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Values await inside the dollar store
Asha Dornfest of Parent Hacks | September 23rd, 2008 - 1:00 AM
My first visit to the dollar store filled me with a mixture of wonder and horror. I was overcome by the vast array of products that could be purchased for Only! One! Dollar! But I was depressed by the mass of cheap plastic that would eventually find its way into the landfill. Could there be some decent buys for someone who values quality, but wants to save a few bucks?
In fact, there are enough deals to make a stop at the dollar store worthwhile, especially if it’s nearby other shops you frequent. Here’s what I found on a recent visit:
Art and craft supplies: If you’ve ever been to one of those big box craft stores, you know how easily you can blow your budget there. You go in for a few bottles of tempera paint and some brushes and you come out with a hundred dollars’ worth stuff you swear you’ll use but probably won’t. If you’re just looking to set your preschooler up with some basic doodling equipment, you’ll do just fine at the dollar store.
Coloring and word puzzle books: Hours of entertainment (and quiet) for a mere dollar. A steal.
Mylar balloons: I’ve never understood why inflated Mylar balloons cost upwards of $5 at a party supply store. Grab perfectly lovely balloons for your next party from the dollar store instead.
Cleaning supplies: I’m a big fan of multi-purpose cleaners, with vinegar and water topping the list, so I’m not talking about the chemical stuff (although you can get good deals there). I’m talking about the implements: microfiber cloths, thin towels, sponges, scrubbers. It’s not worth spending more on stuff that takes a beating and needs to be replaced frequently.
Holiday doodads and decorations: I pick up a few Halloween decorations every year, and the dollar store always does the trick. If you’re a sucker for Christmas decorations, you’ll love the dollar store in late November.
But as much as I appreciate the good deals, I must point out one dollar store purchase to avoid: toys. These are just the sorts of cheap throwaways that often appear in recall lists, so if you bring the kids along, resist the urge to buy them “just one thing” (unless it’s a balloon).
the greeting cards 2/$ can’t be beat!
I love the clear shoe boxes! Great discrete storage for crayons, pens, polly pockets, etc. They stack and you can label them with a digital picture (for pre-schoolers) if you are a truly dedicated organizer.
One “toy” that is popular from the dollar store is those expanding washcloths. The ones that are pressed down into a little circle or heart and “grow” in the tub. My 4-yo daughter loves them and uses them both to wash with and to play with.
Costume props, esp if you’re the creative type who wants to experiment by tearing things apart to make other things.
hmmm…. Let’s see
Scrapbook stuff! El Cheapo
Inexpensive Framed Art
(switch out the frame for a masterpiece)
Fake Fruit
Glass marbles
HGTV BABY!!!
My favorites are colored plates and silverware and napkins for parties - which are a FORTUNE at party stores and wrapping paper/gift bags. Excellent!
Plus, they always have the same glowsticks available at other more expensive stores.
baby toys: not from the toy section, though!
We bought a dustpan and dustbroom set, a set of measuring cups, a broom, all at the age somewhere past 1 where my daughter was just getting into wanting to copy mom and dad but we wanted to keep our own dirty dustpan away from her and our own measuring cups in the kitchen.
We love (LOVE!!!) the temporary tattoos. I haven’t seen them lately, but if you can find the “Tattoo King” brand, in the purple package, you should try them out. The tatoos are nice kid-friendly pictures, and they really last a long time. Bring them to a party and all the kids will have a blast!
Forgot another recent great find - a pack of 4 very light-weight green cloth mesh bags. I use them for produce at the grocery store, instead of using the plastic ones that will just get thrown away.
I just got Sesame Street themed coloring books for $1 each - perfect party favors for an upcoming SS/Elmo themed birthday party.
I also find cute gift bags and storage containers. I got a plastic ‘basket’ with handles, perfect for use in toting/storing our daughter’s bath supplies.
Asha, you’re brilliant! Only your dollar store sounds way better than the ones in NYC that mostly carry expired food. Awesome.
May I know where’s the dollar store? I’m interested. Thanks.
I have found 20 “Swiffer” dry cloths for $1. That’s just a nickel a piece, people! They work just as well as real Swiffer cloths on our wood floors. I also like the scented diaper disposal bags, which come in a box of 100. Great for the diaper bag and for dog poop when we’re out for a walk.
I have also bought baking implements like pie and muffin tins that we use for crafting. And since I starting creating bento lunch boxes for my kids, I have been scouring the dollar store to find little containers that I can repurpose for lunches. My favorite find was in the halloween candy- 6 little round lidded containers with eye-ball stickers on them that held rolls of gum, but happen to work perfectly for ketchup or ranch dressing or any dip! I have pictures here: http://weeklybento.blogspot.com/2008/09/leftovers-revived.html
I always feel clever when I am able to use and reuse items meant to be thrown away!
[...] Values await inside the dollar store The MomSpeak(01 January 2009) Im talking about the implements microfiber cloths, thin towels, ltbgtspongesltbgt, ltbgtscrubbersltbgt. Its not worth spending more on stuff that take… [...]