Curious about the best things to buy at the Dollar Tree? Wondering what Dollar Tree products to avoid? Here are 45+ Dollar tree items that our family LOVES (as well as a few things we’ve found to be duds).
Best Things to Buy at the Dollar Tree
I can’t go more than a few weeks without writing another post about the Dollar Tree – I’m a little obsessed!
But, it seems like I’m in good company, because so many of YOU seem to be just as big of fans.
One of the hard things about the Dollar Tree is knowing what products are actually a good find, and while products, are, well, worth a dollar (or less).
I will say that I’m a little more hesitant to buy off brands from the Dollar Tree – but fortunately, they carry MANY brand name products for great prices (make sure to read my secrets to shopping at the Dollar Tree for more insider tips).
So, I thought I’d share a few of the times that either I LOVE, or that I’ve been told is amazing. I recently did a survey on Facebook about this very topic, so I’m excited to share these with you (as well as a few items that I’ve found to be junk!).
Make sure to let me know what I may have missed!
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What to Buy at the Dollar Tree
1) Bubbles
We bought our boys some of these for Christmas, and I am AMAZED at how good they are. I’m sure there are different kinds of bubbles there, but these were the Spiderman ones (it says Powered by Miracle Bubble). I believe it’s these licensed character bubbles. Bubbles for days!
2) Greeting Cards
This is one of the #1 things people recommended from the Dollar Tree, and I have to agree. Greeting cards are other stores are getting more and more expensive – it is crazy. There are some really weird ones at the Dollar Tree, but you can find a lot of really nice ones, too.
3) Socks
I especially love the fuzzy socks!
4) Sharpies
5) Floss Picks
I have actually heard that a lot of doctor’s offices get pregnancy tests from the Dollar Tree. It may not write out the words “pregnant” for you, but it gets the job done. You can start saving for baby by buying these!
7) Bag Clips
My mom loves these little metal bag clips that you can buy at the Dollar Tree. Perfect for chips!
My mom said that she sometimes has a hard time finding these, but when they are in stock, you should stock up!
9) Soaps
The Dollar Tree has lots of kinds of soap – liquid hand soap, bars of soap, dish soap…it’s all great!
10) Foam board
Now, most of you probably have no use for foam board, but it’s rather popular for bloggers. While it’s several dollars at most other stores, you can get white and black (sometimes) for just $1.
11) Parchment Paper
12) Wrapping Paper
The rolls aren’t that huge, but they have some cute prints. I found that one roll wrapped about 4-5 medium sized presents this Christmas.
13) Balloons
The helium balloons are hard to beat. However, one of the Dollar Trees near our old house hardly had ANY in stock. I’ve found that most normally do, but I would call ahead if you are looking for something super specific.
14) Glow Sticks
We love glow sticks at the Dollar Tree! They have so many different kinds – necklaces, bracelets, wands, glasses….my boys love these.
15) Vases
One reader said that she got a great deal on vases for a wedding. I recently looked at the vases at the Dollar Tree, and they seem to be pretty good quality!
17) Q-Tips
18) Craft Supplies (pom poms, glitter, etc.).
19) Tissue Paper
20) Poster Board
21) Toothbrushes
22) Toothpaste
While I had several people recommend this, one person said she heard it wasn’t very good. I think if you stick to the name brands that are sold, you should be okay though!
23) Netty Pot
24) Scotch Tape
Two packs for one dollar – we loved these at Christmas time!
27) Saran Wrap
28) Gift Bags
My mom said she wasn’t a big fan of the BIG gift bags. However, I like most of the gift bags I’ve gotten there. I think the baby shower ones are especially cute.
29) Packs of Thank you cards
30) Activity and Coloring Books for Kids
31) Aluminum Pans
These are great for freezer meals, taking dinner to other people, etc.
32) Picture Frames
They are pretty cheap, but this is where we buy most of our frames! Picture frames can be so expensive! They have a wide variety, as well.
33) Candy for Movies
You know those boxes of candy they sometimes sell at the movie theater for like $5? Just stop by the Dollar Tree first and pick up a few boxes for $1 a box. Much better deal!
34) Candy Bars
When I was talking to my mom, I mentioned that I didn’t think candy bars were very good deals here. She said, “Are you serious? Candy bars are often more than $1 nowadays.” I guess I don’t buy a lot of candy bars! But they do have a large variety of full-size candy bars (as well as the little strips of miniature ones).
35) Spices
36) Reading Glasses
This one kind of blew my mind. I had no idea you could buy glasses at the Dollar Tree. However, a lot of people recommended them, so I decided to check them out. And guess what? They seem to be great quality!
37) Dishes
I’ve bought a few different dishes from the Dollar Tree. Some of them break easily, but for the most part, I’ve been pretty pleased with them.
38) Ibuprofen and other medications
39) Stocking Stuffers/Goodie Bag Items
40) Holiday Products – check our posts on Dollar Tree Christmas and Dollar Tree Halloween ideas.
41) Air Fresheners
42) Solar Powered Decorations
Forrest and I LOVE these. They have them for almost all the holidays, and they are super cute. We look forward to getting them with each holiday. (I actually just saw they have solar powered garden lights. Super excited to try these out!).
43) Party Supplies
The Dollar Tree is definitely my go-to place for party supplies (they are great for baby showers, kid parties, as well as for getting table cloths, paper plates and plastic forks, etc.).
45) Ribbon
46) Makeup
I say this with a caveat – the brands you recognize are good. If you don’t recognize them…I would probably shy away.
Five Things to Avoid at the Dollar Tree
1) Toys
Okay, not all the toys at the Dollar Tree are bad. We like the little cars. However, for the most part, I find most of them to be just kind of junky. You just have to be careful (but in all honesty, it’s a dollar, and the kiddos might like it). Just don’t be too disappointed if something doesn’t work the way it should.
My mom bought some little toy phones at the Dollar Tree once. They work, but you can’t tell at all what they are saying. It kind of makes me laugh – one of them really sounds like it says “mama milk.”
2) Batteries
Just go to Costco instead and buy their batteries. Dollar Tree batteries really don’t last long.
3) Truffles
This was a suggestion from my mom – she said that she has bought many truffles there that have been smooshed or otherwise unappealing. We bought some at Christmas, and they certainly left something to be desired.
4) Plastic Kitchen Tools
I like a lot of their kitchen supplies, but many of the plastic kitchen utensils do not stand the test of time!
5) Spray Bottles
This is another suggestion from my mom – she said they leak really easily.
6) Crayons
This is one I’ve heard from many people, and I agree. They just don’t color very well, and you can get better quality crayons for around the same price at Walmart or Target.
7) Cleaning Supplies with Nozzles
Once again, another suggestion from my mom. She said that these often stop working, and she doesn’t feel they are worth buying.
8) Electronics
Just say no to Dollar Store Electronics.
9) Tools and Knives
These are things worth investing in. They don’t last very long when you buy them from the Dollar Tree.
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Pressure Cooker Bolognese Sauce – Olive Garden Copycat
Gloria
Hi, what about hand soap?
Katie
Name brand is a good buy here. I haven’t bought any of the off brand hand soap though 🙂
Dave
Box candy and outdoor solar lights at wal-Mart are 97 cents each can’t beat cards , black olives or office stuff at dollar tree
Ellie
Great post! I love Dollar Tree, I almost always stop there first on my grocery shopping day. I get a lot of the things there that were mentioned.
Some other good finds I try to get there are:
*napkins
*tortillas
*lime and lemon juice
*coconut milk
*olives
*pesto
The downside of Dollar Tree is that they sometimes switch around what they offer and not all stores carry the same things, but you can always find at least some good deals there. 🙂
Deborah Miedema
I LOVE Dollar Tree and go there almost weekly! I go down every aisle to check out what’s new. I am a paper crafter and get tons of stuff there. Love their foil (poster board) that embosses and diecuts nicely. Love their Christmas stuff and I stock up on gift bags, ornaments, and tape. But I don’t like their tree skirts; too small at 18 to 20″. I like their dishwasher pods, dryer sheets and dog treats. Love their fuzzy socks too! Some great brand names too!
Jacqueline R
I bought the Reynolds tin foil there and will never buy it again! Very flimsy and thin. You can tell how light the box is when you pick it up!
I buy the kitchen itensils no problem.
Also I bought all my christmas wrapping paper there.
I was lucky to find large beer mugs that I use for the times I want a nice big glass of something cold!
I buy the aluminum containers and the betty crocker foid storage containers.
The greeting cards are an awesome buy and if you look around you will notice they carry the major lines (Halmark etc).
Love dollar tree!
April
When getting my first apartment I bought some cleaning supplies from dollar tree, while I agree that not all are very good the all purpose cleaner spray bottle they sell is one of my favorite cleaning products. 5 years later and I’m still using it. Works great with cleaning and getting dirt/ grime/ stains up and I’ve luckily not had a problem with the spray nozzle not working and for a dollar the bottle seems to last me forever. If looking for a good cheap product I would recommend this one!
Misti
I agree with you recommendations on everything except Scotch tape. You can get 3 rolls at Walmart for 2.97 and the rolls have 3-4 times as much tape per roll. Thanks for the great post!
MaryLynn Tritten
We like to buy Garlic bread from the cooler section at Dollar Tree. I’m a teacher so I buy a lot of craft items and decorations for my classroom.
Val
I buy all my cleaning supplies at Dollar Tree. The Awesom cleaners are absolutely the best cleaners for a buck!! Our dolllar tree resentfully started carrying frozen foods and refrigerated stuff, like bacon, single slice pies, breakfast sausage—when you live alone these are super saving items
Kathy
I agree!! I am a housekeeper and I absolutely love the Awesome brand degreasers. That little bottle is great for all greasy stains (even clothes) and stoves. The Oxygen Orange cleaner is great in bathrooms for soap scum and all over house. And that lets not forget you can get the refill bottles for a $1 too.
Loretta
I go to the Dollar Tree to get the beef and chicken broth in the 32 oz container. I can’t tell the difference between that and the one you pay 2.89 for at Winn Dixie. just watch the expiration date on the top of the carton
Cyn
This is my trick too! You just Cannot beat that deal & they even carry a lower sodium option!
Janette
I buy batteries there. Just have to make sure AND get the alkaline batteries and not heavy duty ones. They last longer! I use them for work with no problem.
Tess
The only thing a disagree on is that the tools are a bad buy. Right they don’t hold up like good ones but you can make a great starter kit for kids and it’s handy to have screwdrivers on every floor of the house. lol Or in the car door pocket. In a pinch they’re fine and handy extras.
Becky A
I buy the 9v batteries for our smoke detector because we change the every 6 months. Never had an issue with them. I do agree for other types that Costco is the place.
Starla Raby
i use a degreaser i buy from the dollar tree. it is best stuff, but i make sure i buy the concentrated. works great, you gotta try it! oven cleaner is great for so many things and for a dollar works just as well as any other. i agree with the above mentioned things you have talked about, thank you very much!!!
Jani
Thank you so much honey for all the great information!! I know it must have taken a long time to gather that much useful info together. One thing I wanted to mention – there are many things in that store- from veggies to makeup – that have expiration dates. Be sure to check. I’ve been burned more than once. A week or two is one thing but 6 months is too long!!
Katie
Thank you, Jani! And that is a great tip 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Paula
Thanks for all the info. However be wary of the parchment paper. I buy it to make cookies on and when I bought the Dollar Tree brand all the cookies stuck
Bee
There cleaner “Awesome” is just that. Great spot remover, degreaser and all around cleaner. Just remember to use in open space or with open windows. Kind of makes you cough if too close.
Holly
My eye doctor told me that if my insurance didn’t pay for reading glasses from his office I could get them from anywhere but dollar tree. He said they are defective and would hurt my eyes. Wal-Mart, dollar General etc are fine. By the way I am a 2-3 times a week dollar tree shopper.
Katie
Good to know!
Lx
You can actually get way more than a two tapes for a doller. You can find the dispensers and dispenser packs that have abort six or eight rolls or tape.
Cristina
Love this post. The only disagreement tjat i have is about the socks, since Id had bought some and after the first washed they shrinked. Other than that I love pretty much everything. Course with some exception!!
Brittany
Another thing that’s good from the Dollar store is Nature’s Own Bread….(honey wheat, wheat, white, butter). Nature’s Own can cost between $2-3 at Walmart or any other grocery store. They switch up every week with other name brand breads. Also, I’ve used blueberries from there,they are frozen, but if you know how to get down in the kitchen you can make it work. I’ve also brought hot pockets, veggie burger patties, pimento cheese, cheese puffs, the gourmet pretzels(grocery store price $2.50), ocean spray cranberry grape. All that being said, there are many other food items that are good there. There are some things that I myself wouldn’t even try. Like the weird off brand drinks!! My husband is one of those people who will try and like everything but me “NO MA’am”. I can say specifically though…..DO NOT BUY THE SYRUP!!! Syrup is one of those things you just have to buy the Name brand!! I just love the dollar tree. I host a lot of parties(bridal shower, Baby shower, birthday, etc) and when it comes to decorating, games, party gifts…..that’s MY one stop party shop!!!?