Anonymous wrote:Since you asked about TJs, they have some good holiday sweets - chocolate dipped Danish cookies, choc dipped peppermint Joe-Joes, minty cocoa truffles. I don’t love their frozen apps, but we have tried and liked the cranberry Stilton, cranberry chèvre, truffle Marcona almonds, apple & Calvados spread, scalloped cracker trio.

TJ's coffee ice cream was wonderful.

We tried the (starts frozen) lemon ginger cheesecake. It grew on me. The ginger was only in the cookie crumb crust (gingersnap) and it was mild. A novelty worth trying once.

I was unable to locate a TJ Nantucket cranberry pie.

Trader Joes:
- frozen mini baguettes: They're great for popping in the oven for family brunch, etc. and only take a few minutes;
- I also like the TJ's frozen mini pancakes, I pour the entire contents into a casserole pan, heat up, and then drizzle some maple syrup, etc. These also are ready in just a few minutes.

Lidl:
- cinnamon raisin pastries from the bakery section are delicious, the cream is kind of custardy which I love
- Christmas cookies generally, I've liked most of what I've sampled
- French macarons in the frozen section

Wegmans:
- fruit tart, I like the long rectangular one aesthetically but the round is gorgeous too

Leopold's restaurant in Georgetown:
- my favorite croissants

Goldbelly:
- Russ + Daughters from NY is my favorite source of smoked salmon; it ships right away and they pack it well

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since you asked about TJs, they have some good holiday sweets - chocolate dipped Danish cookies, choc dipped peppermint Joe-Joes, minty cocoa truffles. I don’t love their frozen apps, but we have tried and liked the cranberry Stilton, cranberry chèvre, truffle Marcona almonds, apple & Calvados spread, scalloped cracker trio.

Nothing is more disappointing on a holiday cookie tray than something like knock off oreos or other store bought cookie from the cookie aisle. There is nothing appealing about grocery store bakery or Costco bakery cookies either. In a pinch the tub of toll house cookie dough comes closest to tasting like a home made cookie.

Wegman's chocolate chip cookies are actually really really good.

Came here to say this. I’ve also really enjoyed the decorated sugar cookies from their bakery, and I imagine they have a holiday tray of them.

They do have a tray of the decorated ones. They are really good, but probably like $75.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since you asked about TJs, they have some good holiday sweets - chocolate dipped Danish cookies, choc dipped peppermint Joe-Joes, minty cocoa truffles. I don’t love their frozen apps, but we have tried and liked the cranberry Stilton, cranberry chèvre, truffle Marcona almonds, apple & Calvados spread, scalloped cracker trio.

Nothing is more disappointing on a holiday cookie tray than something like knock off oreos or other store bought cookie from the cookie aisle. There is nothing appealing about grocery store bakery or Costco bakery cookies either. In a pinch the tub of toll house cookie dough comes closest to tasting like a home made cookie.

lol ok, you do you

Those Jo-Jos are nasty. The TJ's peffernuse are good, but I haven't seen them this year. Maybe they are already gone.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Williams-Sonoma croissants (shipped frozen) are actually so good. I've sent them as host gifts and served them at brunches...they go on sale every so often.

how do these compare to TJ's frozen croissants?

I have never had TJ's frozen croissants rise as much as they're allegedly supposed to (I think it's a function of the prolonged deep-freeze), so the end result is sort of sad and dense and greasy. The W-S ones are flash frozen and meant to rise/be baked immediately, so just a higher-quality product overall.

I’ve never had plain frozen croissants from TJ but their frozen chocolate ones are always a hit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since you asked about TJs, they have some good holiday sweets - chocolate dipped Danish cookies, choc dipped peppermint Joe-Joes, minty cocoa truffles. I don’t love their frozen apps, but we have tried and liked the cranberry Stilton, cranberry chèvre, truffle Marcona almonds, apple & Calvados spread, scalloped cracker trio.

Nothing is more disappointing on a holiday cookie tray than something like knock off oreos or other store bought cookie from the cookie aisle. There is nothing appealing about grocery store bakery or Costco bakery cookies either. In a pinch the tub of toll house cookie dough comes closest to tasting like a home made cookie.

Wegman's chocolate chip cookies are actually really really good.

Came here to say this. I’ve also really enjoyed the decorated sugar cookies from their bakery, and I imagine they have a holiday tray of them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since you asked about TJs, they have some good holiday sweets - chocolate dipped Danish cookies, choc dipped peppermint Joe-Joes, minty cocoa truffles. I don’t love their frozen apps, but we have tried and liked the cranberry Stilton, cranberry chèvre, truffle Marcona almonds, apple & Calvados spread, scalloped cracker trio.

Nothing is more disappointing on a holiday cookie tray than something like knock off oreos or other store bought cookie from the cookie aisle. There is nothing appealing about grocery store bakery or Costco bakery cookies either. In a pinch the tub of toll house cookie dough comes closest to tasting like a home made cookie.

Wegman's chocolate chip cookies are actually really really good.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Williams-Sonoma croissants (shipped frozen) are actually so good. I've sent them as host gifts and served them at brunches...they go on sale every so often.

how do these compare to TJ's frozen croissants?

I have never had TJ's frozen croissants rise as much as they're allegedly supposed to (I think it's a function of the prolonged deep-freeze), so the end result is sort of sad and dense and greasy. The W-S ones are flash frozen and meant to rise/be baked immediately, so just a higher-quality product overall.

Anonymous wrote:Williams-Sonoma croissants (shipped frozen) are actually so good. I've sent them as host gifts and served them at brunches...they go on sale every so often.

how do these compare to TJ's frozen croissants?

Williams-Sonoma croissants (shipped frozen) are actually so good. I've sent them as host gifts and served them at brunches...they go on sale every so often.

My family does heavy hors d'ourvres dinner on Christmas Eve and much of it is store-bought - shrimp cocktail trays from Wegmans or Costco, the frozen Phillips crabcakes (Costco or Giant) with Wegman's remoulade, a selection of cheeses from Wegman's or Trader Joe's. We always try a few of the Trader Joe's frozen appetizers, but none have been popular enough to make repeat appearances.

Anonymous wrote:Since you asked about TJs, they have some good holiday sweets - chocolate dipped Danish cookies, choc dipped peppermint Joe-Joes, minty cocoa truffles. I don’t love their frozen apps, but we have tried and liked the cranberry Stilton, cranberry chèvre, truffle Marcona almonds, apple & Calvados spread, scalloped cracker trio.

oh thanks for the tips

Anonymous wrote:Wegman’s charcuterie board, vacce cookies, Wagshal’s cakes

vacce cookies?

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I always appreciate a nice veggie or fruit tray at a holiday party. You can always jazz it up with a homemade dip. I appreciate having a few healthy options to fill up my plate and balance out all the excess.

Same! Give me hummus and veggies and throw some grapes or figs on the side of the cheese platter and I'm happy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since you asked about TJs, they have some good holiday sweets - chocolate dipped Danish cookies, choc dipped peppermint Joe-Joes, minty cocoa truffles. I don’t love their frozen apps, but we have tried and liked the cranberry Stilton, cranberry chèvre, truffle Marcona almonds, apple & Calvados spread, scalloped cracker trio.

Nothing is more disappointing on a holiday cookie tray than something like knock off oreos or other store bought cookie from the cookie aisle. There is nothing appealing about grocery store bakery or Costco bakery cookies either. In a pinch the tub of toll house cookie dough comes closest to tasting like a home made cookie.

lol ok, you do you

It’s not hard to make cookie dough in advance and freeze it until you need it. Skip the crappy cookies nobody wants.

Congrats on your superior time management and planning skills! here’s a Dollar General cookie for your efforts

Just put your inedible cookies on a tray and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

DP, but I would rather go to a party hosted by the PP with Trader Joe's suggestions than a grouchy snob any day.

Happy holidays!

Oh no I’m so hurt! Merry Christmas!