Dollar stores are loaded with a mixture of bargains, full-priced items and low-quality junk. Check out this list for the ten best and worst dollar store finds.
1. Party Supplies
The dollar store has some of the exact same brands as the party supply store. There is a good selection of invitations, thank you notes, decorations, paper plates, cups, plastic platters and serving utensils. Supplies for weddings and baby showers are also available for $1.
2. Gift Wrap
Wrapping paper, bows, gift bags and tissue paper are plentiful. The gift bags are not as thick as other brands, but they are great for people only use them once or twice anyway.
3. Books
Inexpensive books are the perfect gift for any child. They have a good selection of books for children and tweens, including Scholastic titles.
4. Seasonal Products
The selection of budget-friendly holiday decorations and seasonal products changes throughout the year. Summer brings the most options with patriotic items, graduation party supplies, outdoor toys and picnic supplies.
5. Craft Supplies
Although the selection is not large enough to replace a trip to the craft store, the dollar store has great prices on items such as artificial flowers, floral foam, scrapbooking materials and decorative stones. They also have supplies to make gift baskets.
In addition to amazing bargains, dollar stores have some budget-busting duds that are not worth any price. These are the five worst dollar stores products.
1. Fragile Toys
The toy aisle includes plenty of flimsy, plastic toys that fall apart in a day or two. They are a waste of money and create extra trash.
2. Old Cosmetics
Although they are name brand, the cosmetics often look past their prime. Old nail polish and coagulated foundation are not worth any price.
3. Tiny Toiletries
The toiletry selection is a bit tricky because it includes small packages. A dollar seems like a good price for name brand body wash, but it is not a great bargain when the bottle only contains eight ounces. That price is comparable to the sale price at other stores and they have a better selection.
4. Flimsy Baby Products
Baby dishes, food storage containers and the like look cute but they are not durable. Other stores offer better products at slightly higher prices.
5. Leaky Balloons
Being able to buy a bouquet of helium-filled balloons at the dollar store seems convenient, but they are thin and tend to deflate much quicker than balloons from other stores. In a bind, they are reliable if bought the day of the event. Beyond that, they may be saggy bags tethered to pretty ribbons.