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Weekly Grocery Recall Roundup: Soups, nuts, spices, and snacks pulled from shelves

By Johnita Anthony,
  MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Youdle) – Multiple new recalls this week involve undeclared allergens, potential contamination, and safety concerns affecting a range of grocery items. Shoppers who purchased the products below should check labels carefully and follow the recall guidance provided by manufacturers and regulatory agencies. New recalls issued this week Monster Cookies (Lunds & Byerlys) Recall date: December 10 Reason: Undeclared peanut, egg, and soy allergens. Product information can be cross-referenced with the store’s listing: https://www.lundsandbyerlys.com/product/l%26b-signature-monster-cookies-id-00018169481066 Meal Simple Red Lentil Dal Soup (H-E-B) Recall date: December 10 Reason: Possible undeclared milk allergens. As reported by the Houston Chronicle : https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/soup-sold-h-e-b-recalled-customer-reports-21235415.php Grandma Belle's Tomato Basil Soup Recall date: December 9 Reason: Undec...

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Budget-friendly hot cocoa gift basket ideas using dollar-store finds

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By Johnita Anthony,

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Youdle) – A TikTok creator is gaining attention for a budget-conscious holiday gift idea sourced entirely from Dollar Tree. Posting as @cassidys_corner, she regularly shares low-cost shopping tips and recently demonstrated how to put together a complete hot cocoa gift basket for less than 20 bucks. For shoppers looking to stretch their holiday budget while giving something useful, the idea offers a practical solution.

How she builds the basket

She begins with a red plastic storage bin, which serves as both the base of the gift and a reusable container for the recipient. The items she adds create a simple hot cocoa and cookie setup that works for families, coworkers, or anyone who appreciates an easy winter treat.

The basket includes:

  1. Swiss Miss hot chocolate packets

  2. Chocolate cookie mix

  3. Sugar cookie mix

  4. Mini marshmallows

  5. Chocolate stirring spoons

  6. Candy cane stirring spoons

  7. Two holiday mugs

  8. Rolled wafer cookies

  9. Tootsie Roll hot cocoa pods

  10. Junior Mint hot cocoa pods

If you’re unsure whether your recipient uses a pod-style brewer, the cocoa pods can be swapped for more packets or another shelf-stable item.

What it costs

With most Dollar Tree items now priced around $1.50, the full basket comes in at roughly $18, depending on store pricing and availability. 

Other low-cost gift ideas

For a broader look at additional budget-friendly gifts available at Dollar Tree, readers can visit the original article for more inspiration.

Stay connected with Youdle

If you enjoy stories like this, you can subscribe to the Youdle newsletter for weekly grocery insights, seasonal shopping tips, and updates that help you make smarter choices at the store.

Have your own DIY gift ideas or want to show photos of the baskets you’ve made? Join the Youdle Community, where shoppers share projects, compare finds, and help each other stretch a budget.

And before you shop for your own gift basket ingredients, use the Youdle search engine to check which nearby stores have the lowest prices on cocoa mixes, cookie ingredients, and other holiday staples.

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