Dollar Store Christmas Shopping

This is exciting! You can get all of your Christmas shopping done cheaply, have a blast doing it, and make a lot of people happy! The way to do it is by doing at least some of your Christmas shopping in - dare I say it - a dollar store!

The trick for great Christmas shopping in a dollar store is to combine a few items and make a themed gift. This is where dollar store Christmas shopping gets fun! If you are a bit creative, you can dream up items that are perfect for any particular theme.

Just a note beforehand: I have actually seen all of the items mentioned below in local dollar stores. And there are many more items awaiting your Christmas shopping pleasure!

Dollar Store Christmas Shopping For Him

Start by getting a container. You might choose a tackle box, toolbox, or plastic tub. If your Christmas shopping theme is "winter", fill your container with winter gloves, a knit hat, and socks. If your theme is "handyman", fill it with a screwdriver, tape measure, work gloves, sandpaper, electrical tape, and cable ties. Add some small Tupperware-type plastic containers he can use for organizing the nails, screws, nuts, and bolts in the garage.

Dollar Store Christmas Shopping For Her

First, get a nice basket. For a "spa" Christmas shopping theme, put bath salts, lotion, a loofah, a manicure set, and nail polish in the basket. For a "decorative candle" theme, put 3 graduated sizes of candles, some decorative stones, and a square or round plate in the basket. You may want to add incense, an incense holder, or aroma oils. This kind of kit sells for around $20 in Target. You can make it for $6 - $8.

For a "home decorating" Christmas shopping theme, put a few matted frames (mats make frames look more expensive) in a basket with pictures of you or your family nicely framed in them. Or enlist your computer in this project. Find an inspiring phrase, add some great clip art or free photos from the Internet, print it out, and frame it. If you have already bought the picture frame, you can actually shoot or print the picture to match the frame. Also, look at the framed art while you're in the dollar store. Many times, just by searching a little bit, you can pick up a decent faux painting or print - then you can frame it! A few plants, a welcome mat, and some decorative hand towels will round out your "home decorating" theme.

Dollar Store Christmas Shopping For the Kids

There's an enormous amount of toys and other kid-related items at dollar stores this year. One caveat though - a lot of the toys are still coming from China, so be wary of buying anything that could contain leaded paint.

Wrap and tie up with ribbon three coloring books and glitter crayons (or regular if you insist) for the artist in your family. Get a "game night" theme going with a wooden puzzle, checkers, cards, and a maze game. For your little magician, pick up some magic tricks and a Harry Potter-type wand. Take a look at the yo-yos, flute recorders, Dora the Explorer and Hannah Montana items, Disney items, plush toys, and sidewalk chalk (to mention just a few) and create your own themed gift.

Books and VHS movies for kids are one of the best Christmas shopping deals you can find in a dollar store. For that matter, they have hardcover books for adults, as well as Bibles.

Dollar Store Christmas Shopping for the Home Office or Student

If you know someone who is always at the computer, get him or her a "home office gift set", straight from the dollar store. In a basket or colorful container, put a 2009 business planner or calendar, a calculator, post-its, a glue stick, note pads, a coffee mug, and pens (office workers always need more pens). Use the coffee mug as part of the container. Use your imagination - add paper clips, a small corkboard, a magnetic mirror, and magnetic clips.

Dollar Store Christmas Shopping for Office Co-Workers

This one is easy. Pick up a mug, fill it with candy, add a pen or pencil, tie a ribbon around it, and voilà - you have a great gift for someone at the office.

Dollar Store Christmas Shopping for Your Pet

It's fun, sometimes hysterical to watch your cat or dog unwrap their presents on Christmas morning. Dollar stores have lots of pet toys, food and water bowls, beds, collars, and leashes, so all your Christmas shopping for Fido and Fifi can be done right at your local dollar store.

Those are just a few of the ideas I've come up with for dollar store Christmas shopping. To list them all, I'd have to wear your eyes out, so I'll restrain myself. This really is a lot of fun, especially for us creative types, so get out there, do your dollar store Christmas shopping, and have a very merry Christmas!