7 Best (and Surprising) Holiday Gifts From Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree is home to more hidden treasures than shoppers may realize. Many of these items make for thoughtful holiday gifts to give to people of all ages, from recent retirees beginning their retirement journeys to kids who want to get active and play.

GOBankingRates dug around on the Dollar Tree website (and referenced some of our existing content for inspiration) to find seven unexpected presents worth giving this holiday season. Will you shop for any of these holiday gifts during your next shopping run?

• Price: $1.25

Surprise a loved one with a Special Moments windowed photo album. These albums come with several pages of plastic sleeves to add treasured 4×6-inch photos and eight hardcover designs to shop. 

They also go above and beyond acting as photo albums. Several Dollar Tree shoppers revealed in five-star reviews they turned these albums into planners and recipe books.

• Price: $3

Record the way you see the world around you using a Jot journal. Each journal comes with 192 lined sheets of paper, an attached tassel bookmark and a snap to close when you’re done writing or doodling for the day. 

Holiday shopping pro tip: Pair this journal with a diamond jewel ballpoint pen ($1.25) so your gift recipient can begin using it to record their dreams and ideas.

• Price: $1.25 

Parents and kids alike will have a blast working on these woodshop build and play project kits together. 

Learn how to assemble basic wooden toys in one of four designs including helicopters, fighter planes, sailboats and race cars. Please note that these kits are for ages 5 and up and come with small parts, making them not suitable for children under 3.

• Price: $1.25

We’re pleasantly surprised by the amount of bang for your buck you receive when you buy this plastic toy tea set from Dollar Tree. 

Every set includes four teacups, four dishes, four spoons and one teapot: all for $1.25. Give it as a gift to kids who love to play pretend or as a present for children in need. 

• Price: $1.25

Bring the exciting game of lacrosse to your backyard with this colorful lacrosse stick and ball set. Each is available in three styles and comes with a ball so you can start playing right away.

• Price: $1.25

When’s the last time you bought a jump rope? These inexpensive jump ropes from Hedstrom provide kids with hours of active play in backgrounds, on playgrounds and at the park. 

Each measures 84 inches and is available in a variety of character designs, including Spider-Man and Disney characters. Shop one or buy a few and teach the kids how to use the jump ropes for double Dutch.

• Price: $5

Draw, doodle, daydream and more inside these Jot top bound sketchbooks. While you’re at Dollar Tree, consider heading to the crafts aisle and picking up some inexpensive pencils or watercolors to pair with this gift.

“This was a very great quality for me to sketch in,” wrote Panda Girl in a five-star review. “Definitely one of the best sketchbooks I have ever had.”

Editor’s note: Prices and availability are accurate as of Dec. 6, 2024, and are subject to change.