Graduation Party Ideas

 

It's that time of year again, it's graduation season.  It's hard to believe how fast this last year went, and that it is already the end of school year.  This year I will be involved in two graduation ceremonies/parties.   My new job is at a preschool and daycare, and we will be having a graduation ceremony for the kids who are moving on to kindergarten next year in early June.  If everything goes well in the next few weeks, I am also planning a graduation party for my bonus son.  I have been picking up a lot of graduation party items from the Dollar Tree to prepare for our party sometime this summer. 

**this post contains affiliate links

While I have bought more than what is posted, here are some of my favorite items so far. 

I bought this sign from the Dollar Tree. I think is would look great in photos  while being held by the graduate.  

We are going to use this as the cake topper. It has a nice elegant look. 

I am not sure what I am going to do with this graduation cap yet, but I really liked the size of it. 

These party picks are new for 2023.  They would look great with various party foods. You get 24 per pack.    Also available are picks that say Class of 2023. 

I plan on hanging this 2023 graduation banner on a long wall in the dining room or in our main hallway. 

If you plan on having a photo booth, these photo props will be fun and inexpensive to use. 

How adorable are these graduation gnomes! When I saw them I just had to get them to add to my gnome collection.  

I 

I picked up these led number lights recently.  I can not find them on the website, but if you see them grab them, because they were going fast! 

We are still in the early phases of the planning our party, so there will be more posts with food and other ideas in the coming weeks.  Did you know that on the Dollar Tree website there is a value seekers blog with a lot of graduation ideas ?  There are many great ideas over there, so be sure to stop over and check it out. 

Over in my Etsy Shop I have a few graduation party listings currently available like this chocolate bar wrappers. Over the next few weeks, I will be adding several more items for this graduation season.  

Read More »

Large Dollar Tree Plus Christmas Gnomes

I heard some news this morning that I am SUPER EXCITED about.  If you saw my reel about my Gnome Shelves in my Dollar Tree Craft Room  over on Instagram you will understand why..  

 

I LOVE GNOMES! 

In fact, I think at times I have a gnome collection problem.  That is why the news I heard today is so exciting. 

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

 

If you do not have a Dollar Tree Plus store in your area, the large 16 inch Plus Holiday Gnomes are now on the Dollar Tree website.  You can find them here.  And even bigger news, you can buy them in quantities of only three!  They could sell out quickly once the word gets out, so if you want them I would buy them sooner than later.  

Also don't forget, if available in your area, you can ship your order to your local store for free!

If you missed my post from last week sharing all of the new adorable Christmas Plus items that are available, you can read that post here. 

 Dollar Tree Plus Christmas Items online

Read More »

My Best Dollar Tree Shopping Secrets

 If you follow me on this blog or over at Instagram, you know that I love the Dollar Tree.  It truly is one of my very favorite stores to shop in.   

On Instagram , I share what's new at the Dollar Tree in my reels and posts.  Almost daily I will get a comment of someone saying that they can't find anything, or that my store is so much better than theirs.   The thing is my local store is not any better than other stores.  It is just an average Dollar Tree. The reason why I find so many great finds to share is because there are secrets to finding the best items. I have been shopping at the Dollar Tree for years, and I found out these secrets on my own, but I am going to share them with you so you can find great finds too.  

Using these secrets, I can find great stuff in literally every single Dollar Tree I go to and you can too.

There are a few things you need to know before I share my secrets though, Dollar Tree stores are NOT all the same. What your store gets in inventory is based on location, population demographics, volume of merchandise sold, and the size of store.  This is why you may notice if you go to stores in different areas, that one might have a bigger craft section, one might have more groceries, and one might have more beauty supplies. 

Another important thing is if you like to shop for seasonal items they come out in three waves.  The early wave is two, sometimes three months before the holiday.  Example of an early wave is Halloween items starting to  appear in late July, and Christmas items starting to hit shelves in late September.  I have heard people complain that is too early, but if you wait until a few weeks before the holiday, you might not find what you are looking for because things are already sold out.  A few weeks after the early wave, is the middle wave, and the last wave is about a month to six weeks before the holiday.    

 **This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

Now onto my list of my BEST DOLLAR TREE SHOPPING SECRETS 

1. The best day of the week to shop is one to two days after the truck arrives.  If the truck arrives on Monday (like it did at my old store) the best days to shop for the new items were on Tuesday and Wednesday. If your store has a decent number of associates, they will start to put things on the shelves that first day, but if there is a lot of new stuff, it may take a day or two to get most of it on the floor.  If you have a smaller store with not a lot of staff, it will take a bit longer since associates ring up customers, and put out stock while they are not at the register.    

2. Go to the Dollar Tree more than once a week. If you are just an occasional shopper, you might not see something, because it is has already been on the shelf and sold out.   If you go two times a week, you have a greater chance of finding something you are looking for.  

3.  Go to multiple  Dollar Tree stores if possible. Not all stores get the same items, so if you don't see what you want at your store, go to another, because they might have it there.  When I lived in Michigan I had five different stores I liked to visit.  Now in Ohio, I have two near me that I go to the most, and then I visit others when I'm out and about.  Sometimes you find the best stuff when you stop by a Dollar Tree you do not normally shop at. 

4. Don't rule out going to a smaller store, just because it is small.   I have found hard to find items many times at the smaller less shopped at stores, because not as many people see them, and they do not sell out right away. 

5. When you are in the store, there are also some secrets to finding the best finds.  You need to go up and down every single aisle, and look at all of the display racks.  You never know where you might find an item.  Some of my best finds have been when another shopper changed their mind on it, and left it on a random shelf in another part of the store. 

6. Also, when you are going up and down those aisles, make  sure you are looking up to the top shelves, and down to the lowest shelves.  I have found many hidden treasures on those shelves. Make sure to also look at all the hanging strips and endcaps as well.   As you can see in the picture above, had I not looked down I would not have seen the football themed containers on the bottom shelf.  

7.  Bonus Tip - to find what new items are coming to the Dollar Tree look at their paper ads, on their website DollarTree.com, and follow Dollar Tree YouTubers online.  You can keep your eyes out for some fantastic deals, full size brand name finds, and can't miss items if you know what is available.   If you do not find something in store that you really want, you can also buy it on their website and have it sent FREE to your local store for pick up.  

I hope my tips help you to find those amazing finds! Happy Shopping.  

Read More »

Dollar Tree Plus Now Online

I have just recently heard very exciting news!

As you know I LOVE the Dollar Tree. It is my favorite store and I go there often for so many things. In the last couple of years many of the Dollar Trees around the country have turned into Dollar Tree Plus stores, with so many cool decor and household items for $3 and $5.  Unfortunately, where I live in the Midwest, we do not have a Dollar Tree Plus anywhere near me.  

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

But now the big news... 

DollarTree.com has updated their website.  It is now super easy to use and they added a lot more items. What I am most excited about, is many Dollar Tree Plus items are NOW AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE ONLINE!  An added bonus, you are able to buy many of the items in small quantities! 

This is a game changer for Dollar Tree Shopping!

Check out some of these amazing gems.. 

These large gnomes are Dollar Tree Plus items, and available online for $3 each.  You will need to purchase a case of 12, but if you know a friend who also love gnomes go in together and split the cost.  They also have smaller Halloween Gnome exclusive to ONLINE ONLY for only $1.25, and some cute fall themed gnomes also for $1.25 

Click the link below to see all the gnomes

16 inch Halloween Gnomes

I am loving these large Halloween themed leaner signs.  They are $5 each, and come in a case of 12.  Just like the gnomes you can find a few friends and split the order to make them even more affordable.  You can see these and more leaner signs with the link below. 

Halloween 48 inch porch signs

If you love to craft, these long Crafters Square wooden bead strands are an amazing deal at a $1.25 each.  I still have not found them in my stores, and I am there frequently.  These are a smaller quantity items with a minimum of 6 strands.  That would make 24 feet of beads for only $7.50!

Crafters Square DIY 4 ft Wooden Bead Strand

These are so adorable at $5 each. I would love to have one of these. 

Fold Out Harvest Chalkboard Signs

These harvest village decor are also new Dollar Tree Plus items at $3 each.  They come in a case of 12. 

Harvest Village

The sunflower plates are still available online for $1.25 in smaller quantities of only 4 

10.5 inch stoneware Sunflower Plates

These are just a handful of all the amazing goodies I found online.   I have bought from their website several times.  While you can have it shipped to your home, you can also ship many items to your Local Store for FREE!

Which items are you most excited about? 

 Happy Shopping! 

If you would like to read more about the Sunflower Dishes you can find it here on my post Sunflower Dishes - An Amazing Party Find.

Other Dollar Tree posts you might find of interest 

Red Truck Christmas Crafts

Things you should always by at the Dollar Tree

Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Watermelon Birthday Party

Read More »

Cant Miss! Dollar Tree Glass Blowout and Flat Rate Shipping

I LOVE the Dollar Tree! I love it so much, that I have a Dollar Tree themed Instagram page with over 13,000 followers, and I became an affiliate because I can't stop talking about talking about all the great finds I find while doing my Dollar Tree hauls. 

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

This morning I woke up to an exciting newsletter that I knew I just had to share.  One of the best items you can find for all types of parties at the Dollar Tree  is their glassware.  They are currently having a Summer Glass Blowout of their glassware on their website through July 25th.  Another great bonus, is everything is available in small quantities so you don't have to buy an entire case. 

There is even more exciting news, not only can you still ship your orders FREE to your local store,  July 10th through July 16th you can also get FLAT RATE shipping directly to your house for only $5.99 with the code SAVENOW 

These Yucatan Margarita Glasses are 13.5 ozs are amazing! (min 4) 

These short stemmed brandy glasses are currently on Close Out with limited quantities left.  They could be really cool for crafting.  (min 4) 

If you are having a wedding or bridal shower, they have several wedding essentials available online as well.  On their site they have party and craft ideas for your celebration. 

n 

It is also not too late for all your summer party needs, if you are looking for items that are running low in store. 

What are your favorite items to buy at the Dollar Tree?  

Be sure to follow me over on Instagram for my latest Dollar Tree finds, and coming very soon (once the craft room is  done being set up)  Dollar Tree DIYs and crafts. 

Read More »

Amazing new shore finds from the Dollar Tree

I mentioned last week that the Dollar Tree had a Shore Living line that can't be missed.  I really mean it. I have not been this excited about a new line in quite awhile.   There are so many items that I want to buy.  They remind me of the vacation we took a few years ago along the lake shores of Lake Michigan. It was one of the best vacations I ever took, and I look forward to taking again. (you can see links the the posts with pictures below) 

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

I have not seen any of these items in store yet, but these amazing items are on their website and can be shipped for FREE to your local store.

Here are just some of my favorites 

Metal Embossed Oval Buckets

Vertical MDF Wall Decor Sentiment Sign

Metal DIY Wall Banners

Starfish Wreath Forms

Anchor Wreath Form

Starfish Ceramic Decor

                                                           Cork Wall Tags

Wooden Hanging Mermaid Signs

Beach Inspired Wall Signs

Nautical Wood Signs

Wooden Mermaid Tails 3 ct pack

There are just too many items in this collection that I love to post. You can see them all on the Dollar Tree website.  

If you want to follow along with with my Dollar Tree Finds, Reels and more come join me on Instagram

If you are interested in learning more about great places to visit on vacation in Michigan.   Check out the posts below 

Spilling the Beans.. What I have been up to

Our Visit to Holland, Michigan

Our visit to Lake Michigan, Grand Haven, Ludington, Manistee

Our visit to Lake Michigan, Traverse City, Charlevoix, and Petoskey

Our Visit to the Michigan Upper Peninsula

Our Visit to Mackinac Island

Read More »

Dollar Tree Unicorn Valentine's Day Card Box

 Valentine's Day is about a month away.  I work at a school, so I know Valentine's Day is a pretty big day in the classroom, especially at the elementary level.  It can be quite exciting for kids to make a card box to hold all of the class valentine cards. 

I made this Unicorn Valentine Box a few years ago using almost all Dollar Tree items.  The items not from the Dollar Tree were items you may have laying around your house. 

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Here is what you will need 

A box for the body (shoebox, tissue box, gift box or even a mailbox)

4 cardboard tubes for the legs

2-3 curly bows (multiple bows on each) for the mane and tail.

round container/tumbler with lid (something unicorn head shaped) or floral foam for the head 

craft foam or pre cut glitter hearts for snout

googly eyes

colored wrapping paper  or paint 

cardstock (color of choice for horn) 

I used a box with a slot cut in the lid for my unicorn body. Whatever type of body you choose to use, there needs to be a way to get the valentines easily in and out of the box.   My box was already white, so I decided to make a white unicorn, but you can make yours whatever color you like.  

To make the legs, paint four cardboard tubes

When I made my unicorn, I had a hard time deciding which head shape I wanted.  In this picture are what both options looked like. 

I covered both items with white wrapping paper. Expert tip.. If you chose to go the square floral foam route, DO NOT remove the plastic off the foam! It's much better to wrap the entire brick as one piece.  I found out the hard way that the floral foam is made from five smaller bricks that I had to re-attach, and it was a little bit messy.   I personally preferred the shape of the plastic container head, which is what I decided to use in the end.  You can attach the head with hot glue or double sided tape. 

I found it easier to attach the legs to the bottom of the box with hot glue instead of tape.

 

The curly ribbon bows have several smaller bows on each card.  Arrange the bows as desired to make the mane and tail as full as you prefer.  I used four smaller bows for the mane, and two for the tail.  

 

I had some pink craft foam on hand from the Crafters Square aisle, so I cut out small hearts for the snout. If you prefer pre-cut hearts, I have also seen them available at the Dollar Tree. 

I rolled a piece of cardstock into a cone shape to make the horn, and hot glued it in place.

The last step on the unicorn is to add some googly eyes, and if desired some eyelashes. (Dollar Tree sells fake eyelashes in the make up aisle that would look really cute!)  

Here is the finished Unicorn Valentine Box.. 

If you love all things Dollar Tree like me, be sure to follow me on Instagram. Over there I share Dollar Tree hauls, finds and DIYs. 

Read More »