With Halloweekend running into November and Grandma’s stuffing still weeks away, there’s every reason to jumpstart holiday cheer. For those craving the cozy comforts and twinkling excitement of the season, Trader Joe’s advent calendars provide the perfect excuse. From chocolate classics to pet-friendly options, these festive countdowns are more than just sweet treats; they’re reminders to slow down and prioritize joy this holiday season.
Also, let’s be real: if Trader Joe’s and Mariah Carey say “It’s tiiiiime,” who are we to argue?
But first, a little history!
Trader Joe’s has sold Chocolate Advent Calendars since at least the 1990s, and every year brings a fresh lineup of whimsical designs created by their team of talented package designers.
Before Trader Joe’s many Americans have celebrated the 24 days until Christmas for “decades with the classic countdown calendars, opening little doors or drawers to reveal a small treat– traditionally a Bible verse, a toy, or a piece of candy,” explained Rachel Treisman from NPR.
However, companies such as Aldi, Costco, and, of course, Trader Joe’s are getting increasingly creative, meaning there’s a unique market of Advent goodies to invest in these days.
Trader Joe’s Chocolate Advent Calendars
Each calendar features 24 windows just waiting to be opened, revealing 24 delicious chocolates. The seasonally shaped milk chocolates are made with a generous amount of melt-in-your-mouth cocoa butter, unsweetened chocolate, sugar, milk, and natural vanilla flavor.
Trader Joe’s 2023 Chocolate Advent Calendars were released in early November. Last year there were seven chocolate-filled variations, down from ten in 2022.
This included “Over the River & Through the Woods,” featuring a holiday-themed crossword puzzle; “The T’Jays,” where Nutcracker rockstars needed help filling in lyrical blanks with Trader Joe’s foods to create a song; “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” offering a guide to holiday baking essentials; “Your Neighborhood Store,” which shared ways to say “Happy Holidays” in various languages; “The Christmas Tree Farm,” including a counting activity with winter and holiday-themed objects; “The 24 Days ‘Til Christmas,” featuring sloths celebrating and telling Santa “it’s a long story;” and finally, “Santa’s Reindeer,” showcasing a music-loving reindeer along with the names of famous guitar players.
The release date and themes for this year’s collections are still under wraps, but anticipation is growing as fans eagerly away the big reveal. On TikTok, @traderjoestalia, who is unaffiliated with the company, keeps followers informed about all the latest seasonal releases. Last year, she started creating content about winter Trader Joe’s products as early as October 26th, and the following week, she unboxed the inedible 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar in one sitting.
“It is in a different box from last time. Let’s see if there are different things in it this year!”
While not explicitly stated in the video, in a response to a comment, she mentioned “There was a Brasil Nut Body Mist in last year’s,” expressing hope for its return in the 2023 Advent Calendar but shared her excitement about the hair mask. With the holiday season approaching, Trader Joe’s is expected to announce the details within the next two weeks, so more content is coming.
Trader Joe’s Pet Advent Calendars
Just like humans, pets deserve holiday treats, too! Trader Joe’s Advent Calendar for Dogs and Advent Calendar for Cats ensures pets get in on the holiday countdown. Each colorful calendar features 25 windows designed to suit pet palates and comes in fun shapes and flavors.
On TikTok, @lifeof.simba.nala showcases the daily lives of her cats, Simba and Nala, while focusing on pet products that enhance their wellbeing and happiness. With an emphasis on quality pet care, followers can expect reviews and insights into the latest pet products, including Trader Joe’s Advent Calendar for Cats.
The calendar holds a delicious mix of 60% antibiotic-free Atlantic salmon and 40% dried seaweed for cats. It’s 60% antibiotic-free Atlantic salmon with dried sweet potatoes instead for dogs. Each window has a petite pouch with a soft, grain-free treat inside.
“So day one was a success, Simba and Nala loved the treats.” With the excitement of the first day behind them, viewers are encouraged to “stay tuned for the rest of the month,” and perhaps this winter as well!
Trader Joe’s advent calendars are a merry way to kick off the holiday season, bringing festive cheer as the countdown to Christmas begins… whether during Halloweekend or after Thanksgiving dessert. These calendars add magic to each day with whimsical designs and tasty treats for humans and pets. Whether indulging in rich chocolates or sharing special moments with furry friends, Trader Joe’s ensures everyone can enjoy the season.