10 Holiday Gifts You Can Get at the Dollar Store

By Elizabeth Sheer, Cheapism.com

Stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, and presents for teachers are generally relegated to the "inexpensive" column at holiday time. Then it turns out you need to buy a lot of them, and as the numbers mount, the prices don't seem so cheap anymore. Dollar stores are the ideal shopping solution -- they carry gift-worthy items that are always less than $20 and often cost no more than $5 or $10.

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We checked out Family Dollar and Dollar General for ideas about holiday gifts that will appeal to many people on your list.

Increasingly dollar stores are trying to be on trend with toys, gift items, and holiday décor, says Bob Giles, a vice president at Family Dollar. That means, for example, stocking popular brand-name toys because kids know the difference between the real thing and the wannabes. Bottom line: Shopping the dollar store aisles lets holiday gift givers save money without seeming chintzy.

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Toys. Toddlers might be too young for Legos, but they still like to build. Family Dollar sells a bucket of 25 large blocks for $5. This might be a bit bulky to stuff in a stocking, but it's sure to get a workout once retrieved from under the tree.

Miscellaneous Gifts. You've probably been invited to any number of holiday parties, so hostess gifts are on order. With the current emphasis on style trends this year, dollar stores are stocked with a good selection of items that would not be out of place at higher-end outlets.

Related: How to live off the dollar store on $50 a week

Gift Shopping Tips. In case you're feeling overwhelmed, Leah Ingram of Suddenly Frugal offers several tips that can help you sail through the shopping season with your budget intact.

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