Dollar Stores

I had a co-worker once tell me she has never been in a dollar store.  Seriously?!?!  I was flabbergasted.  I do a lot of shopping at dollar stores, for those who have never been, go! 

There are still some genuine dollar stores out there where everything is a dollar, or even better 99 cents, as in the 99 Cent Depot.  There is a 99 Cent Depot on Lundy’s Lane in Niagara Falls.  I have bought some really great plain square plates there and some great gift bags. 

The Dollarama Plus is my favourite go too store though, it’s Canadian owned, and in recent years has added more items that are bit better quality, resulting in items being priced as high as $2.  They have a wide selection of children’s books and toys.   Now the quality may not necessarily be there but considering that its $1 or $2 versus $15 or $20 I don’t mind, (for books the quality is great).  I even bought myself and Hubby a two pack of kites for something to do on the next windy day.  (Hey, who says that kids get to have all the fun?  Plus why spend a fortune, most kites ended up nose diving into a tree or the ground, this way I am only out of pocket $1.50 instead for more!)  The outdoor toys right now are awesome: hula hoops, scoops, balls, kites, Frisbees, sand toys; why pay more then a buck?   They have some really sweet and cute garden ornaments as well.   Not too mention all of the household items, nice vases, baby stuff, hair clips, jewellery, really nice gift wrap/bags and office stuff.  (6 Pack of pens for $1 and they are good!)

The Dollarama Plus is also my go to chocolate goodie hook-up.  They sell chocolate bars for $0.69, King Size $1.  For the price of one chocolate bar at the most of the local convenience stores, you can buy two at Dollarama Plus!  Beware buying your chocolate at discount stores, always read the back of the label and check for expiry dates!  Dollarama Plus, I find, have the freshest and the best chocolate.  

Dollarama Plus has some great crafting supplies!  Florals, sewing materials, paints, scrap booking materials!  Why pay more?  Recently, I had the urge to start painting pictures.  Sometimes I don’t have the time to do what I might like to do, so instead of paying a fortune for supplies that I may only use once, I bought a pack of acrylic paints $2, Brushes $1 and some paper $1.  So for $4, I will test out painting and see if it’s right for me, and if I don’t use it, then I only spent $4 and not $40 or $50 or more even!  I was thinking how fun it would be when I have kids to set them up with some paint kits and let them have a crafting afternoon.  At Christmas time they sell kits to paint your own Christmas Tree ornaments, I can hear the carols playing in the background, what a fun afternoon that would be a what memories to create!  (Of course you maybe super creative or inventive and could make your own ornaments from scratch, that would be fun too!) 

Take a walk around, see the activities you could make/do for the day and pick up something cheap to do.  Kite flying can be teamed perfectly with a picnic!  Crafting can be done inside or outside in nice weather, and there are tons of different things to do for different times of the year!  Long car ride: stock up on a few things to keep you and your kids occupied; in a hurry and need a snack for the ride, stop in at the Dollarama Plus along the way!  Going to the cottage or beach, check out the summer toys and accessories!

If you haven’t been to a Dollar Store then please GO!