We have committed ourselves November issue for the Capital Region’s bumper crop of mom-and-pop grocers. But we’d be lying if we said that 225 team had no special place in our hearts for a particular supermarket chain.

Honestly, we can’t get enough of the Trader Joe’s on Perkins Road. The prices are reasonable, and so are the cashiers just now the right level of chatty, and the seasonal selections always deliver.

Ahead of Thanksgiving, we exchanged information about the store’s latest snacks and treats on our Slack channel. We sent some staffers to investigate the fall and holiday goody lineups, including someone who: ahemsomehow ventured to TJ’s for the First time. This is what we picked up. Now it’s your turn: tell us what you’re buying this season (email protected).

Notes about Rosemary Mix

“It’s worth its weight in gold to have an easy, presentable snack on hand during the holidays, and the Nuts About Rosemary Mix fits that bill. It’s nice to keep in the pantry when guests come over (or just when you’re streaming your pajamas). It also makes a great hostess gift paired with a bottle of wine or spirits. Level up your crazy game with this one.

—Maggie Heyn Richardson, 225 features writer

Cornbread mix

“This was a permanent fixture in my home this fall. It supports just the right level of ‘home cooking’ for two working parents on a busy weeknight, and our 4-year-old has even mastered scooping the yellow goop into the muffin tins to help. Inspired by 225‘s own Olivia Deffes’ recent Friendsgiving contribution, I hope to soon add a few upgrades to our mix, like bacon or jalapeños, for an adults-only bread. But the spongy bread with just a hint of sweetness is still great without all the accoutrements and is best paired with chili or soup for a fantastic fall experience.”

—Laura Furr Mericas, 225 editor-in-chief

Solidify chips

“I love a good charcuterie board, especially for holidays, and these seasonal chips are my new must-have cracker for any party or meal. They are inspired by the sweet German bread loaf, usually filled with dried fruit and nuts. These crackers mimic the treat, studded with raisins and citrus peels and dusted with powdered sugar. They make for a sweet snack on their own and are addictive enough to warrant a few handfuls. I also think the sweet flavor of the crackers would be perfect to pair with a sharp, tangy cheese like the Unexpected Cheddar. Okay, now I’m going to run to my pantry and grab some.”

—Olivia Deffes, 225 digital staff writer

Cranberry Chèvre Goat Cheese

“My mom usually asks me to make a cheese plate for Thanksgiving, and this tangy, creamy goat cheese block is always a crowd pleaser. I also love Unexpected Cheddar and am super curious about the Holiday Cheer Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Spread, with cranberry pieces, cinnamon and Riesling.”

—Jennifer Tormo Alvarez, 225 editor-in-chief

Butter with brown sugar and maple syrup

“Listen, I’m a bread-and-butter girl through and through, that’s even the title of my country playlist. The addition of brown sugar and maple syrup gives your breads and pastries a much-appreciated sweet touch. I think this is one of the reasons why people are also obsessed with Texas Roadhouse sandwiches. Thank you, Trader Joe’s, for giving us this experience at home during the holidays.”

—Madison Kuiper, 225 contributing writer

Cedar balm candle

“There is always a candle burning in my apartment. And I love seasonal scents so much that I now light several to fill rooms with my favorite limited scents. When I’m grocery shopping, I always check Trader Joe’s candle tins to see what new ones they have in stock. I recently acquired a pair of Cedar Balsam candles, which in my opinion are among their best scents. If you like the smell of a real Christmas tree, this is it. And as someone who sets up a fake tree, I love lighting this candle to fill my space with woody, warm and fresh notes so that the room smells just like the real thing.”

Pierre & Antonin Amuse Bouche – Pet Nat Rosé

“I recently started following Sam Capaldi, a sommelier who posts ‘no-snob’ reviews of budget-friendly wines and pairings. Much of her content revolves around my favorite department at TJ’s: the wine department. I’m always looking for natural wines, and on her recommendation I brought this peachy, frothy, natural sparkling rose. It’s great to pair with a festive cheese board or a spicy mac and cheese. Store the fun bottle in a TJ’s wine gift bag for an easy gift for a party host.”

—Jennifer Tormo Alvarez, 225 editor-in-chief

Folded Bourbon Vanilla Extract

“Christmas is the only time a year I really make time to bake. Sad, I know. That’s why I love the seasonal Double Fold Bourbon Vanilla Extract. In general, extracts are pricey, but for a reasonable price you can choose this option, which gives you an extra layer of flavor in cakes, muffins, cookies and homemade whipped cream. It’s an easy way to make your stuff taste good fashionable.”

—Maggie Heyn Richardson, 225 features writer

Apple cinnamon rolls

“I had never been to Trader Joe’s before I was told to go for this item. I got a shopping cart full of snacks and tried a lot of things, mostly sweets. But because of the Apple Cinnamon Buns I had to go back to the store. A fun play on cinnamon rolls that I can’t get enough of, these rolls have a scoop of my favorite fruit in the middle. Everything comes together, the cinnamon and the apple, to make something that gives me that cozy fall feeling. When you get some, heat them for 30 seconds. You can’t go wrong.”

—Oscar Tickle, multimedia editor of Melara Enterprises

Danish Kringle

“If I fancy a piece of cake or a custom cake to have all to myself, I go for a Danish Kringle. Holiday flavors include A Very Danish Christmas Kringle, Christmas Fudge Kringle, I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas Kringle and more. Besides, I love a good ready-made cake. Who needs the hassle of making a homemade pie during the hustle and bustle of the holidays?”

—Madison Kuiper, 225 contributing writer

Gingerbread house kit and hot chocolate stirring spoons

“After a failed attempt to build the Haunted House Chocolate Cookie Kit in October, I’m battling for redemption through these DIY gingerbread house kits. How hard can it really be?! And I added the Hot Chocolate Stirring Spoons to my shopping list for sweet and inexpensive gifts for my children’s classmates.”

—Laura Furr Mericas, 225 editor-in-chief

Mini Hold The Cone Peppermint Flavor

“I’m obsessed with any combination of peppermint and chocolate, and the Peppermint Hold The Cones are my perfect winter sweet treat. For me it’s never too cold for ice cream! The little chocolate cones are filled with peppermint ice cream and are completely covered in a chocolate coating – just a few bites of holiday treat. If you’re like me and chocolate and peppermint are your two ultimate winter cravings, you’ll love this sweet treat.”

—Gracelyn Farrar, 225 contributing writer

Jingle Jangle

“Around Thanksgiving, an old colleague and I used to text each other about Jingle Jangle sightings. “Go now,” we recommend, because by mid-December the shelves of candy-filled cans often dry up. (Although the broth seems to last longer some years than others.) The round green containers are filled with a collection of sweet-salty things that are hard not to eat by the handful: chocolate-covered pretzels, dark chocolate-covered caramel popcorn, chunks of joe -Joe’s cookies covered in dark chocolate, mini peanut butter cups and red milk chocolate gems.

—Jennifer Tormo Alvarez, 225 editor-in-chief

Amazing mini pretzels with multiple flavors

“First of all, I love pretzels as a snack. But cover them with chocolate and I’m sold. This holiday range is ideal as a snack or as a sweet treat. If you are planning on making a charcuterie board for one of your holiday gatherings, this would be a great addition.”

—Madison Kuiper, 225 contributing writer

Joe-Joe’s Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint

“I love any covered Oreo, and I absolutely love dark chocolate, which means the Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Joe’s-Joe’s are definitely going in my cart. They are made even more tempting with a light sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies. I hide the meager box in the back of my pantry and nibble on it before I go to bed when no one is looking. No. There is no sharing here.”

—Maggie Heyn Richardson, 225 features writer

Peppermint creams covered in dark chocolate

“When I have people over, I always want to have something sweet for everyone to try. TJ’s Seasonal Peppermint Creams are my current hosting staple. There’s a little crunch when you bite into the hard chocolate shell, but the inside is creamy peppermint. And they look so cute and colorful with the crumbled candy pieces on top! Everyone who comes over is obsessed with these little creme candies, and so am I.

—Gracelyn Farrar, 225 contributing writer