Finding Deals at the Dollar Store {Holiday Edition}
>> 12.10.2009
I’ve walked you though the ins and outs of finding the real deals at dollar stores before, but with the holidays in full swing, it’s a whole new ballgame. There are some big mistakes to be made out there in the dollar store, but also a few brilliant buys. So, step away from the glitter for a moment while I give you my take:
The Dud: “I’m at the end of the roll already?!” wrapping paper
Not only is the amount of paper in a roll deceiving, but the quality is as well. This stuff will rip open before your kids even get to it.
The Deal: the gift bags
Here, what you see is what you get. For those oddly shaped or large items, there are plenty of cute (but also not-cute) bags to chose from.
The Dud: wreath window decals
Window decals are never deals.
The Deal: ornament packs
The Deal: ornament packs
Still can’t get over the fact that I won’t let you buy a wreath for your window? Why not take a few of these $1 ornament packs and go the diy route?
The Dud: fake poinsettias
The Dud: fake poinsettias
It doesn’t matter the season, this $1 faux plants aren’t going to fool anyone.
The Deal: colorful holiday ribbon
The Deal: colorful holiday ribbon
Don’t want to shell out the bucks for real poinsettias? If you want to make a big holiday statement, why not add a beautiful ribbon bow to one of those plants that you’ve brought in for the winter?
The Dud: the single ornament
The Dud: the single ornament
It’s has a fun dried cranberry look, but you can do better than $1 for this lightweight piece of plastic.
The Deal: holiday dishware
The Deal: the ornament pack
Not only do these large star ornaments make a glittery statement, but also they stretch your dollar by coming in pairs.
The Dud?: holiday dishware
These dishes are cute, but do they pass the dollar store dish test?
The Deal: holiday dishware
Yes! They’re microwave and dishwasher safe!! I love being able to set an entire table for the cost of one placesetting :).
Do you dollar store for the holidays? If you've made any amazing projects, please comment me a link so that I can check it out!
Head over to join in with the fun!
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20 comments:
I bought 4 holiday placemats at the dollar store and love them. I didn't want to spend a lot of money for something that sits on the table for a month, so dollar store placemats are the perfect solution!
I hear you on the wrapping paper- so not worth $1! The gift bags are where it's at- you'll pay at least 2-5 times that at any other store. Another thing I like at the dollar store are toys for my nieces and nephews. They are too young to know (or care) that it came from the dollar store, so I like to get them a stuffed animal, a fun wig, or some type of art project. I give them a slightly nicer gift as well, so the dollar store gift is just for bonus points. Pretty cheap for the adoration of the little ones!
I usually find that dollar store wrapping paper is pretty thin and you can see through it. So at times, I had to double it so the kiddies wouldn't see what I got them. They do have deals, but like you pointed out, it depends.
Thanks for sharing these deals! I love the ornaments and the holiday dishes. Looks like I'll be making a trip to the dollar store...
Love gift bags. Also loving the disco ball ornaments at our neighborhood dollar store - I have some non-holiday plans for those.
What great tips! they just put in a new dollar store right down the road from my house, I need to go check it out!
the holiday dishware is so cute!
Oh yes, dollar store gift bags are the bomb! I also buy $1 hardcover books there, remove the cheesy dust jackets and use them to beef up my collection of books on my living room shelves! No one ever reads the spines, anyway.
I am LOVING the $ store this season, we coordinated our Christmas tree with dollar store items!! I was able to get some crafting items, and they have plain white gift boxes that are 4/$1!! Wrap it up with a big red dollar store ribbon, and you have a classy gift wrap on the cheap!
Great post, I am going to need to grab some gift bags and ribbon from the dollar store. Thanks for the tip on the wrapping paper, I have never tried it and now I know not to!
Don't forget the fab tins {for homemade sweets!} and pretty boxes as a great gift-wrap alternative.
While many of the ornaments are a waste of a dollar, some a a real steal! I picked these retro trees up a year or two ago and really wished I nabbed more, as my local store doesn't have them this year: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dsgndbyrj/4150895431/in/set-72157622843093573/
@Amanda- You're right, you can grab some great toys at the dollar store. I'm always impressed witht the selection of High School Musical brand toys.
@Nicole- I agree, you can't count out all of the ornaments! It's all about comparing the quality with what you would pay in other stores. Oh, and I haven't counted out the tins! I actually snagged a few to pass out with my holiday treats :).
Kasey,
This is one of my favorite holiday posts! The wreath part cracked me up and I gave you a mental high five at the ornaments and ribbon part.
I've decided I'm a metallic person for holiday decorating, and I've tried to be thrifty with gold and silver ornaments and ribbons to perk our house up.
Um, and I didn't even know they carried such cute holiday dishes! I'm hitting up some dollar stores this weekend!
Thanks for this! I hadn't thought about going to the dollar store!!
Good points. I agree - and I didn't realize they had dishes.
Nice finds. I have not gone to a Dollar Store in years. You've inspired me to return to my thrifty roots.
Wow great post
I do dollar shop for the holidays and decorate with the dollar tree too!
In fact I have 2 kidish decorations that I just completed on my blog!
YES!! I had fun using the dollar store for my holiday decorating this year!! I have a few posts about it!
Love your post!! -we bought some of the holiday mugs, they've made drinking cocoa and lattes feel like a special treat!
~TidyMom
I love your blog!!!! I'm now a follower. Yes, I love the dollar store esp for seasonal items cause they are not used for very long before they get packed away
I love their halloween pencils which are good for trick or treaters. Parents love it too.
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