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14. Holiday Decor
Dollar Tree has so much decor and supplies for all of the major holidays that I’m not even including it in the total of how many things you should buy! There is just too much- definitely make Dollar Tree your first stop when you are looking for seasonal items.
Christmas
- mini-string lights
- coffee to-go cups
- coffee mugs
- ornaments (great for wrapped present embellishments)
- little items for winter parties at school and stocking stuffers: candy, coloring books, pencils, little novelty toys, bubbles, stamps, etc.
- Christmas crafts for kids
- baking supplies: sprinkles, parchment paper, evaporated milk, canned pumpkin, canned yams, etc.
- packaging for food gifts: cookie jars, holiday tins, platters
- holiday craft supplies
- battery and solar powered window candles
- over-the-door wreath hooks
- Plates, bowls, wine glasses
Halloween
- pumpkin carving kits
- spider webs
- bags for trick or treating
- buckets and baskets for gifts
- glow sticks
- Halloween mini-string lights
- Halloween paper plates, napkins, cups
- candy
- non-candy treats, like spider rings, pencils, erasers, bubbles, etc.
- Halloween crafts
- Halloween costumes and accessories
Thanksgiving
- Fall decor
- Fall plates and glasses
- serving dishes
- “turkey” decorating items
- Fall craft items
Easter
- baskets
- plastic eggs
- candy
- basket items – coloring books, little toys, “carrot” shaped jump ropes, pencils, erasers, etc.
- window clings
- little knickknacks and trinkets
- foam craft cutouts
- Easter crafts
- egg dying kids
Stocking Stuffer/ Easter Basket Ideas Spotted at Dollar Tree
- Crayola tub paints
- headbands, hair elastics
- coloring books
- character toothpaste and toothbrushes
- character bubble bath
- character shampoo/conditioner
- character nightlights
- fuzzy socks
- theater candy
- seasonal crafts
- seasonal little toys
- nail polish
- puzzles
- “Yes To” facial masks
15. Craft Supplies
- vases
- wreath forms – wire and foam
- floral supplies
- foam blocks and balls
- twine
- ribbon
- wire
- “silk” flowers
- seashells
- glass pebbles
16. Items to Organize Your Life
- notepads
- calendars
- disposable containers
- dry erase boards
17. Storage Items
- bins
- baskets
- totes
- plastic shoe boxes
- laundry baskets
- wire shelf racks
18. Office Supplies
- envelopes – letter size, business size, manilla and mailers
- printer paper – no, this is not a better deal than buying it by the ream, but if you are looking for decorative printer paper (like if Santa runs out and asks you to stop and get some so he can send letters to your kids) this is where to go.
- Sharpies
- Scotch tape (the Scotch brand- the off brand is “just ok”)
- scissors – these are not the best scissors, but they make great decoy scissors for the people you live with to “borrow” when yours are nicely hidden away
- paperclips
- bottled glue
- sticky notes
19. Dorm Room Stuff
The dorm room is the last place you want to spend a fortune! Trust me, the bedding, vacuum cleaners, microwaves and mini-fridges will cost enough! Save where you can- especially on items that break and disappear.
- dish towels
- oven mitts
- dishes
- Betty Crocker disposable/reusable containers
- glasses
- coffee cups
- muffin tins
- measuring cups
- over the door hooks
- cutting boards – the thin plastic ones are in a package of 2 for $1
- shower curtain rings
- kitchen utensils
20. Home Decor
This is hit or miss, obviously. You’d be hard-pressed to decorate your entire home with items from Dollar Tree, but you may get lucky with a little accent piece here or there.
- vases – the vases are small, but actually really nice! They are great for a little vase of fresh flowers in your bathroom, by your kitchen sink, for centerpieces, on a guest’s nightstand, etc. They also have many uses for centerpieces and party/wedding decor on a budget.
- novelty candles
- candlestick holders
- picture frames – they are flimsy and, I feel, look as cheap as they are. That said, they are also the perfect lightweight frame to make dry erase boards you want to mount on a wall of the side of your fridge. Be sure the “glass” is actual glass and not plastic or they won’t work. I love a dry erase board (that doesn’t look like a dry erase board) on the fridge to write down items we need to buy. Heavy frames tend to fall off (unless you use industrial Velcro strips) and break, so these cheapies are perfect for this. This is mine- it had the pineapple print in it already, and I like pineapples, so this was a good find for $1! As you can see, we actually use this! (And by “we” I mean “me.”) 😉
There are hundreds of tutorials on Pinterest on how you can hack Dollar Tree items and turn them into attractive home decor. Definitely check them out if you need to fill in your decorating style with some accent pieces and don’t want to spend a fortune. Want an example? Check out these burlap bins from Simple Made Pretty!
21. Clothing
- 3pk socks – at $.33/each these are great for kids who ruin socks
- cotton underwear – I’ve heard these are decent quality for the price!
- stretchy gloves – stock up here if your kids lose their “good” sledding gloves all the time – these are a great donation item, too!
- winter hats – again, great to stock up on and also to donate
- fuzzy socks
- flip-flops – these hold up as well as any other $1 flip flops do. I’m not sure I would trust them to get through Disney World for the day, but they are perfect to have in your trunk or work bag in case you have a shoe emergency: broken flip-flop, broken heel, horrific blisters- you get the idea.
22. Random Finds
- sugar dispenser
- small glass prep bowl 4/$1
- sunglasses – like the flip-flops these are great to have as extras in case yours break when you are out
- jumbo crossword puzzle books – these make great gifts for older relatives and are also wonderful donations to community and senior centers
- spray bottles – for homemade cleaners, watering plants or training pets
- paper straws (24ct) – I love paper straws, but they are $2-3 at Target for 20-24
- Clothespins (36ct) – We use clothespins for so many things besides hanging clothing: chip clips, earbud keeper- they are all over our house.
- Game Day tableware and decor – platters, napkins, plates, cups
- Goo Gone
- Super Glue
- Nightlights
- Kids’ bathroom decor – soap dispensers, soap dishes, toothbrush holders
What NOT to Buy at Dollar Tree
- wrapping paper – it’s thin and tears easily, which is frustrating
- garbage bags – again, they tear easily. Definitely splurge on garbage bags you know are good quality.
- plastic silverware – it’s really cheap. I’ve broken my last Dollar Tree fork in a piece of cake. I will go back to name brand heavy duty plasticware.
- play-dough – tends to be dried out.
- lighters – they break
- Q-Tips – they bend and do not have much cotton for swabbing
- toilet paper – it’s thin. That’s all I need to say!
- candles – their scent doesn’t last. That said, they do have some cute novelty candles that would be cute birthday present or “thinking of you” add-ons to nicer gifts.
- school supplies at BTS time – better deals can be had at Target, Staples, etc. at the beginning of the school year. If you need something mid-year, DT has good prices for out-of-season supplies.
- crayons – they are too waxy and don’t color well.
- batteries – short lifespan, so maybe use these in your children’s’ most annoying toys? 😉
- acetaminophen and aspirin – better deals can be found at Target/Walmart/etc.
Dollar Tree Tips
- Watch sizes. Some items are a lot smaller than what you’d find at Target or the grocery store. If you have a good idea of how much full-size items cost you’ll know if you’re getting a good deal or not.
- If you don’t see something you’re looking for in the store, look at the Dollar Tree website. Lots of items can be shipped to your store for free store pick up.
- Check dates. A lot of the products are overstock items, including food items, so check expiration dates just as you do at your regular grocery store.
- Not everything is a good buy, so don’t just start throwing stuff in your basket of you’ll end up with 36 items you don’t really need.
Ready for more saving inspiration? Then check out these posts next!
Dollar Store Finds to Keep Your Kids Organized
5 Smart Ways to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck and Actually Save Some Money
Also be sure to take a look at our Frugal Living board on Pinterest for hundreds of money-saving tips from other great bloggers!
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