What’s Really Good and Really Useful at the Dollar Tree?
We all have dollar store go-tos, and every so often, we find ourselves needing some odd or end there. It can be foam board for a kid’s project…or perhaps kraft gift bags or lots of bubbles for a children’s birthday party. These are items I recently found are especially useful, well-valued, and worth going back for (especially with the upcoming Pesach season).
Note that inventory is different in every Dollar Tree store. Some stores are well-organized and it’s easy to find things…and other stores are definitely not. If you do need bulk of an item and you can’t find it locally, I recommend buying online and “shipping to store” so you don’t have to pay shipping fees.
Betty Crocker Plastic Storage Containers
Ever since these Ziploc containers were discontinued, I have been looking for a new “red” storage solution for meat (since I use the Ziploc Twist n’ Loc, with blue covers, for dairy). When I spotted this, I was thrilled! They come in so many great sizes and I find the quality is just as good as comparable Ziploc or Rubbermaid products, of course at a much lower price. Stock up!
Do you want to keep the kids busy…for $1? Dollar Tree has activity books to keep kids of all ages entertained. From Sudoku…to Learn to Draw books…to connect-the-dot and maze books. While the littlest ones are always happy with a fresh coloring book, I find that these activity books interest a wider range of ages and even the boys too. And if your kids love playing with stickers, the selection is great and you don’t have to worry about them opening the packs and messing them up. Let ‘em stick and have fun.
Surprisingly Nice Disposables
You’re going to have to look past the colorful paper plates to find these…but there are actually some really nice options! Like silver forks with blank handles...silver-rimmed dinner and salad plates …and really gorgeous disposable large platters like these! They’re my favorite. Perfect for entertaining a crowd at a time when you might not have a lot of platters, like Pesach. They’re thin, but they look great and you won’t mind tossing them when the meal is done. Here’s another version in round.
This 3-section silver plastic tray is another winner for dips, as are these small silver bowls that also come in a smaller size. They all look really good in person.
Yes, you’ll need to spend a night with Goo Gone to get the stickers off and another night toiveling, but if you’re looking for elegant stemware in bulk to set a nice table for a simcha or when you’re hosting a big crowd (and you don’t have enough of your regular wine glasses or goblets), you really don’t need to look further. There’s really a nice range of colors and options and if you coordinate them nicely with your table setting, no one will know the difference. Note that if you do need 12 or more wine glasses, I recommend first scouting them out in the store (buy one to make sure it matches your tablecloth and setting nicely) and then ordering online via “ship to store.” This way, you get your wine glasses in a nice box with compartments (so they’re easy to store). This is way better than bringing them home individually wrapped in newspaper in a plastic bag.
A Cake Carrier You Can Leave Behind
A friend once delivered a cake to me, and when I went to remove it from the carrier so I could return it, she said, “Oh, don’t bother! It’s $1. I keep them on hand.” If you like to bake and bring cakes to your hosts and you always had trouble transporting them, this could be your solution.
Off-Season Full-Size Cereals
This is probably the only food item I’ve ever purchased from Dollar Tree. Although they usually carry off-brand cereals and mini boxes of regular cereals, sometimes you’ll find full-size boxes of special editions of brand name cereals on an end cap. These aren’t online and they’ll change from season to season. Some options I’ve seen over the winter include Pumpkin Spice Cheerios…Pumpkin Spice Special K…and my kids’ favorite, Sugar Cookie Toast Crunch (a version of Cinnamon Toast Crunch). I find that these limited-edition versions are usually very good!
What are your favorite dollar store goods?
Great ideas, going to check them out next time I’m at dollar tree. My go to’s are Helium Balloons for $1 & up; clear scotch tape 2/$1.
I don’t really go to dollar stores but I once purchased a box of tissues there and I haven’t looked back! Dollar tree carries both Puffs and Scottie’s, and if you do the math, the boxes come out way cheaper than a typical store that you would buy them from. I also find that they always have plenty in stock.
Yes! The scotties tissues! They’re great quality and so well priced. Sometimes they even have cases out which makes things even easier. They also have good deals on canned foods, and they carry different flavors of nosh (for example the green apple Mike and ikes) that aren’t so easy to find elsewhere.
Mini dip spoons, Shnapps cups , hot pretzels and minute maid ices 🙂 Dollar Tree is one of my favorite places to spend money, when I make it there!!
Dollar Tree has the best flavored coffee syrups!! Vanilla and hazelnut. I used to splurge on starbucks syrup, but once I tasted Dollar Tree brand, Im not looking back!
My favorite purchase at Dollar Tree is the women’s trouser socks, 2pair/$1. Yeah!
Their ship to store option is not so reliable…
I have been buying these things for years in Dollar Tree. Never found a difference in the quality of any food or item purchased there vs. a full priced store!
-VO5 Shampoo/conditioner (MY KIDS love this one)
-Hand soap (softsoap)
-Excedrin for a sudden migraine, I have them on hand, its compact, packaged, and cheap.
-Small packages of Kleenex tissues (perfect for the winter)
-Bathroom spray
-Mike and Ike & Dots (I put in a ziplock and use at home or car for a treat)
-Oats (definitely cheaper than a grocery)
-Ribbon (I stock up on all colors and use throughout the year)
-Thank you cards (6 or 8 count, as blank too, I use for teachers and bus drivers, counselors and therapists)
-Heart stickers (during Valentine’s)
-Mod podge & Tacky glue ( it’s mostly for 2-3 time use, I like it because it’s stores nicely and doesn’t take up too much room!
– Wyler’s drink mix (0 calories, I keep these and water bottles in my car (when it’s not too hot) and use quite often!
Hope this helps!
I didn’t come across a decent dollar tree in Brooklyn yet, but the one in Monticello is fairly decent. I love to stock up on tissues, clear large salad bowls, stemware, vases, shot cups, 6 oz bowls for dip, bic razors, bic pens, large calculators, and yes those cake carriers! Everyone is always thrilled when I tell them to keep the cake dome with the cake 😉
Favorite store
-nappy bags/diapers
-dental pics for the kids
-crazy glue
-traveling size Tylenol/Motrin/Benadryl
-helium balloons
-tooth picks
-ajax dishes detergent
Again posting cuz so many things I omitted on my last list! Please tell me someone even reads these comments!
-Double sided foam tape (in hardware aisle)
They come precut on a roll and oh. so many uses
-Over the door hooks (6 hooks, perfect for tights to dry after the wash, so as not to use up my drying rack space!)
-Rubber band pony holders (used for braids)
-Printed paper straws
– Full size storage collapsible- these are great for lightweight items that need a bin!
I even use them for coloring books etc, on the floor under my last shelf (in the playroom)
-Luigi’s Italian ices (freezer section, 4 cups)
And … You never know what you may find!
Yes we love all the comments and we love that our readers are sharing so many great tips with all of us!
I appreciate the mention of these comments on this post in your stories tonight!!! Now more people can benefit!! U rock!
glass cylinder vases are great for DIY projects that enhance any table. Just tape and spray paint and color that matches your table. I have them half gold spray painted for shabbos. looks gorgeous
Someone taught me to buy a spray there its called oxygen orange. Its a household cleaner .works very well For clothing stains. And for household stuff. Just did the base of my bosch mixer with ut. Came out shiny new
Funny birthday cards 2/$1
All kinds of birthday candles, even numbers
Contact paper for pesach in wood or diamond patterns
Drawer liners
Betty crocker double sided spatula, the BEST
Wall decals for kids room
Arm band reflector
$1 flip flops.
Colored glitter glue sticks
Birthday decorations
Great trays with covers for veggie platters and cookie platters
West soy soymilk
Beer steins
Holiday decor, cheap.
Book report covers and floppy 1″ looseleafs in august
Artificial flowers and greenery
Decorative marbles, rocks. Shells
Floral foam rings and floral tape
School calendars and wall calendars
Graduation decor
Combs and hairbrushes
Pennysticks pretzels, no sugar or corn syrup
Dust mitt
This was super helpful!
Pregnancy tests
I spent over $10 a box at CVS before I found out that the dollar store sells them!
They might not be as strong as the name brands, but that just means that you would have to wait a few more days before taking the test