Cha-Ching on a Shoestring™

Living Large on a Limited Budget

The Dollar Store Diva: A Hostess Gift

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Here’s another installment from The Dollar Store Diva!

When my sister and her husband came for Thanksgiving dinner, Sharon presented me with a hostess gift. It was all pretty and festive–we oohed and aahed about it. (See picture.) She admitted that everything in the package was from the Dollar Store. “The Dollar Store!” we gasped. “Everything?” “Yes, everything.”

A can of my favorite puffy mints, a lovely white towel, some Thank You note cards, and Christmas gift tags. She even threw in a couple of colorful Christmas balls for some extra festivity. All set on a pretty glass plate, wrapped in clear plastic wrap, and tied with a bow.

I was reminded of the obvious that day: a gift does not need to be expensive to bring pleasure. And I knew that there were endless opportunities at the Dollar Store for me to bless others during this season of giving. I will be sharing some of those gift ideas in the days to come.

Meet The Dollar Store Diva!

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This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

My Mom is not only the creative woman who was the brains behind the Cha-Ching! Couponing System, she also carries a special power.  If she were a Super Hero, she would hands down earn the title of Dollar Store Diva.  Which is why I am SO excited to share with you that over the next few weeks, I have asked my Mom to share lots of creative ways to make your Christmas fabulous using Dollar Store finds. I think you are going to be surprised and delighted!  Here is her first installment:

Another Day, Another Dollar

Recently when we had a few friends over for dinner, I heard some shocking news: a Dollar Store that I frequent is CLOSING!

Nice way to ruin an otherwise lovely evening.

I am not a shopper; I’m really not. When I finally get to the mall, the cashier practically has to pull the money from my frugal fists. But I have a love affair with Dollar Stores.

::Why the Dollar Store?

I have one husband, six children, their spouses, and—at last count–12 grandchildren. Do you realize how many birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and Christmases that adds up to? For a non-shopper, this can be more than a bit overwhelming, so I have reluctantly started giving cash instead of gifts. Though I know my family appreciates the money, it’s hard for me not to give them something they can rip the paper off.  Here’s where the Dollar Store comes in.

::Hidden Treasures

When I was a little girl, I devoured Nancy Drew mysteries. In fact, I wanted to be Nancy Drew. My trip to the Dollar Store is when I get to put on my Nancy Drew hat. I hop out of my blue roadster (OK—my 12-year-old Honda Civic), pull out my magnifying glass (OK—adjust my bifocals), and push the cart down aisle after aisle. I bend low; I stretch high, scouring the shelves for hidden treasures.

When shopping, the recommendation is typically (for obvious reasons): no impulse buying. But that is the opposite for me. For me, the Dollar Store is about “impulse buying”. Other than a few standards, a visit to the Dollar Store is an adventure in looking for something I don’t know I want.

::Get ready for an adventure!

Christmas, above all, is a time when I need to take advantage of the opportunities a Dollar Store offers. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing with you some creative ideas for gift wrapping, stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, and gifts for teachers, most from the Dollar Store. And I’ll tell you how I solve my no-paper-to-rip-off issue.

So, get ready—grab your magnifying glass, hop in your roadster, and start your treasure hunt. You’re going to be pleasantly surprised.

Note from Kaley: To get you in the Dollar Store spirit, why not take a wild guess as to how many of the items in the picture above are from the Dollar Store.  Just for fun, leave a comment below with your best guess!