I’d say that I do about forty to fifty percent of my total holiday shopping in and around the check stand/register area.
It’s a problem of mine, and the stores know exactly what they’re doing. It’s all shopping psychology. Everything in that area — all the cute little gift sets, stocking stuffers and snacks — are all placed strategically right in your line of sight, so you can’t HELP but see them and think, “Oh! I need that!” or “Jen would totally love one of those!” Doop-da-doo, I’ll just drop one in mah basket…
Yup, I’m that person. Raise your hand if you are too. 🙂
So that’s basically how I found this Trader Joe’s Herbal Infusion Anthology Tea Set filled with eight samples of different loose-leaf teas (just $6.99). It was in a basket by the cashier, and you know how it goes… You went to get a loaf of bread, but you left with two bags of groceries and some new teas.
How cool is this, though?! The teas are all caffeine free, which could be a good thing if you’re giving it away as a gift to someone you don’t know very well, and there are cool combinations I’ve never seen before, so no “Peach Passion” run-of-the-ill herbal teas. The names sound more exotic than that, like Golden Coconut Masala, Lapacho Apple and Thai’d Lemon Mint.
Golden Coconut Masala one is a bright goldenrod color and has turmeric, coconut, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, fenugreek, black pepper and cayenne pepper. You can see all the interesting tea ingredients because each one comes in a transparent plastic pouch. (I like looking at loose-leaf teas, BTW. I’m nerdy that way.)
I bet this would be a good gift for tea lovers, and it’s only $6.99. I got a box for my parents. They’ve been visiting family in the Philippines for a while, so it’ll be a nice welcome home present.
I actually haven’t tasted any of the teas yet because they’re herbal, and I’m not sure about some herbal teas during pregnancy. I think I’ll wait until after Baby Girl arrives.
Good gift potential though for $6.99. Trader Joe’s does it again!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Lulle says
Wow that’s cool! I’m usually more of a full caffeine black tea person, but the flavor combinations here are really unique. I’ll try to find it!
Karen says
I hope you can so that you can try the flavors and let me know which one I need to make when I visit my parents, LOL!
Jessica says
I need that teacup.
and maybe the tea.
well, yes probably the tea.
Definitely the tea.
Karen says
I hope you can find the tea. It would be a nice gift for yourself!
Dani says
That teacup! I need it!
Karen says
Hi Dani,
I got it at HomeGoods a few months ago. 🙂
Tulipthecat says
I’m a sucker for the gift sets near the cash register. The worse is at Sephora where I end up picking up stuff I want to try while standing in line. I like the tea sampler you’ve posted. I’ll have to pick one up for my sister in law. She loves teas :-). I’m a coffee drinking person. I totally need caffeine in my life.
Karen says
Yeah, that area in Sephora is dangerous. I’ve picked up many an extra thing there that I originally didn’t intend to, not gonna lie. 🙂 I hope that you can find this set; I googled it online and it was $20 on eBay. Crazypants!
Can you believe it’s December already? Does Tulip have her Christmas outfit picked out? lol
Tulipthecat says
Tulip has a red sweater that says Meowy Christmas on it. I got it at petco. I couldn’t decide between that and the santa outfit. What will Tabs wear for Christmas?
Karen says
Her outfit sounds so cute! Does she wear it around the house for long?
LOL, you know you’re a cat lady when you ask your cat lady friends what their cats are wearing for Christmas. 🙂
Anyways, I still have to get Tabs his outfit. Gonna look this weekend. maybe I have to go to Petco. 🙂
Amber says
I can’t concentrate on the post because – kitty teacup and saucer!! OMG I need that. <3
Karen says
LOL! It’s another HomeGoods find. HomeGoods is great for cat ladies…
LindaLibraLoca says
*Raises hand* But come on, a tea gift set? That really is great! Who could have resisted there?
Karen says
Absolutely nobody, LOL! I had to do it. 🙂 I gotta wait until the baby comes to try the teas, but that’s ok! It’ll give me something to look forward to.
LindaLibraLoca says
Better be safe than sorry. And tea doesn’t go off. At least not in a long time.
Erin says
This would never get gifted because I’d drink it as soon as I got home from shopping. TJ’s always has great gifts around this time! Have you seen some of their new body/beauty stuff this year?
Kiss & Make-up says
That would make such a great gift indeed! Both to give and get.
Karen says
It sure would!
Kim says
I have two hands way up and I’m jumping up and down, to boot. I’m SUCH a sucker for the impulse buy at the register. In Sephora’s genius bullpen/maze, it’s nearly impossible NOT to pick things up. These teas look super cute and sound tasty, too. I agree – great gift! 🙂
Iris says
The teas look adorable! I’d totally pick a few of these up as presents.