Find festive plates, throws, gift wrap, and more at affordable prices
Published by: AARP
While people are ready to deck the halls and load up on presents, inflation is still a real issue. That means many shoppers are trying to make their dollar stretch further. And what better place to stretch your dollar than at dollar stores, which offer a wide variety of holiday essentials at affordable prices. Decorations? Yes. Gifts? For sure. Greeting cards? Those, too.
1. Festive wrapping paper and bows
You can sparkle your presents with festive and budget-friendly wrapping paper and more at dollar stores.
2. All you need to deck the halls
Decorating the front door and fireplace mantel is popular as people look to make their homes warm and welcoming for visiting family and friends.
Dollar stores have a wide selection of decorations, including glittery garland, wreaths, and tree ornaments. Metallic ornaments are still popular this year; glass balls provide a vintage look. Dollar stores offer a wide palette of colors — from traditional red and green to soft pink, white and aqua — in various sizes and finishes.
3. Themed baking supplies, and containers to go with the season
If you’re cooking for Christmas, disposable foil pans that cost as little as $1 will make cooking and cleanup easier. You’ll also find holiday-themed containers for storing leftovers in your refrigerator or to fill with take-home treats for guests.
4. Glamorous dishes to make your table sparkle
Dollar stores have plenty of other disposables, including colorful paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils, and even plastic wine glasses.
Dollar stores also offer stoneware and holiday-themed ceramic dinnerware. You can find more unusual items, too, but they cost more than $1. Dollar General has a holiday-themed glass pitcher and ceramic butter dish. Dollar Tree sells a two-tiered metal tray, perfect for displaying sweets.
5. White faux fur comfort decor
One of the hottest home decor trends this holiday season is white faux fur. It’s warm, and cozy and goes with anything else in your home.
6. Tree skirts and collars in popular plaids, sparkly touches
A tree skirt will help put the finishing touch on your Christmas tree. Or try something new this year by replacing your tree skirt with a tree collar, which takes up less space so it’s good for smaller spaces.
7. Holiday towels, throws, and pillows for overlooked rooms
Houseguests probably will enter the bathroom at some point, so make a couple of simple changes to add some holiday cheer.
If any guests stay overnight, make your guest room extra cozy and joyful with a few additions to add holiday color and texture. Guests can snuggle up with plush throws in plaids and holiday colors from most dollar stores.
8. Candles that make your house smell like Christmas
Scented holiday candles are an easy way to achieve a warm, cozy atmosphere if you’re entertaining or hosting houseguests.
9. Crafts and more crafts to keep the little ones entertained
If you’re looking for activities to do with your grandchildren, you’ll find plenty of DIY supplies like ribbons, markers, and glue. Dollar General and Dollar Tree also offer several DIY kits to make your tree ornaments, tabletop decorations, gingerbread houses, or felt finger puppets, starting at $1.
10. Toys and treats to keep Fido and Fifi occupied, too
Pet owners like to shower their furry friends with extra attention during the holidays. More people over 50 (up to 87 million combined) typically buy pet gifts for Christmas, much more so than younger pet owners, according to a report by the American Pet Products Association.