I’m notoriously frugal — I don’t like to part with my hard-earned money and get very creative when it comes to buying things I need for my family. One of the things I know to do very well is taking advantage of dollar stores.
Are you on a budget this holiday season? Then consider going to a dollar store for the gifts you need.
I have blogged about always getting certain staples at the dollar store, like wrapping paper, gift bags, and yes — toilet brushes. But if you have a well-stocked dollar store in your area, check it out for Christmas gifts that will please just about everyone.
On a recent trip to the dollar store, I stocked up on beautiful holiday cards (how can you beat $1 for a whole box of cards?), napkins with Santa on it just for fun for Landon, some cute Christmas tree ornaments, and a huge bow for our old, wooden sled I always put in front of our house during the holiday season.
But most dollar store also stock these great gifts (that are worth more and usually cost a lot more than a dollar):
- iPod or phone covers
- calendars
- books for kids and adults
- candles
- pottery/glassware
- puzzles and games
- frames
- figurines
- scrapbooking supplies
- pretty storage boxes
As I’ve mentioned before, I do avoid the cheap toys made in China at the dollar store because I just don’t trust that they are safe for my son, and I also stay away from cheap lotions, etc., but everything else is usually great quality. I’m wearing my favorite warm socks from the dollar store right now :)
So if you have a limited budget this holiday season, give the dollar store a try — you’ll be surprised what great gift items you can find there. At that price, you could combine a couple for a bigger gift (a frame with a candle in a cute gift bag, for example), or add a dollar-store find to another gift you get somewhere else.
elizabeth says
I have given their picture calendars many times. Some of the photographs are so pretty they can be framed!
Rachael says
Watch out for typos and mixed-up pages in the books you choose. Also, make sure the cards are printed correctly.
Rebeca @ The Average Parent says
my sister has a tradition that she takes my niece to the dollar store every Christmas to buy presents. She lets her pick out whatever she wants. The randomness of the gifts is priceless. One year I got a 4 pack of toothbrushes. Last year someone got a set of salt and pepper shakers. It’s always fun to open our gifts to see what she got everybody!
Momma D and Da Boyz says
We love to purchase baskets or bowls at the dollar store and then fill with homemade goodies!
Debra says
Dagmar, dollar store’s my speed too.
Fits the frugal-minded’s budget beautifully.
Following you on Google.
Hope you’ll swing by and visit me too.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas.
Debra
http://debrasblogpureandsimple.blogspot.com
Jennifer says
Dollar Stores are great! So many great finds if you know your prices. When I’m in a pinch I do my gift shopping there to!
mshollymusik says
The most adorable client appreciation gifts I have ever given out came from the dollar store. They were cute, clear plastic containers with screw on lids that had the most beautiful Santa, Snowman and Reindeer heads on them. I bought them 2 for a dollar and filled them with colorful jelly beans that were also from the dollar store. Less than $1 per client and they all loved them!
Leslie says
I love dollar stores!! When my daughter was young, I would help her make a list of people she wanted to buy Christmas gifts for, then take her to The Dollar Tree to shop. I could let her buy whatever she wanted. She had fun and so did I.