What to Get
Bagged Gift Items: Greeting cards are .50 cents. Gift bags and tissue paper is $1 a package. This is the ONLY place I will buy these items. Some big box stores have now opened a “dollar” section for greeting cards, but the selection is very poor compared to Dollar Tree. Gift bags at other stores can cost upwards of $3 to $4, especially if you’re gift is big enough to need a jumbo bag. Stick to Dollar Tree for all your gift wrapping needs.
Bread: Dollar Tree carries a full loaf of bread for $1. Great Value white bread normally runs around $1.19 in my area, and DT bread is just as good. This one is a no brainier!
Personal Hygiene Items: If you’re a couponer, you know that you can get most of your shampoos, soaps and deodorants for free from time to time, but if you’re just trying to live frugally then Dollar Tree’s personal items are a great option. DT sells full size shampoos, body wash, bar soap and deodorant that work just as well as some of your lower end products at the big box stores. Plus, they often have smaller sizes of the name brand products; including in their make-up section.
Hair Tools and Accessories: Dollar Tree has an AMAZING selection of bows, ribbons, clips and elastics at a great price. I've never had a problem with any of the clips, and only once has a pack of headbands been poor quality (All three snapped in two on top of my head… but I also have a big head, so I’m not blaming the headbands). On top of this, they also carry hair tools like heatless curlers, combs and brushes in a variety of sizes of styles. No need to spend high dollar on these basic items.
What to Skip:
Gift Wrap: Section is mostly in reference to #1 on the What To Get list. White Gift Cards, bags and tissue paper are GREAT to purchase at Dollar Tree, gift wrap is not. I noticed this last Christmas, when I bought several rolls to wrap multiple gifts. The rolls from Dollar Tree were not only thin and ripped easily, but the roll contained less than half the paper that a $3 roll from Target contained. I was able to wrap around 2 medium sized gifts with one roll of wrapping paper at Dollar Tree, and that’s if the gift’s sharp corners didn't poke a hole in the thin paper. Next Christmas, I’ll spend a little more for better quality paper.
Batteries: These normally come in a pack 1 to 2 batteries per pack, which on the surface is a good deal. The problem I've run into with the Dollar Tree batteries is they don’t last! It is much more cost effective to buy a pack of batteries for $2 or $3 that will last over 4 times as long.
Paper Products: Unless you have a coupon for a brand name item, the price per inch is a better deal at Target or Wal-Mart. As far as the “store brand” Dollar Tree products, they are mostly of the 1-ply variety. You’re better off paying a little more for better quality. Their plastic wrap and foil have been poor quality compared to what I pay a little more for at the larger stores.
Dish and Laundry Detergent: I have two major problems with dish and laundry detergent from DT: size and quality. Every name brand detergent is in such small bottles, it’s not worth it to spend $1 when I can get one slightly bigger for the same price on sale! The store brand detergents, while in a nice sized container, are so watered down and thin that it’s hard to believe there is enough cleaner in the container to do the job. Bottom line, skip it.
Hydrogen Peroxide: The same size that Dollar Tree carries can be found at both Walmart and Target for around .89 cents.
Canned Vegetables: Dollar Tree will have their canned vegetables priced anywhere from $.79 to $1, but that isn't a good deal. Most grocery stores have their canned goods priced around $.85 but will often fall even cheaper with a good sale. Dollar Tree is also notorious for putting close to expiration items on the shelf, so stocking up on canned goods at DT is never a good idea.
Dish and Laundry Detergent: I have two major problems with dish and laundry detergent from DT: size and quality. Every name brand detergent is in such small bottles, it’s not worth it to spend $1 when I can get one slightly bigger for the same price on sale! The store brand detergents, while in a nice sized container, are so watered down and thin that it’s hard to believe there is enough cleaner in the container to do the job. Bottom line, skip it.
Hydrogen Peroxide: The same size that Dollar Tree carries can be found at both Walmart and Target for around .89 cents.
Canned Vegetables: Dollar Tree will have their canned vegetables priced anywhere from $.79 to $1, but that isn't a good deal. Most grocery stores have their canned goods priced around $.85 but will often fall even cheaper with a good sale. Dollar Tree is also notorious for putting close to expiration items on the shelf, so stocking up on canned goods at DT is never a good idea.
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