SO MANY NEW TRADER JOE'S ITEMS TO TASTE, NO TIME TO WASTE

[@carolbarquin9870]

When my late husband and I decided to get married we could not afford an engagement ring. Flash forward to Christmas 10 years later and he got me an engagement ring for Christmas. It just blew me away.

[@lauriec9541]

I asked for 4 years for a gift I really didn't think I would ever get but really really wanted. My mom made us make a list each year, the forth year I only put this on it. I must have worn her down because the 4th christmas I got my best friend for 10 years....my horse! I cant explain how overwhelmed I was. My parents were not wealthy, now I can't imagine how much they must have given up to give me my horse named " misty blue ghost". Great memory, thanks

[@lauriedettelback1179]

Christmas always equates to adoption for me. My brother and sister were adopted from Korea around Christmas. My brother, a few weeks before and my sister a few years later was adopted right after Christmas and also right before my parents huge New Year’s Eve party! When I adopted my boys arrived right before Christmas. My family has always been the very best Christmas present I could ever ask for! Thank you guys so much for doing these videos. I really appreciate them.

[@marygrott8095]

The best gift I ever received was a shadow box that my sons made me. That's because they spent many nights working together on it. They're adults now and have since married, and it still remains one of the best gifts I've ever received!

[@CanineConsistency]

Omg I love the green screen! I’m laughing so hard at that little piping hot cup of coffee! 🙌🏼 ☕️

[@lose999]

My best Christmas gift is a crafted Christmas tree under a glass dome built with alphabet baby blocks and mini nativity scene made by my best friend. She made it when my first daughter was born 39 years ago and I display it every year. She has been making them every year since for her friends, family, and now for charities.

[@annmariedonnellon1048]

My favorite Christmas gift was given to me by my mother on the first Christmas after my son was born. She gave me a set of easy bake cake mixes that I used to get every year as a child since I loved baking. It made me laugh, opening the gift and my mom told me that although I might have a child of my own, I would always be her baby. It was the most touching gift I have ever recieved

[@denisefonda2815]

Great taste test! As far as a memorable gift, there have been so many. But my Mom was a professional seamstress and when I was in 4th grade, she made matching clothes for my Barbie and me. It was amazing, however, it was over 55 years ago, and kids are so “mature” today, I’m not so sure it would be cool. I miss her, she always made Christmas special🙂

[@susanyencer1320]

My most memorable Christmases is the years I was younger when my sister and I would get special homemade furniture from my dad. Rocking chairs and cradles for our dolls. When we were in high school, he built my sister and myself each the most amazing make up dressing Tables and chairs. My sisters was pink and mine was yellow. My dad owed his own cabinet shop in Orange County and was a vice president of a major house building companies in OC. He is now gone but will always remember the amazing things he would build us for many wonder Christmases.

[@JessicaLodge]

My Hubby called me from TJ's as I had just finished the rum ball part. He was in the bakery section and asked if I wanted it. Of course I said no😂😂. My favorite Christmas gift was a big bag of M&Ms when I was 9. I wasn't allowed a lot of sweets and my Uncle gave each of my cousins and me our own large bags. I was in heaven! Sometimes it's just the simple things.

[@bonnielemmon8493]

I love your background, cozy and festive. So many good things to try, I’m definitely in your trouble with the popcorn. My favorite gift came when I was much older, but it was so special to me. It was the year after my father passed away. After all the Christmas gifts were open my mom handed me the smallest package. She explained to me that she had melted my father’s wedding ring down into two nuggets so we each could wear them. That way he would always have his arms wrapped around us. Have a wonderful week and try to get some rest Katie.

[@TheTerakitty]

I’d put the lemon olives 🫒 in a dirty martini 🍸

[@klmjtr]

I love the background!!! 🌲❄️ Wish I could be there in real life!

[@poketographyyy]

I love the green screen! It really sets the mood and was really well done, too. It added a lot to the video. The Peppermint Popcorn sounds like it could be a good addition to Christmas Crack dessert as a sprinkle! I'm also not the biggest pure peppermint fan, but if done right, it adds a lot to a dish/dessert! Sounds like TJ's went a bit too hard with the 'alcohol' and their sugar-alcohols with the rum balls--which may explain their overwhelming flavors. You've piqued my interest with a lot of the sweets. Thanks for such an entertaining and interesting taste test! Lots of gift-basket worthy snacks.

[@christinestrawser9458]

Maybe add the lemon olives to a chicken piccata recipe???

[@Abcdlmnop-w4n]

Great idea!

[@kriskitty10]

The backdrop is awesome!

[@chriscatton705]

I love it! made me feel good

[@katielewis3152]

You all are my comfort KZbin channel!

[@amberwaves2223]

Very cool green screen background!

[@amberwaves2223]

@ oh so it was real, ok, got it

[@pbthefirst630]

@@fee4900it’s clearly a green screen though? Look at the coffee

[@HappyLife-wv5ms]

@@fee4900What?! She said it is a green screen and showed the green screen. What video are you watching?

[@hcarpam1]

Love this. Tim has come a long way since you two started your taste test. He is so descriptive.

[@Jaye-ky6wc]

He has definitely, come into his own! 😉

[@beaglenglund]

Tim is great, and there is one item when I pretty much always trust his palette and opinion even more than Katie's and that is wine. They don't always agree, and my taste in 🍷tends to align more with his.

[@Abcdlmnop-w4n]

Love all your taste test videos! Beautiful background!

[@sr9802]

Great taste test! I love those shortbread cookies! Best gift- I was starting my student teaching in college and didn’t have a car to get to my school. I had been looking at the used car ads and really wanted a used Mustang convertible. My parents had come to an art fair that was in my college town and we were walking along and I saw for sale sign in a 1985 Mustang convertible so I went to grab a piece of paper and pen out of my purse to write the phone number down and I started to write the number down and realized that it was my phone number! My parents had bought it for me as an early graduation present and put it where they knew we would walk by with The for sale sign with my phone number in it! I started crying and dropped to the ground because I couldn’t believe it! it was the most amazing and surprising gift of my life! When I got my first dog from my parents at 11 years old that I had been begging for since I was about six was also another great gift and honestly all the presents and things that my kids have drawn and bought for me over the years are probably right up there with the car .

[@Alicia_1970]

I was really hoping you were in a Colorado chalet 😆 ❄️

[@sondranewall4462]

The place you are at is gorgeous. It reminds me of so many places I had been to when I lived in NJ. Such a cozy atmosphere, I would love to be in the Northern part of the country again. My ex-husband and I used to go to a little restaurant/bar, with a similar atmosphere, and I loved it. Living in SE Florida, is so different than most places in this country. It is very tropical, with high end restaurants that have an ocean view. We get a few really chilly days, but more often it is warm and sunny. You can swim most of the year here. It is much warmer than Southern California. I was at my nephews home during the Christmas season, in LA, and it was so cold, I slept in a sweatshirt, and sweat pants, with lots of covers, and a fire place. We rarely get more than a day or two of cold weather, usually feel it at night, since it is quite warm until the sun goes down. From April through most of November, it is hot, and we wear very light clothing, short and a tee shirt for casual attire, lightweight dress or pants and short sleeve shirt, for work.

[@karenrockemam7921]

Most memorable gift was a portrait of my cat, Miss Biggie, who had passed away months prior. She had such a great personality and was my buddy. I actually cried when I opened it.

[@kristenahubbard3338]

I will be getting the Cocoa Berry tea! Thanks for the taste test. I do wish I had the roaring fire to sip it by. 😊

[@raquelledonni6451]

I don't think you usually put olives in sweet Martini's. But making a dirty Martini with the lemon olive juice might be nice!

[@marketapistekova5695]

I like the Rum balls 😂 I thought they were really good.

[@stephaniebarker472]

I think the chocolate-hazelnut balls are supposed to be a version of Baci (pronounced “Ba-Chi”). it’s an Italian treat in a silver wrapper with blue stars. It also has a whole hazelnut at the center.

[@KatieHespe]

Trader Joe’s sells Baci actually and I do love them as well. These were similar but definitely different than baci.

[@PattisPurse]

i make rum balls for christmas, made with the dark rum & they are delicious - not as dark as those!

[@chermazz1962]

Love all your videos! You both are so fun!

[@trisha3338]

For the Caesar salad dip, Caesar salads are always made with Romaine lettuce, so that ingredient totally makes sense😊

[@Amyj1972]

Mix that (or any) GT Kombucha with the spritzer with the bitters for a great mocktail!

[@lose999]

I love giving gifts better than receiving them.

[@rosefelix2561]

Happy Holidays Hespe family!😊

[@vickim5339]

Thank you, Katie and Tim, for courageously trying all those sweets. I think I want that box of truffles.

[@AllisonFields-s7m]

Thanks for the video, I’ve been waiting for it!

[@dmledger6974]

Tfs Katie & Tim! Love the green screen❤ Love your creativity Katie.🥰🥰🥰

[@aimeeparrott9204]

I am so glad I decided not to buy those rum balls today! I feel like I dodged a bullet. My favorite gift was really a whole Christmas. When I was 11, my father had just left and my mom wasn't making much money. She had told us that Christmas gifts were not really happening that year, and I and my 2 younger sisters were feeling sad about that. And then, on Christmas Eve, my aunt and uncle arrived at our house with a car full of presents. They have 6 kids and we each had a gift from each of them. Many were books and we were all big readers. They had also collected gifts from the other aunts and uncles on that side of the family. I just remember crying and laughing. It was overwhelming in the best way. I've received bigger and fancier presents, but I'll never forget the kindness and generosity of that Christmas.

[@catherinethompson5477]

I agree I love the backdrop! And I would love to know the lip combo you have in this video it's very pretty! We're going to Trader Joes tomorrow so this was so helpful!! Thanks guys! ❤🎄❤️

[@orangetzar7099]

My favorite gift was a passenger train Lego set I really wanted in the early 2000s. I woke up at 2:30am to sneak through the gifts and it was there. And I agree, going through the stocking was always a main highlight.

[@marthawatkins8977]

I love the green screen. It really made it feel cozy. I wonder if the fact you just ate peppermint affected the flavor of the Kombucha. My most menerable gifts were a hat and mitens knitted by my grandma. She made a set for me and my sister. Mine were pink and grey. I thought they were the prettiest I had ever seen. They meant the world to me, and were so special because my grandma made them.

[@adelecruzmorris7358]

I think your background is fantastic. I bought the French Onion Popcorn, which was a yum. Went back to buy two more bags.

[@lisatowan4536]

The taste test didn't disappoint! I love the backdrop! My most memorable gift was probably my first bike. I had wanted one so badly. I was shocked that I actually got it.

[@tammybozza4703]

One of my favorite gifts was the Barbie townhouse that my grandmother gave me when I was a kid. I loved that it had an elevator!

[@debbuller1492]

I loved the backdrop of your video. I think my favorite gift was a very good bottle of wine my daughter gave me

[@lillianhernandez9879]

Love that background ❤

[@retromoviefan944]

I bought the rum balls and I love them....I understand why some people might not like that strong rum extract flavor, but I love it. They somewhat remind me of a Swedish candy called Dammsugar or punsch rolle that is sold at Ikea . When I first had one of those I thought they tasted like poison lol , but I realized that they were flavored with a strong extract that is similar to rum (I think it is called arak) and bought them all the time at Ikea. So I think it's simply a matter of what someone's concept of "rum" is...rum out of a bottle like that boozy flavor (which I don't like in candy), or a strong extract type of flavor which does pack a strong wallop of flavor which I love. Also, on the back of the package on these rum balls, you notice that they say it is a "Danish" candy, so I think they were going for that Norwegian type of flavoring. The ingredients don't list arak as the flavoring, but I suspect that is what they used. I liked the chocolate truffle filling they used too, so all around, for me it is a "win"

[@zebralove2840]

I love both of your enthusiasm. My most memorable Christmas gift was a few years ago, and my daughter and son-in-law got me tickets to my favorite comedian (Demetri Martin) and it was a total surprise. Hard to top that one!

[@pameladepaul1073]

I absolutely love the Something Spritzy ... I just made a trip to TJ's today to pick.up a few more cans! It's the bitters flavor twist that makes it unique, but you have to like the aromatics of bitters. Which I do. 🙂

[@kchristinecarr6320]

Love the background! Thank you for the honest review of the rum balls. I love rum balls and would have bought them. Now I won’t bother.

[@pameladepaul1073]

I literally had them in my hand today, and then decided I had already spent enough and put them back. *phew* 😁

[@greenpurl8482]

the licorice root makes the tea sweet. I'm curious enough to try it

[@kate10662]

Most Ben and Jerry’s have over 1000 calories per container, so basically that ice cream is healthy in comparison. 😂

[@kristinmarie331]

Love the green screen!!! I would love to be in a cabin with u guys like that if it was real!!! U guys are the best and make my week!!! U make me laugh. ❤❤

[@marjoried.9277]

My Shirley Temple doll I got when I was around 9, because I didnt get gifts like other kids got, so when I got that doll I was over the moon.

[@marygrott8095]

I agree with you, Katie, on those hazelnut chocolates. This version, in my opinion, is much better than the name brand ones. And I'm so glad that tea is good!, even to Tim, who doesn't like tea! I bought it as a stocking stuffer for my adult son, who enjoys tea. It sounded to me like something he'd enjoy. And, those chocolate covered marshmallows are so goo, and I don't really like marshmallows.

[@valerie718]

I tried the Toscano cheese that you recommended in a recent video. It is delicious! It’s so good that I had to share it with my son and his wife because if I kept it at my house I would have devoured the whole wedge by myself. My favorite Christmas gift was from my dad. I was in 8th grade and he bought me a stereo for my room. There were a few times I got grounded and had privileges taken away, but my dad never restricted me from my stereo. He said taking away music was like death lol

[@tammyt6193]

Baby Alive doll in 1973 - I was 8. It was the best Christmas as a child.

[@fee4900]

Olive goes in a plain dry martini

[@MichelleRoeback]

My ex arranged my best friend in Florida to fly up and surprise me. She was waiting in a bedroom to surprise me when I got home from work and walked in the door. Runner up, Christmas when I was 15 was a new 10 speed bike. I wore that bike out!!

[@RWCLtd3]

My most memorable gift was a perfume my friend gave me. I don't wear perfume, but he said he gave it to me because it was his mother's scent, and she had passed away the year before. He said he wanted me to be the one who could remind him of his mom. 🥹 Worst gift: Again, I don't wear perfume and my hubby gave me a big bottle of perfume - his mother gave me the same bottle a week before! 😵‍💫 We're still together 40 years later. 😊

[@kimseals3458]

Romaine lettuce makes sense. It is Caesar Salad

[@carolandersen2702]

I really like your backdrop.

[@michpitt42]

My most memorable gift was a dollhouse, my dad put together for me, in the 1970's.

[@BellaBeeBaby]

Did you try the garlic parmesan butter?

[@prycerprycer7872]

I can't agree with you on the olives in a lemon drop martini. It might be good in a dirty martini but nothing sweet.

[@TheTerakitty]

Exactly. These are only for dry/dirty martinis

[@jenniferwellman5311]

Your stage production has improved over the years….😂😂😂 I think the best gift that I ever received was when my grandmother had passed, and left me $20,000. I bought a condo. I never would’ve been able to do that.

[@jeannebailey6331]

Thanks!

[@KatieHespe]

Thank you!

[@janetstevens5990]

The peppermint popcorn bag is so small

[@stacyschwed7248]

I second that the Cesar dip should be vegan

[@irener1111]

Missed your taste test like week. I had to do my shopping trip blind and it was hard! My most memorable gift was in high school my mom bought me ski’s early so I could go on a school ski trip. They were stolen on that trip!! She got me another pair for Christmas and it was such a surprise because my mom was a single mom and didn’t have much money! I cried too!

[@MsSpike5]

I enjoyed your story. What a beautiful mom!

[@irener1111]

@ aww thanks, she really is!

[@denisebutkus3901]

Do You go to Aldi anymore?

[@JulieButterworth-o2u]

Mine was the year my sister and I got shoeskates with pom poms & cool skate cases.

[@ohyeagirl1111]

Fun fact: the first ingredient in pop rocks is lactose.

[@heatherlambert5822]

lol I just bought the rum balls today and ate one. Not a re-buy item and tastes VERY synthetic.

[@katehadden7079]

I also thought the something spritzy tasted like ginger! I was so shocked it didn’t have ginger in it

[@juliewilburn2942]

Oh gosh I drove two hours and one of my items was the rum balls - now I am afraid to try them 😂

[@shaneybaby333]

Returning food to a grocery store because you don’t like it seems odd, as it’s based on subjective taste-so what if it doesn’t suit your palate; does that really warrant a refund? 🤔

[@KatieHespe]

If it taste like lighter fluid then yes. Things cost way too much these days to just throw away when they are completely inedible. Normally if we don’t like something we give it away to family or a neighbor but I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving the rum balls to anyone because of how inedible they are.

[@catmama54]

That background is my dream. I wanna live in Vermont. I always have if I ever win the lottery that’s where I’m going. That was beautiful. My best present was actually this Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was my birthday and my stepdaughter and her husband told me they were coming in December a little close to Christmas and I was looking forward to that and Tuesday before Thanksgiving I had a knock at my door and there was my stepdaughter and her husband. The surprise of a lifetime bringing me all sorts of gifts and presents and one of the best was a live wreath with Christmas lights for my back door in my apartment, but it was the best surprise I’ve ever had in my now 69 plus one year of living. They came from NJ to NC. My husband used to always spoil me rotten for Christmas beautiful presents wrapped and under the tree every year. And I will miss that him forever. Those lemon olives would do well in a martini.

[@kouklakee]

Can you please turn on your close caption for your video . This one is not available.

[@toothfairy5008]

There is close captioning.

[@AllisonFields-s7m]

I can see it

[@spillthwinesfinds1244]

I was going to ask you if that is a real background.

[@klimtkahlo]

Watching from Europe and wondering why we don’t get the same things here at Aldi or Lidl. We don’t have “Trader Joe’s”, sadly!

[@masulliv55]

A princess telephone

[@ferncohen4895]

I’m eating mine good with lox on a bagel instead of cream cheese

[@sandysutube63]

Ice cream 1,000 calories!???? Omg!!!

[@AllisonFields-s7m]

But did the gummies taste good?.

[@eileenmccann857]

We did the phone for our son but it was under the tree.

[@kathyclarke6327]

Barbie❤

[@D7cooper]

Hi, Katie and Tim! I laughed at the cabin setting - so cute. I was surprised because I think of you two being in California. Glad that you got to try all the goodies. The Caesar Salad dip and the English Toffee ice cream tempt me. Olives, I'd give them to whoever wanted them. Pass, lol. My most memorable Christmas present was my Ideal Kerry doll. I found where my Mom had hidden her, and I swapped her out for my older Chrissy doll. Facepalm. I was NOT a good kid that year.

[@beaglenglund]

There are snowy winter places like that, even in SoCal like Arrowhead, Wrightwood, Big Bear, etc.

[@ferncohen4895]

Gummies r terrible

[@johnnycash7612]

Who is the handicap guy he seems pretty smart for being handicap? Good for him..

[@johnnycash7612]

He is great he not real sure about olives.

[@TheTerakitty]

You think handicap ppl can’t be smart? Guessing you’re a Rump supporter; get ready for a very long 4 years

[@lkbd12345]

Why are you vegetarian? If you don’t want to answer, if course that’s your choice, but I am curious

[@TheTerakitty]

Why does it matter?? Millions of humans are vegetarian… and there’s millions of reasons to be so.