How to Find Decent Gifts at a Dollar Store

Can you really find anything worth buying at a dollar store? You can if you plan ahead and shop carefully. In the midst of all the plastic junk and useless trinkets, there are treasures to be found by savvy shoppers. Save money on gift giving by checking out your local dollar store first.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Make a list before you go. Include everybody you need to shop for, such as relatives, friends and teachers. Next to each name, write down a couple of possible gift ideas. Also include something descriptive about each person, if you can, such as "cat person," "collects rocks" or "likes blue." Arming yourself with information beforehand will help you make better gift choices.

2. Skip anything that looks ridiculously cheap. When something catches your eye, pick it up and look at it closely. If the color is rubbing off, the item is cracked anywhere or it looks sloppily glued together and ready to fall apart at the slightest provocation, put it back. It's not worth even a dollar.

3. Check out the calendars, especially when shopping for year-end holidays. At the start of a new year, most people need several new calendars throughout the house--maybe one in the kitchen, one in the home office and one for each child's room. Paying a buck for a calendar beats paying $12 or more at a typical retail shop.

4. Help your kids buy gifts for grandma, grandpa and other relatives. Family members enjoy getting presents from little ones and certainly don't expect anything lavish from them. Offer guidance, but ultimately let the child pick the present. Let the child explain to the relative, in person or over the phone, any special meaning behind the gift. Grandma or Grandpa will probably cherish the gift, regardless of what it is, because of the giver.

5. Explore home decor options. Many dollar stores offer a good selection of candles, frames, small vases, serving trays and other pretty things to display around the house. Before making your purchase, inspect the item carefully. Hold it. Touch it. Smell it. If anything is off, put it back. But if the product feels sturdy, smells fine, has a decent finish and is attractive to you, then it's probably a good choice.

6. Look for hidden gems. Photo albums, journals, boxed note cards, dish towels, hair clips, sticker books for kids--any of these dollar store items can make excellent stocking stuffers or stand-alone gifts.

7. Stock up on greeting cards and wrapping paper. Cards are usually two for a dollar here. You can save a lot of money by buying your gift bags, bows, rolls of gift wrap and tissue sheets at dollar discount stores.

Tips & Warnings

• Always inspect every item thoroughly. Much of the merchandise at discount stores is flawed. But many items, amazingly enough, are perfectly fine. Double- and triple-check your selections to be sure nothing is wrong with them before making your purchase. Dollar stores typically do not offer refunds or exchanges.

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