’s stocking-stuffer-ready. Priced at $8, each bottle of the wine-based eggnog blends fragrant cinnamon with a velvety base of real cream. There’s no mixing necessary; you can simply pour it over ice and enjoy, or take a cue from Trader Joe’s and blend it with ice cream for a festive milkshake.

Calamari Pieces in Olive Oil 

For anyone who prefers savory snacks and bites, snag the Trader Joe’s Calamari Pieces in Olive Oil. Packaged in a chic, giftable tin for $4.49 — a shockingly low price for tinned fish — the Humboldt-variety squid is lightly cooked for a firm yet tender texture and packed in olive oil with a touch of salt. This gift will come in handy just a few days after Christmas when everyone is looking for appetizers to serve on New Year’s Eve.

Bourbon Vanilla Bean Syrup

This stocking stuffer is for anyone who is serious about their home coffee setup. Infused with Bourbon vanilla from Mauritius, the flavored sugar syrup is an easy way to upgrade lattes at home. It’s also great for sweetening a cup of tea, and home bakers might enjoy brushing it onto layer cakes for added moisture. At $4.49 for the bottle, this item delivers luxury at an affordable price.