Dollar Tree

Like a dive-​bar, this is a dive store. You get the picture. This chain or one just like it has taken hold all across America and I am not sure what that tells us but I am thinking it is something to pay attention to.
When you walk in here you can immediately sense an undercurrent of despair. It’s hard not to feel sad for the state of affairs related to US consumerism on many levels which helps create such a glut of second rate merchandise.
With that said, I have a like-​hate relationship with this place because there are those times I am pleased enough to buy a few things for not much money.
Have I rescued the merchandise though or have I just added more junk into the community at large? It’s hard to be sure.
Some of the items I buy are paper goods. In general I loathe eating off of paper plates or plastic plates. But there are times I do need them and at least with the paper goods, Dollar Tree has a good selection in many colors.
Starting in the fall the Christmas merchandise starts to appear. This is where I have started to buy Christmas gift bags and decorative boxes of which they always have a great assortment. Skip the wrapping paper because it is thin and cheap but the bags and boxes are a great way to festively package up gifts.
We were going to be staying in a cottage a couple of summers ago and were uncertain whether there would be ample plates and glasses. So I came to this Dollar Tree and purchased 8 quite sturdy white ceramic plates, an assortment of drinking glasses including some ridiculously heavy but certainly quite usable wine stems. All this for just a few dollars and we were happy to leave everything behind at the cottage when we left.
That felt like a score.
They also sell glass platters and bowls here which I’ve purchased for the express purpose of using when I bring food or a baked good to a friend or neighbor. The recipient can keep the bowl or platter, I don’t have to worry about getting something more precious back to me and I avoid the tacky look of wrapping something in foil.
For a dollar an item it is hard to beat the practicality of this idea.
Dollar Tree has other kitchen items like pots and pans, baking sheets, dishtowels, pot holders and the like. Again maybe okay if you’re temporarily outfitting a vacation rental but other than that I think this stuff will never hold up and therefore not worth it even for a dollar.
There are some toys and games mostly ones you’ve never heard of, coloring books and other children’s items. There are crayons but not Crayola however in a pinch I am sure they would be fine.
There is packaged food for sale including some questionable items in cans which I can’t imagine being brave enough to try but I know people do purchase them and are perhaps relieved to have a food option at this price point… sad but an unfortunate reality of hunger in America.
There are pet toys and dog and cat food… again, the provenance of these items is questionable and I would not purchase.
There is a layer of dust on many things here, a faint musty odor in the air, hit or miss service at the registers which are never properly staffed and often very long lines at the checkout.
But for that occasional item, Dollar Tree is A-​OK if indeed you can get in and out before a sense of gloom and despondency overtakes you.
Keep hand sanitizer in your car or purse as you will probably want to use it after handling so much dusty merchandise.