<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3r6bnD_1GnzyKts00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3r6bnD_1GnzyKts00" width="1280" height="720" ><p>CINCINNATI — When it comes to your holiday budget, where you shop for the little things — like gift boxes, gift wrap and decorations — can make a difference in what you spend this season.</p><p>Those holiday extras can add up: gift bags, tissue paper, gift tags, ornaments and stocking stuffers all come at a cost on top of the gifts themselves.</p><p><b><i>WATCH: How dollar store swaps can help you save this season</i></b></p><p>To see how prices compare, I went price checking at Dollar Tree and Dollar General and checked their prices against popular retailers like Hallmark, Walmart, Target and Wayfair. Here's what I found.</p><h2>First stop: Dollar Tree</h2><p>My first stop was Dollar Tree, which had a wide selection of holiday items. </p><p>Holiday gift bags, tissue paper and packs of gift tags were $1.50 each. At Hallmark, similar gift bags were $3.99.</p><h2>Decorations</h2><p>If you're decking the halls, here's how some of the decorative items were priced:</p><ul><li>Ornaments: $1.50</li><li>Reindeer and Christmas countdown decorations: $5</li></ul><h2>Stockings and stocking stuffers</h2><ul><li>Stockings: $1.50, with prints like Minions and Spider-Man.</li><li>Stocking stuffers: Most candy started at $1.25, and Skittles candy canes were $3.</li></ul><h2>Holiday baking items</h2><p>If you're doing some holiday baking, Dollar Tree also carried:</p><ul><li>Oven mitts: $1.50</li><li>Disposable aluminum pans: $1.75</li></ul><h2>Next stop: Dollar General</h2><p>My next stop was Dollar General. I started with gift wrap and cards.</p><p>At Dollar General, 50 square feet of wrapping paper was $3. Compare that to $5.99 for 30 square feet at Hallmark. A pack of 28 Christmas cards was $3 at Dollar General.</p><h2>Decorations</h2><p>I compared pre-lit Christmas trees across stores:</p><p><b>Tree</b><b>Store</b><b>Price</b></p><p>6-foot pre-lit treeMajor retailers, such as WayfairMore than $100</p><p>6-foot pre-lit Virginia pineDollar General$38</p><p>4-foot pre-lit Nordic pineDollar General$25</p><p>4-foot treeDollar General$6</p><h2>Ornaments and gift boxes</h2><p>I also compared prices on ornaments and gift boxes:</p><ul><li>30-pack of shatterproof ornaments at Dollar General: $5</li><li>30-pack listed at Walmart: $18</li><li>Gift boxes at Dollar General: a range starting at $1</li><li>A single gift box at Target: $8</li></ul><h2>The takeaway</h2><p>Based on this price check: For things like gift bags, tissue paper or gift boxes, the dollar store version may work just fine — and a few of these small swaps could add up to some big savings, so you don't waste your money.</p><p><i>This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.</i></p><p><i>"Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").</i></p><p>Follow John:</p><ul><li>Facebook: John Matarese Money</li><li>Instagram: @johnmataresemoney</li><li>X/Twitter: @JohnMatarese</li></ul><p>Follow Taylor:</p><ul><li>Facebook: Taylor Nimmo</li><li>Instagram: @tnimms</li><p>For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com</p></ul></div></body>

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CINCINNATI — When it comes to your holiday budget, where you shop for the little things — like gift boxes, gift wrap and decorations — can make a difference in what you spend this season. Those holiday extras can add up: gift bags, tissue paper, gift tags,...

Dollar store swaps to help you save for the holidays

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CINCINNATI — When it comes to your holiday budget, where you shop for the little things — like gift boxes, gift wrap and decorations — can make a differenc

Dollar store swaps to help you save for the holidays

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