I'm a trained chef who shops at Trader Joe's. Here are 12 things I'm buying this month.

You can only find these tart gems while they're fresh from the end of October to December, so you might as well stock up.

Only about 5% of cranberries produced in the US are sold fresh, plus these freeze well and make for a way better homemade sauce that'll mask any dryness in your turkey.

An 8-ounce bag costs $2.49.

Raw honey is a great sweetener for holiday recipes, and you can't beat Trader Joe's price for an organic option. A 16-ounce jar costs $5.99.

Compared to regular or brown sugar, it adds a more nuanced flavor to dishes like sweet-potato casserole and pumpkin pie.

For a decadent appetizer, drizzle baked Brie with warm, raw honey.

The best stuffing is made from slightly dried-out, crusty bread. Smaller loaves have more crust, and, in turn, more crunch — so grab a couple of these diminutive baguettes for $1.19 each.

Simply tear them into chunks and let them dry out for a few days before making your stuffing.

Pro tip: Tear the bread by hand instead of slicing it to get more nooks and crannies for the flavors to soak into.

Whether you have a gluten-free guest or not, this seedy crispbread is a great addition to a predinner cheese board.

It's hearty enough to hold up to strong cheeses and will help tide people over until dinner is ready.

Each package costs $4.29.

If your family is all in on cornbread stuffing, grab a box or two of this mix to make the first step a little easier.

Make your cornbread a few days before Thanksgiving and let it get a bit stale before you cook the stuffing.

It costs $2.69 for a 15-ounce box.

Don't get so caught up in pumpkin-spice season that you forget about this dependable year-round staple.

Pumpkin seeds can easily add a touch of sophistication and crunch to a vegetable side dish or snack plate, plus you can use them as decoration for pumpkin pie.

Snag a pound for $7.99.

Fresh pomegranates always make a splash and cost $2.79 at Trader Joe's.

The jewel-like seeds (called arils) add a festive flair to everything, from salads to desserts.

Don't be tempted by prepackaged seeds — nothing compares to the juicy, sweet flavor of a freshly sliced, ripe pomegranate.

Pro tip: Grab a few and use them as a colorful centerpiece.

Make morning oats, oatmeal cookies, or hearty dinner rolls with this bargain buy.

Trader Joe's oats are organic and gluten-free, plus the container will likely last past the holidays.

An 18-ounce package costs $3.99.

This high-quality canned pumpkin is great for more than just pie — you can make seasonal ravioli, dessert bread, oatmeal bakes, and much more.

Grab a few cans while they're still available for $1.99 each.

From potatoes to stuffing to sweet-potato casserole, sometimes the holiday line-up can use a little heat.

Spoon some of this crunchy, allium-infused hot sauce into a pretty bowl and let guests dress up their plates with a spicy drizzle.

A 6-ounce jar costs $3.99.

Even if you're buying a pie, you should make your own whipped cream. It's fast, easy, and instantly elevates your dessert spread.

All you need is a few tablespoons of powdered sugar, a dash of vanilla, and a pint of this organic cream.

Each pint costs $3.49.

Whether you call it seltzer, fizzy, or carbonated water, this effervescent sip is the perfect topper for holiday cocktails, especially at just $0.79 a liter.

Plus Trader Joe's usually has some fun seasonal flavors, like cranberry clementine.

It's also a kid-friendly alternative to sweet soda since the little ones are probably running on enough of a sugar high.