What do you purchase at Dollar Stores?

[mrspaha]

Dollar Tree (everything for $1) has been great for getting seasonal knick knacks, decorations, etc. I always get gift bags there too and little treat bags for baking gifts. As others have said, the disposable aluminum pans and even some cheap storage containers for passing out leftovers. I've had good luck a few times in the past finding some really good oven mitts for a buck. Oh, and also commuter cups (just like the cosco ones that cost about$8 or $9 at walmart.

The other "dollar stores" that really just sell things in dollar increments like $5 each or 2 for $5, etc; I consider those almost a ripoff. I have NEVER found what I thought was a good price; plus the few brand names I remember being interested in, seemed to be in smaller packages.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I buy:

Scented hand soap
Yardley soaps
Dog treats
Some cleaning supplies
aluminum pans (once in a blue moon)

I'm sure there is more, but that's all that comes to mind.

The kids used to love that place when they were younger. They still find stuff they like, but not as much.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Books (I've found some really good ones)
Mylar balloons
Drinking glasses (found some great, thick pub-style glasses)
Cheap vases
Sharpies
Those condensed washcloths (son loves them)
Found some huge magnetic sheets I used to make snowman parts for our fridge for Christmas.
Streamers
Glow sticks
Plastic bins
Braided "trivets"
Bubbles
Index cards, push pins, poster board, etc
Crossword puzzle and sudoku books
Pompoms, pipe cleaners, feathers, foam, etc for crafts
Have bought classroom supplies
mittens
Pebbles, river rocks
Frames for when son gets award at school


I'm sure there's more, but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[Stargazer]

I love our Dollar Tree -- I just recently found the frozen Minute Maid lemonade there and it's so good (sell by date isn't past and it's just like the sell at the ballgames). The list varies, but I almost always get:

• Love to get seasonal items there - just stocked up on Valentine doilies and ribbon the other day
• Hurricanes (though, I haven't seen the kind I like in a while - I blame Pinterest )
• White unscented jar candles
• Cut glass candle holders
• Flickering flameless tea lights
• Craft foam
• Drinking glasses -- the last glasses we had chipped all the time, so I happened to pick some up at the Dollar Tree, and I LOVE them. Super thick glass and holds more oz than our last glasses
• Foil sheets
• Organizing baskets/bins
• Disney ziploc bags
• Glow sticks
• Gift bags
• Party supplies (plates, napkins, cups, plastic cutlery, tablecloths)

 

[DisneyATlast]

Pregnancy test.

This was needed after our Disneyland trip to celebrate our oldest daughter's graduation from high school.

The cheapskate in me almost died when I saw how much the pharmacy wanted for a pregnancy test. I remembered there were tests at the checkout at Dollar Tree. So, at one day late the $1 test confirmed that I had a SURPRISE headed my way in nine months.

When I went to the doctor I told them the home test had "only" been a dollar store test and my doctor laughed and said they were no more prone to false positives than the most expensive urine tests. He said they might not be as sensitive as some, and as such might give a false negative if taken too early, but the positives were reliable.

He then also said that in almost every case of a "false positive" pregnancy test there had been a pregnancy, but that an early miscarriage had taken place.

The mylar balloons are great. Our store wil also refill ballooons, so some of our Birthday balloons have had a long and productive life.

I also buy hardback books at our Dollar Store. Some great books came to our house that way!

As to food items my Dollar Store carries cookies from Canada and the U.S. And I will buy those, but not food items from elsewhere.

I bought my pregnancy tests (plural) at the dollar tree! I was skeptical about the quality so I bought three and it was still less than 1/4 of the price of the "good ones." They were accurate...all of them.

I buy a lot of party supplies there like balloons, plastic forks, napkins, etc. I went there before Christmas and got some of the basic little red bows that had bells in the middle to tie on the tree and to use for gift wrapping. I got tape and some tinsel there as well (which I always just throw away when taking the tree down). You can also buy a large pack of cute, decorative nametag stickers to put on gifts which would be $2-3 elsewhere for the same quantity/quality.

Now that I think of it, I find holidays to be the best time to take advantage of the dollar tree. When my daughter wanted to be a "butterfly fairy" one year I bought a wand there. They always have cute trinkets for Easter, Valentine's, etc. as well.

It is good for school supplies (certain ones, not all) and scrapbooking supplies also. When I first moved out of my parent's house, I bought TONS of stuff from the dollar tree! I never would've survived had it not been for that place!

Glow in the dark necklaces/bracelets...I would always buy those before going to a parade/fireworks show where they would sell the same exact ones for $5! I'd get 3 in a package for $1 and buy a few packs to give to the kids sitting nearby. Why not?

 

[DisneyATlast]

I didn't read all the posts so it may have been mentioned, but if you're a teacher or know a teacher, they have some really cool stuff there to decorate classrooms and/or use in the classroom!

 

[50sjayne]

glow sticks
ponchos
handwarmers
halloween decorations--the black crows mainly, we create a scary 'flock' on our window sill every year.
cards
makeup
bodywash--the scrubby type
cat toys
soft pretzels from the freezer (really good)

I have a guilty pleasure--our dollar tree does grab bags. I always at least get my $1's worth.

I was just going there to get some glow sticks for my bike--thanks for the other ideas.

 

[girli565]

I also bought several pregnancy tests at the Dollar Tree. LOL! I took a regular digital test but still couldn't believe it so I bought a bunch at the dollar tree and those were positive too. If the cheapy dollar one said I was pregnant I guess I had to believe it

 

[Trish.Glenn]

Now the dollar trees near me, south of Boston, take coupons!!! I have gotten tons of stuff for free or pennies!!

 

[redrosesix]

We don't have Dollar Tree here, but we have several other dollar stores, and they're great. Here are some things that may or may not be at Dollar Tree that we regularly buy here:

paintbrushes and roller refills (especially roller refills, they're not worth washing out)
swiffer type cloths - wet and dry
swiffer type dusters
ziploc bags - sandwich size, which we use for everything
string mop heads - I just HATE stinky old mops, I replace them if they look icky or smell
these nifty pot scrubbers with handles - safe on non-stick pans
party platters so I don't have to care about getting mine back at an event

Ours often have clothing and other items that is name brand or store brand. I don't know why they have it but if it's something we need I get more -- like when they had George sports bras (originally from Walmart) in exactly my daughter's size. Those types of things aren't available all the time or at every store. You have to basically do all of the aisles.

 

[njmom47]

Oh yes, I forgot that I buy powdered French Vanilla coffee creamer, 7 oz for $1 as opposed to paying $4.39 in the grocery store!

 

[froggy922]

I buy many of the things PP have mentioned: glow sticks, balloons, party supplies, holiday decorations, knick knacks, paper products like napkins paper plates, sandwich bags. But I always make Dollar Tree my go to place for my vacation (especially WDW) stuff: glow sticks, batteries, ponchos, collapsible laundry bins, hanging pocket organizers, ziplock bags, first aid kits. I've even found misting fans there before! I also stock up on little toys, that I use to keep my kids entertained like coloring books, Disney character toys, etc. I love the Dollar Tree!!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I get vacation stuff at the Dollar store too. One of my favorite things is a pop up laundry hamper. It's the coolest thing. Works fine.

 

[littlezar]

We have lots of Dollar Tree stores close by!


Things I've bought or buy regularly:

Straws
Glow sticks/bracelets
Sand toys
Posterboard - white, colors, the kind with foam in the middle
Books - I've gotten 4 different Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum series books
Retractable & regular Sharpie markers
NY Bagel Chips - Wish I bought more! Only bought 1, loved them, went back & found them sold out and then saw them at Walmart (I think) for $3 a bag
Mylar Balloons
Coconut Ginger Softsoap in the pump

 

[leahjade]

Just bought the dishcloths - they are soooo soft and you get two in a pack!

 

[geishagirl81]

We homeschool, and get a ton of random things there for projects, craft supplies, colored tissue paper, wooden clothes pins, etc.

The only cleaning supply I buy there is Comet Powder because nothing works better to clean out our kitchen sink.

Also, aluminum baking dishes are cheapest there for making freezer meals.

I too buy gift bags, but their gift wrap is terrible in my opinion- thin and rips while trying to wrap the gift.

Last week I found the elusive pop hampers to take with us to WDW. I also buy glow sticks for trips there, Disney printed lunch bags for snacks, and so on.