10 Items Worth Buying at the Dollar Tree

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Each week, Columbia SC Moms Blog features ways for you to save money in our Sunday Saver series.

dollar tree store
The Dollar Tree offers many reliable, decent quality items that are worth the trip.

I discovered the true wonders of the Dollar Tree when I was teaching school. Any teacher will tell you there is no better place to stock up on rewards, stickers, notepads, etc  — regardless of the time of year.

But I didn’t truly appreciate the wonders of the Dollar Tree until becoming a mom.

The Dollar Tree has been around for 50 years and has over 4,000 stores. Much of their merchandise stays the same throughout the year, but they have a great selection of seasonal merchandise that rotates in the front section of the stores. There are 11 locations in Columbia, as well as additional stores in Batesburg-Leesville, Camden, Newberry and Sumter (just to name a few).

Obviously there are items of varying quality in the store — after all, you’re only paying a dollar — but here’s a list of reliable, decent quality items that are worth stopping in to pick up.

1. Mylar Balloons

I cannot imagine paying the price that other stores charge for balloons when I can get them for a $1 at the Dollar Tree. Sure, maybe they don’t have the newest, most popular characters, but if you aren’t picky, you can pick up balloons for cheap! I challenge anyone to find something so cheap that will provide a small child with as many hours of entertainment as a helium filled mylar balloon.

2. Party Supplies

Again, you’re not going to find a selection of the latest popular kids’ characters, but they do offer paper plates, napkins, cups and flatware in every color of the rainbow. We hosted a “Daddy’s Birthday Party” at the beginning of May when my husband was gone for a couple of weeks. Our party supplies came from the Dollar Tree — and you’d never know the difference!

Got a sweet tooth? The selection of candy and snacks at the Dollar Tree is amazing!
Got a sweet tooth? The selection of candy and snacks at the Dollar Tree is hard to beat!

3. Candy and Snacks

The selection of candy, snacks and munchies at the Dollar Tree is unbeatable. The boxes of theater packaged candy make great additions to gifts! When you shop at the Dollar Tree for candy it’s pretty clear how much the markup on those items are everywhere else. I’ve found everything from Sweet Tarts and Spree to M&Ms and Cow Tails. And my absolute favorite was when I found bags of Andes mints.

4. Disposable Pans/Single Use Products

Taking a meal to a friend who just had a baby? Dollar Tree has a good selection of foil pans, as well as Ziploc bags and foil. You aren’t spending a fortune, and your friend doesn’t have to worry about returning your pan.

5. Seasonal Products and Decorations

Hosting a luau, Halloween party or New Year’s Eve party? Don’t spend a majority of your money on decorations. Pick up your leis/pumpkins/party horns at Dollar Tree, and match with some of the solid colored plates, fork and napkins they offer. (Save your budget for the booze!)

6. Pregnancy Tests

The Dollar Tree offers reliable pregnancy tests!
These tests really do work! I found out 3 out of 4 of my pregnancies through tests from the Dollar Tree!

Yes, you read that right. You can actually get a pregnancy test at the Dollar Tree and it’s reliable. All a pregnancy test does is test a simple chemical reaction of the HCG hormone in your urine reacting to whatever chemical has coated the test itself. Why spend $13 on two tests, when you can spend $13 on 13 tests? I discovered three out of four pregnancies using these handy helpers, and didn’t have to worry that I was spending a ton of money on something that I was literally throwing away. Just know if you plan to pick one up, they are stocked by the cash register at most Dollar Tree stores, and occasionally they will keep them behind the counter.

7. Gift Wrap

I have a huge amount of birthday and baby bags accumulated at my house that we reuse when similar occasions arise. But tissue paper and gift wrap are hard to use more than once. And most stores charge at least double (if not more) for these items. Why spend a lot of money on something someone is literally going to tear into and throw away? (And if you do find yourself needing a gift bag, Dollar Tree is definitely the go-to spot.)

8. Bribes

Come on, we all do it! Need some incentive for Junior to jump start his potty training? Promised your daughter she could pick out a reward for good behavior? The toys at Dollar Tree fit the bill without spending a ton of money. It’s also nice to keep a few random toys around for those occasions when you just “need” to pull out something new.

art supplies
Little ones wreak havoc on art supplies. Dollar Tree offers inexpensive options.

9. Art Supplies

We’ve bought pom-poms and pipe cleaners at the Dollar Tree, as well as poster paper and paintbrushes. It’s nice not to break the bank when you’re supplying little ones with art supplies. My three little boys wreak havoc on those kinds of things. I can buy a lot without feeling guilty.

10. Pantry Staples

Baking soda is baking soda, and at 2 for $1, you cannot beat that price. Dollar Tree also stocks spices, soups, vinegar and other items. And while you can sometimes get those items cheaper on sale at the grocery store, the Dollar Tree is a good place to stock up (and you don’t have to scour the ads for the sales)!

What items are you surprised to have found at the Dollar Tree? What are your must-haves? Leave your responses in the comments!

 

Photo credits: JeepersMedia / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0); jjandames / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0); roboppy / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0); Cindee Snider Re / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)

 

5 COMMENTS

  1. Thanks for sharing this. I am going to start shopping more there! I can’t even imagine how much money I have spent on containers to take meals! And holiday decorations!

  2. There is a helium shortage in the world, so perhaps consumers should avoid buying mylar balloons altogether. Please re-think listing #1 as an option.

    • I understand your concern regarding the world’s helium shortage, and for that reason my children aren’t allowed to get the balloons that are hand tied at birthday parties, Publix and etc. It’s definitely something to consider, and something that is a very occasional treat in my home.

  3. I am a crafter and the Dollar Tree is my number one stop for so many things. I love the cute little plastic serving trays for parties and the seasonal section is great. The gift bags are always great and come in handy and always saves money. Teacher gifts are a great grab here too. My kids like to get the $1 grab bags every once in a while. The quality is questionable sometimes, but you get what you pay for. I wasn’t aware of a helium shortage, but now I know. I am quite sure if it gets to the point of worry, the sales for balloons and such would stop. However, that is not the point of the post so cheers to Dollar Tree. I just hope with them buying Family Dollar branch, they will keep at the $1 mark.

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