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Trader Joe’s usually gives us a bunch of advent calendar options as we roll up to the holidays. There’s the cheap and cheerful Milk Chocolate Advent, this year $1.29, that’s already in some stores. There’s the 12 Days of Beauty for the skin care fans. Last year there was a 12 Days of Scented Candles and the Advent of the Cocktail Hour with boozy chocolates. But I like a little variety and customization in my advent calendars, so this year, I thought I might make my own, a DIY Trader Joe’s Advent Calendar.
I’ve been meaning to get one that’s reusable with slightly bigger pockets, so I got this canvas one on Amazon. It also comes in black on the top and bottom. What’s nice is, it goes 1-24, but you can also safety pin it and just do 12 days, if you want. The cookies in day 1 are a snug fit, so it’s not quite big enough for a mass market paperback. If you’re crafty, you can grab some fabric markers and add more holiday flare on the pockets and the top.
If you want to make it more of an art project for your littles, you could also make one with flat pockets using those library card sleeves. These are on sale, though not strictly holiday colors. Or there’s always white/manila.
TJ’s winter holiday items are just around the corner. According to my 2022 camera roll, November 2 was the beginning, with things getting serious around November 10 (in the PNW). So it’s a good time to think about what you might want to include and get the items as they come in. You can go simpler/lower cost on the individual items (stretch that mini bag of peanut butter cups or the coins, for example) and finish big (Jingle Jangle or a gift card, maybe?). If items are too big to fit into your calendar’s pockets/drawers, you can always print out a picture.
Here are some ideas for items that are in-store now. I’ll drop a list with more ideas below.
MORE TRADER JOE’S ADVENT ITEM IDEAS
Everything But the Bagel Seasoning (or whichever is your fave)
Ghost Pepper Grinder
Reusable bag (sardines and waffles/breakfast were in my store and would be foldable to put in the calendar). They’re also expecting an emerald green insulated bag for the holidays.
TJ’s stickers (free!)
Chocolate orange (that you bang on the counter to break it open)
Mini Chocolate Cake
Individual candles (my store still had honeycrisp apple and vanilla pumpkin)
Sipping Chocolate
Olive wood spoon or spatula
Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds (small pkg)
TJ’s Daily Facial Sunscreen
Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s Dark Chocolate bar
Candle Tin Trio
Moisturizing Lip Balm Set (there were several in the box, so you could break these up over a few days or calendars)
Rosemary Nut Mix
Trio of Almonds
Caramel Coffee Allmonds
Walker’s Shortbread
2022 Trader Joe’s Holiday Health and Beauty Sets
2022 Trader Joe’s Holiday Item Roundup
2019 Trader Joe’s Holiday Preview
