What are the Best Things to Buy at the Dollar Store?
If you’ve been around for long, you likely know that I love the Dollar Store. I’ve shopped the Dollar Store for my Office Makeover, my One Hour Organization Challenge, my boys’ LEGO Birthday Party, and my Christmas Wrapping Station.
But not everything is a deal at the Dollar Store. So if you are wondering what are the best things to buy at the Dollar Store, here are my Top 10 Items that I typically buy there and why:
What to Buy at the Dollar Store:
1. Seasonal décor: When it comes to Easter baskets, Christmas decorations, Valentine’s cards and more, the Dollar Store is the first place I stop. The selection of items is typically extensive and you will be hard-pressed to find re-usable baskets and decor for just $1 elsewhere!
2. Gift Bags/Wrapping Paper: I recognize that not all wrapping paper is created the same and sometimes it pays to spend a bit more when it comes to gift wrap. But I have been impressed many times by the quality of paper and gift bags I find at my Dollar Store. You’ll pay upwards of $3 or $4 for the large gift bags elsewhere! Besides – why spend more on something that will soon be ripped up and thrown in the trash?
3. Greeting Cards: Oh, Greeting cards – you are the bane of my existence. Too often, I find myself still searching for the perfect card an hour after just “stopping by” the store to pick one up. I realize that we want to “care enough to send the very best”, but when was the last time you examined a card to determine if it was brand name or not?
Many Dollar Stores carries perfectly good cards for just $0.50 each. Why not stock up for the year and say goodbye to the “Perfect Card Search” once and for all!
4. Party Supplies/Tableware: Whenever it’s time to throw a party (like my boys’ LEGO party), I head straight to the Dollar Store for my plasticware, tablecloths and serving dishes. I love the selection! And you likely won’t find the same deals at your local Party City.
5. Cosmetics: I realize that not all dollar stores are created equal, my local Dollar Tree carries brand name cosmetics like Maybelline, e.l.f., Physician’s Formula and more. (In fact, the last time I was at the Dollar Tree, I was able to snag some Maybelline eye liner for FREE with my $1 off coupon!)
You won’t find all of your cosmetic needs at the Dollar Store, but why spend a fortune when you can get brand name lipstick, eye shadow and more for a buck?!
6. Storage containers: This may be my all-time favorite reason to shop at the Dollar Store. The storage containers I have bought at the Dollar Store are the gift that keeps on giving. Whether they be to solve my wrapping chaos or other problem areas, the Dollar Store has restored order to my life on multiple occasions with their amazing selection of containers.
7. Mugs/glasses: Years ago, my Mom (a.k.a. The Dollar Store Diva) bought me a set of red mugs (seen in my video here). To this day, they are my favorites and likely no one who has used them would have guessed their origin.
8. Sandwich baggies: Not only is there a large selection of perfectly good generic baggies at most Dollar Stores, but the Dollar Tree typically carries Hefty baggies. Often there is a coupon available to make them just $0.50 per box – which is a steal!
9. Hand Towels/Wash Cloths: My boys typically shop at the Dollar Store each year at Christmas for family members. Every year, I cross my fingers that one of them will give me dish cloths. It’s a great excuse to throw the old ones out and start fresh!
10. Office Supplies: Not every office supply item is a great deal (especially if you like to stock up during Back to School sales at other stores), but I like to grab folders, notebooks, pencils, paper clips, colored pencils and other items at the Dollar Store when I am in need. And thankfully, I have a lot of great storage containers for them all. 🙂
How about you? Which items do you like to buy at the Dollar Store?
By the way, did you know that the Dollar Tree accepts coupons? Check out my weekly Dollar Tree Coupon Matchup list and score lots of stuff for FREE!
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Did not know they took coupons!
I like getting drawing pads for my kids. They are young so they don’t need the fancy paper from the craft store or even the grocery store. 1$ for a nice thick pad of drawing paper is a steal! 🙂
I have found that for freezer cooking, the Dollar Tree has the BEST selection of foil pans. Lots of sizes to choose from and some are 3 for $1! At the grocery store or even Wal Mart they are waypre expensive.
I use the dollar tree for everything, but my best find has to be the Betty Crocker kitchen supplies. The red silicone double sided spatulas work better than anything else I’ve ever bought. I literally have five of them because I use them daily and then I can use multiple for different sauces or dishes at once.
I stock up on stickers for the kids . . . some packs include up to 400 stickers for $1! I also love getting glow sticks (that I throw in the tub for glow in the dark bath time!) My Dollar Tree always has 3M brand brown postal wrap. It’s the best! I use it as wrapping paper and either let the kids go to town with drawing designs, stamping or stickering OR I wrap pretty ribbons or add a $1 store flower etc. to make it the perfect package. Great quality paper, brand name and multi-purpose. It can’t be beat! Oh and one last thing . . . from the kitchenware . . . instead of paying ridiculous amounts of money for toy kitchen supplies from toy stores – I just get my kids the “real thing” for a dollar. They love knowing that their spatulas and basters look more like mama’s!
Reading glasses! As many as I lose track of you can’t beat a buck a piece. I stock up at the Dollar Tree.
I know it isn’t something everyone needs all the time, but pregnancy tests! They work just as well as the 10-15 dollar ones at the drug store, and if you are trying over several months for a baby that can really add up.
Yes! I used these trying to get pregnant with my second. Saved me a fortune!
I get dryer sheets, Picture frames, magic erasers, sensitive teeth toothpaste!! (my dentist recommended I use it) and the name brand is really expensive and the Dollar stuff works just as well and made in the USA!
I LOVE the Dollar Tree!! I frequent all of my local stores, probably more than I should. I have a small cookie business, so it’s my go-to for platters and bowls. I also participate in vendor events/fund raisers, so I go to the dollar store for storage, transport & display items. Btw.. Their banana chips are fabulous, I share them with my dogs.
Our dollar store has huge refill size bottles of generic window cleaner. Can’t be beat!
If you figure out which brands are good and which aren’t, nail polish. I hate the idea of paying 3+ bucks for a little bottle, so I Dollar Tree it!
Flower pots, for sure – all different sizes, either plain terracotta or decorative! Also arts and crafts supplies, craft paint in particular.
So… let me get this straight: you can use manufacturer coupons at dollar stores? Seriously? Mind: blown!
Yep, Lindsay. It’s a relatively new policy – isn’t it awesome? 🙂
Canada or US?
I’m in the US, Patti.
I love to get Candy like Dum dum suckers and smarties for my daughter, At Giant Eagle, they are at least $2 for a less quantity bag.
Puzzles- I’m a mom who likes to challenge her child, especially a very strong headed Pre-Schooler who is very smart, So I challenge her with Puzzles and memory games, They have a HUGE selection of Puzzles 24 pieces, 48 Pieces and more. They also have flash cards! So very cool!
Magic Erasers, Works just like Mr. Clean ones.
Containers, Organizing. Picture frames, love the magnetic ones!
I have an Electric Stove, they have drip pans and Burner covers.
Great ideas, Laurie! I buy picture frames as well and had fun spray painting some for decorations at Christmas time. So much cheaper than buying decorations and fun, to boot!
Ooh jus scrolling thru and saw this. I was wondering how those erasers did but my cheapo self never bought them to try. Now they’re on my list for the next DT trip. Thank you!
Also, I have to second the comment about the dishes — now, it depends on your individual Dollar Tree, but I have the greatest dishes, all kinds of color combos, formal, casual, and all told I probably spent 30 bucks. Everyone always comments how nice my table looks, and I just laugh and laugh.
I agree, Nev! I just bought more mugs the other day and I have some of the cutest yellow bowls from the Dollar Tree. I use them for decoration!
Candles! Both tea votives and those column candles, so much cheaper even than Walmart!
Also, I always check the remaindered books — you’d be surprised, sometimes there’s some really good stuff there.
Be careful with the column candles. Some that come from China have lead in the wick, also true of the scented ones in the jar.
Love Dollar Tree! Our DT has a frozen foods section. I stock up on frozen fruit like pineapple, mango, peaches, and berries. We love smoothies and the selection of fruit and price cannot be beat!!
I have not tried the frozen foods section yet, Tracy. Frozen fruit for a dollar is a steal!
I also get frozen fruit there. I usually go with the blueberries because it’s a larger bag. Also, I buy shelf stable soy milk and non gmo popcorn kernels.
Whole wheat bread, whole wheat bagels, apricot preserves, bags of frozen fruit (pineapple & berries), artificial flowers for craft projects, solar lights for the yard/craft projects. Love my Dollar Tree!!!!
I was wondering about the solar lights, Alisa. I might need to give them a try!
Hairbrushes, hairbands, granola bars, fruit cups, toilet cleaner, bleach spray, brooms, mops, dryer sheets, shower caps, rain ponchos, travel size shampoo containers, toothbrushes, toothpaste. These are a few of my favorite things! With a family of 6 I have to stretch my dollar!
I like how you think, Janay! Great ideas.
great finds-I love the gift bags at dollar tree. Thanks for sharing those good ideas to buy there. I try not to get a cart when I go in there because I fill it up!!!
Oh, that’s funny, Alison – I’m always disappointed because I think the cart is too small! 🙂