I remember when we finally got my Mom to start text messaging. She flat out refused for a long time because phone companies were charging by the text. In her mind, all there would ever be were voice calls. If you need something, you'll call and speak to someone. Well, eventually this changed when my sister went on a trip to Ireland. She was 16 and about to go abroad for the first time. Texting suddenly became a necessity to keep in touch with a loved one thousands of miles away and several times zones apart.
My sister had wisely given my mom a cheat sheet of shorthand to keep the conversation brief. Phrases like "TTYL" were on the list with their translation. At some point during the trip my sister had texted me in need of clarification. "Mom ended our text as HAK. WTF does that even mean?" Needless to say, I asked my mother for the translation of the term "HAK."
She stared back at me with bewilderment. How could we not understand what she was trying to say?? Well, she finally gave up the translation: Hugs and Kisses. "Mom, isn't that Xoxo?" She replied, "Oh, I just thought you take the first letter of what you mean and text it. Isn't that what you all do?"
My mother in the early days could have very easily have been one of those online viral memes with that very conversation. You don't whether to LOL or facepalm. She hasn't lived the HAK incident down since. Thus, we still love her but we remind her as often as we can of the HAK incident. She now is very clear on using xs and os. Regardless, we still love her. And then tell everyone we know that story.
Now, speaking of xs and os, Trader Joe's has returned their fantastic gummies to store shelves. I absolutely adored their Scandinavian Tidings this past holiday season and was sad to see them disappear off of shelves before New Years'. The only bummer about those was trying to figure out what flavors they were. I took me an entire bag to attempt to figure out what flavors they were (they were really good and needed thorough taste testing).
Thankfully, Trader Joe's already took the time to post what they were: clear is grapefruit, pink is strawberry, and red is a berry. The grapefruit isn't tart. It's a sweeter variety that did not remind me much of grapefruit. If it did remind me of grapefruit, it reminded me of dousing it with sugar and not getting one ounce of the tartness. The strawberry does taste like strawberry but in a skittles type of way. The berry did taste a bit generic, but nothing that I did not mind eating.
I loved these enough to share them with my husband. He and I both seemed to gravitate towards the pink ones more. But for $2.99 at Trader Joe's these are an affordable way either share to love or to love yourself. A seasonal treat that is well done. A fun find that is worth a try.
If you can't find them or decide you need these in your life, then you can also get them on Amazon through third-party sellers.
Here is the visual rundown of what you get if you buy this product:
The bag if Trader Joe's Gummy Xs and Os:
The nutritional information:
The ingredients:
A quick description of this product.
Out of the package you get:
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Gummy Xs and Os again. I bought two bags and I have a feeling there are a few more in my future. I highly recommend these if you are a gummy lover.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe’s for a searchable list.
The Bottom Line
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Trader Joe's Gummy Xs and Os
Product Name: Trader Joe's Gummy Xs and Os
Product Description: Trader Joe's Gummy Xs and Os are seasonal Valentine's Day themed gummies
Price: $2.99
Summary
Trader Joe's Xs and Os Gummies are back on shelves but only for a limited time.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Trader Joe's Gummy Xs and Os are a fun spin on Trader Joe's Scandinavian Swimmers or the seasonal Scandinavian Tidings
Cons
- These are seasonal.
Alek says
I think these will make a fun tic tac toe edible version! Take some pull and peel twizzlers and make lines and then kids can play the game and eat it too! TJ's needs to make sour peach rings. That would be DIVINE!
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! What a fun idea with kids. I'm so glad you took the time to share this! Have you tried Trader Joe's Sour Ts & Js? They aren't peach flavored, but they are good. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
Dag says
I really liked your x-n-o mom story!!! Being the only American in a family of Germans I have had my share of Swedish Fish type of gummies growing up. I do like them but as an adult now I don't gravitate towards sugary desserts. I have never been fond of American type sugary desserts/treats. I am probably one of the few people that absolutely hate Krispy Kreme glazed donuts. Europeans gravitate more towards rich desserts opposed to sugary desserts. A good very dark chocolate, a decadent rich pastry (read butter & cream), smooth creamy gelato, crepes, tiramisu, cannoli, a super rich fudgey dark chocolate brownie etc. The flavor to sugar per serving ratio on these gummies don't work for me. Not worth it.
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! Sometimes, some stories are too good not to share. Sorry you don't like these. But I do know they have some very well done desserts that you might like. Some of them are even made back in Europe. Thanks so much for taking the time to share a bit of your story too.
EllenLV says
Too much sugar Brenda, but thanks for taking the time to share. I love your reviews, they are always great.
becomebetty says
Hey EllenLV! Sorry to hear that. I wish there were more low carb things out there. This is a common complaint across quite a few new items. They seem to be carb centric. Thanks so much for stopping by!