6 Aldi “Little Luxuries” I’m Buying This Holiday Season (All $5 or Less!)
Holiday cheer comes at a cost. There’s a price tag for practically everything, from Santa’s lap to gift wrap. While there are plenty of free and affordable holiday events (check your local paper), feeding friends and family and gathering gifts for under the tree can add up. Luckily when I shop at Aldi I get all of the little luxuries without the sticker shock.
Little luxuries are what I call those “nice to have” items that I often see at the store, but rarely buy for myself. These finds are special and budget-friendly. In fact, the low price — $5 or less! — is part of what makes these five treats so luxurious.
1. Emporium Selection Champagne Cheddar Cheese, $4.49 for 5.3 ounces
Aldi is my first stop when it comes to building a holiday charcuterie board. The selection of unique cheeses is unparalleled. This December I’m upgrading standard sharp cheddar to one that is infused with Champagne.
The Emporium Selection Champagne Cheddar Cheese is one of Aldi’s premium imported English cheddars. (You’ll also find balsamic onion and truffle cheddar cheeses for the same price.) Nothing says luxury more than Champagne, so that’s the one I’m adding to my cart.
2. Priano Italian Dry-Cured Salame Italiano and Prosciutto Italiano, $3.49 for 3 ounces
Deli-sliced turkey and ham are for the everyday meals, but when it’s time to splurge I go for cured meats. At Aldi that means picking up a package of Priano’s Italian Dry Cured salame or prosciutto (aka cured ham). A 3-ounce package costs just $3.49 at the discount grocer, while the same size package can cost two to three times as much at other retailers.
Lay ribbons of the Salame Italiano or Prosciutto Italiano on charcuterie boards, add it to Friday night pizza, or wrap it around chicken for an easy, yet elegant weeknight dinner.
3. Specially Selected Mixed Seeds Italian Breadsticks, $1.99 for 4.41 ounces
Crackers come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. For much of the year, I reach for the ubiquitous round, scalloped-edged butter crackers when I need a partner for cheese or a crunchy nibble. December begs for a snack that makes a statement, and that comes in the form of Italian breadsticks.
Aldi’s Specially Selected brand sells several varieties of Italian breadsticks, and the mixed seeds variety is the one I love. They look elegant on a charcuterie board and deliver the perfect contrasting crunch when served with a cup of soup.
4. Specially Selected Caramel Stroopwafels, $3.49 for 10.94 ounces
If you’re like me and always have a steaming mug of tea or coffee nearby, you’ll want to treat yourself to Aldi’s Specially Selected Caramel Stroopwafels. These Dutch treats are made of caramel sandwiched between two thin wafer cookies. While they’re delicious to nibble right from the box, the best way to eat them is to set them atop a warm mug and let it steam for a minute or two to soften the caramel filling.
5. Benton’s Almond Spekulatius Spiced Cookies, $2.69 for 10.58 ounces
Aldi’s German origin is most apparent a few times of year when shelves are filled with traditional German foods. Among those are Almond Spekulatius cookies. This year they’re sold under the grocer’s Benton’s brand, while in years past they were shelved under the Winternacht store brand.
The subtly spiced cookies are a welcome addition to a holiday cookie platter. They’re also stamped with intricate designs like windmills, and free of any overly sweet icing.
6. Choceur Chocolate Truffles, $1.99 for 1.48 ounces
Aldi’s chocolates have been a not-so-secret favorite find for years. I always stock up on the usual variety of foil-wrapped Santas and cocoa-dusted truffles, but I was not prepared for the gorgeous gourmet truffles on shelves this year. These Choceur chocolate truffles are screen printed with festive scenes including snowmen, gingerbread men, smiling Santa and reindeer faces, and snowflakes.
The four-pack of chocolates include sticky toffee pudding, cookie crunch, cinnamon bun, and strawberry crunch fillings. These chocolates are the epitome of a little holiday luxury.
What Aldi little luxuries are you picking up for the holidays? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Further Reading
We Asked 3 Chefs to Name the Best Ice Cream, and They All Said the Same Thing
The One Cookware Brand That Gordon Ramsay Can’t Stop Talking About
Tuscan Chicken Is the "Most Delicious" Dinner of All Time, Says Everyone Who's Tried It
