Hi!

Christmas shopping is so much fun! I think picking out gifts is one of my talents, as I put a lot of thought into each one. There is nothing like the appreciation that shows on a person's face when they see their present. To me, giving the perfect gift is like saying, I get you, I know you, I was thinking about you, I knew you would like this, I knew you wanted this, or sometimes even I knew you needed this, and most of all, it says I love you.

Today, my husband and I did some Christmas Shopping for our kids, whose ages range from 3 to 11. As a family, we are finally coming out of a financial struggle that lasted for about a year. We are not in a comfortable place yet, and we have to choose our gifts wisely. Stocking stuffers for 5 kids can be expensive. It really adds up at most stores. Even at Walmart we would probably be paying $3 for the cheapest ones. 10 small gifts to put in each of the 5 stockings, at $3 a piece (maybe more)? At least $150!!!

Um, not happening.

So of course, we hit up the dollar tree!

I hate those glasses. Contacts are unaffordable right now. 😭 This picture is okay I guess, but some of the other ones....okay time to bring out the first world lady.

The struggle is real, people!

Okay, back to the Dollar Tree! You may think there are a lot of worthless items there if everything is only a dollar, and maybe this assumption kept you from ever shopping there. Maybe you have shopped there, and indeed did buy a piece of crap, and you don't want to go back. I've bought crap there too, but through trial and error, and a little inspection, I've learned what to buy and what not to buy. So whether or not you are familiar with this oasis of bargains, I will share a list of some great items I found for me and you to put in our children's stockings this season.

Coloring books

Light up bouncy balls

Glowsticks

Rubber duckies

Tumblers

There are many different tumblers there, and you can get each child a special one just for him/her! Javin is going through a patriotic phase, so we got him the American flag one, Naomi loves emojis and unicorns, Chloe gets princesses, Priscilla is very silly, so we thought the minions would be perfect, and Sophia is a fan of Minnie Mouse. If you're not into Disney, there are others.

Hair ties

Magic towels

Press on nails for girls

Small books

Flarp.

Do you know why this putty/slime/goo is called Flarp? I'll tell you why...because it would be weird and wrong and unappealing to name it Fart. That's the sound it makes when your kids play with it. It sounds like it's "Flarping." I know the kids will have fun with this stuff because they're weird like that.

Activity dough(like playdough) as well as tool packs for it (cutouts, roller, ect.)

Small children's dry erase board

Dry erase markers

Paint-your-own piggy bank

Mini basketball hoop and ball

So if you've never bothered to put one of those wall hoops in your son's room, now's the perfect time! It's only $1 of course, and I imagine the fun is in the challenge of getting the ball through the hoop, not necessarily the quality of the item. This one says "Slam Dunk!" I advise against slam dunking with this product, as you will be very disappointed. 😜

Matchbox cars

Disney gel pens

Stickers

Rubbery small animals that grow 600% in water

Funky Fashionista Glasses

I can't wait until the girls see these! They may just faint on the spot. Then they'll wake up and wear them.

Little stuffed animals

Card games

Ninja gear

Animal ear headbands

Earbuds

Do your kids fight over earbuds? Do the earbuds ever start malfunctioning? Maybe your toddler likes to rip them apart? All three of these problems have happened in the past. It doesn't matter how much they cost. Earbuds are fragile and fickle, especially when kids use them. Now everyone can have their own, and they will have to be responsible if they want them to last.

Kid's stamp rollers

Dress up accessories

Puzzles for all ages

Candy canes

Miniature erector sets

These 2 erector sets are some of the niftiest things I've seen at The Dollar Tree. Probably my favorite purchase today. I got both the race car and the helicopter, because I couldn't choose between the two, and because of the price, I didn't have to! The pieces are screwed together, so they are sturdier than Lego creations. I know my son will be very happy to see these in his stocking.

Activity packs for traveling

All in one craft kits

Paint with water books

Miniature Jenga game

Toothbrushes

We all have to get a bit practical sometimes, even at Christmas. Toothbrushes at The Dollar Tree can be bought individually, or in packs. There are several different styles and characters for kids. The most you can buy is a pack of 5, which is perfect for us! Throw a toothbrush into the stocking, as well as some other necessities. Why not, right?

Kid flossers

Kid shampoo

Fun socks

Reading Lamp

Whoopie cushion

Yes, they even have whoopie cushions. This is for my eldest daughter. The prankster in the family. 🙄

To conclude, we purchased 7 things for each kid, then bought two 4 packs of playdough, and two packs of 3 punch balloons to be divided among them. Then a pack of playdough tools for them to share. So the grand total for packing 5 stockings: $40.

Yes!!!!!! Let's celebrate!!!!

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I hope my post will inspire you to check out the little treasures at The Dollar Tree this Christmas season. You will save money, and your kids will be excited when they find what's inside their stockings. (By the way, I'm not affiliated with The Dollar Tree in any way.)

Thanks for reading!

Love, snowpea ❤