17 Jolly Dollar Store Decor Ideas for Your Holiday Home

by Emily MyersDecember 1, 2021

Whether you’re actually putting on real clothes and entertaining this year or just want to up your holiday decoration game, with a little creativity you can make over simple, affordable objects into masterpieces. From clever ideas for hostess gifts to decorations you’ll treasure, scroll on for some seriously awesome #dollarstoredecor!

A Farmhouse Window

Amy at the Savvy Sparrow knows her way around a dollar store and this amazing farmhouse window is proof positive. It looks like the real thing! Find out how she did it over at thesavvysparrow.com.

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A post shared by Gina, M.SpEd, CAGS Ed. (@aplayfilledlife)

An Upcycled Wreath

This genius wreath from Gina @aplayfilledlife is not only dollar-store gold, it uses some unexpected items—like upcycled plastic caps.

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A post shared by Jennifer Whitney (@lets_create_and_celebrate)

A Customized Dollar Store Sign

Simple changes make all the difference. Jenni @Create and Celebrate is the queen of taking something basic like a dollar store holiday sign and adding just a few touches to make it her own.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW18OWcpjHb/

Festive Candles

How cute are these decorated tall votive candles? Not only are they from dollar-store candles, we love how @cassi_mills displayed them with her bottle brush trees.

DIY Christmas Car Ornament

This too-cute Christmas ornament is a cinch to make and calls for just a few creative materials you can grab at the Dollar Store. (Hint: nail polish is involved!) Best of all, this decoration could double as a toy if your elves need to get some emergency playtime in. Get the how-to over at The Things She Makes.

Reindeer Party Balloons

On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer ... on to the Dollar Store! Make a balloon run and make your own ultra-creative holiday decorations that are sure to brighten up any party. Plus, your little ones can help give each balloon a smiling face! Learn more at A Subtle Revelry.

Snowmen Salt & Pepper Shakers

Who knew an inexpensive pair of salt and pepper shakers could turn into super cute snowmen? With a little paint and a friendly face, these little Frosty wannabes are just the thing for a quick gift or table addition. Get the instructions (along with more snowman inspiration) at 20 North Ora.

HI-CHEW Holiday Garland

Need a last-minute gift or a little something special to add to your tree? A Subtle Revelry has just the thing: a totally sweet garland! Colorful cellophane, string, and some HI-CHEWs (or other fave candy), and you're all set. Learn more here.

Paper Plate Snowman Garland

Greet your holiday guests with a cheerful snowman garland! It couldn't be easier to make since all you have to do is pick up some paper plates on the cheap. Then, enlist your holiday helpers to draw some smiling snowy faces and you're ready to go! Learn more at Real Life, One Day at a Time.

Handprint Oven Mitt

Customized oven gloves make the perfect hostess gift over the holiday period. Even better, you don't have to be particularly crafty, and you can still come up with a heartfelt homemade present. Head to Trish Sutton's blog for instructions and tips on the best dollar store gloves for the job.

Paper Wrapped Candles Centerpiece

These DIY paper wrapped candles will work as a gift as well as a dinner table centerpiece for any holiday get-together. Just customize the paper to your celebration, whether it's fall, winter or the new year. Pick up some winter wonderland gift wrap and dollar store sanctuary candles and head to Today's Creative Life for the details.

Personalized Candles

Ever wondered how to personalize a simple ivory candle? Well, here's one way of doing it with just packing tape! Head to It's Always Autumn for the instructions, and you'll have everything you need to give a beautiful personalized holiday gift to friends and family.

Bottle Brush Ornaments

Some metallic primer on the lid and top of a simple dollar store ornament and the effect is pure vintage. These snow globe ornaments make the perfect addition to a winter tree or would work well on a mantelpiece, depending on the size. Little House of Four has all the details.

Animal Magnet Gifts

A plastic dollar store hippo can get a festive magnet makeover and be put to use hanging holiday cards. Pick out more seasonal winter animals like deer or bears if you like, but we reckon even an upcycled dollar store dinosaur will be a welcome gift of gold. Sugar and Cloth has the instructions.

Clever Cocoa Mix

The gift of hot cocoa mix is always going to be well received, but if it's packaged in these cute mason jar snow globes, you'll earn extra smiles. Pick up your packaging supplies at the dollar store and the cocoa mix at the grocery and head to A Few Shortcuts for the instructions.

Tiered Party Plates

When you want to add a little seasonal flair to your party platters, some dollar store cake pans and candle holders can be crafted into a festive tiered appetizer tray. Get all the instructions at Southern State of Mind.

Pom Pom Stockings

Add some pizzazz to simple dollar store stockings with homemade pom poms! Head to Thistlewood Farms for the how-to and then deck the halls however you wish. If you have enough for every member of your party, they make clever silverware holders at the dinner table.

—Emily Myers & Abigail Matsumoto

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Recall Alert: Hallmark Recalls Teethers Due to Choking Hazard

by Karly WoodAugust 24, 2021

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall for Hallmark teethers. The Teether Rings come with decorative fabric, plush attachments and a wooden ring that can break into small pieces and pose a choking hazard.

Approximately 15,500 teethers were sold in the United States from Jun. 2015 through Jun. 2021 for $10 to $25. The products were purchased from Hallmark Gold Crown stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, boutique gift shops and at hallmark.com.

photo: CPSC

This recall applies to 11 different styles of round teethers, each sold with a gray woven brand label with the Hallmark brand crown and a hangtag. They were described as either “Plush and Wood Teether and Rattle” or “Wood and Detachable Cloth Teether for Little Droolers.”

Recalled teethers will have date codes of JUL15, 1117, 0618, 0719, or 1020. Parents can check specific SKU codes on the CPSC website here.

If you have a teether subject to the recall, immediately take away from children and contact Hallmark for a $25 gift card. Hallmark can be reached at 800-425-5627 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or online at hallmark.com/recall

––Karly Wood

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Recall Alert: Johnson & Johnson Recalling 5 Lines of Aerosol Sunscreens

Recall Alert: Johnson & Johnson Recalling 5 Lines of Aerosol Sunscreens

by Sarah ShebekJuly 19, 2021

It’s smart to be sun safe, but if you’ve been using certain sunscreens, it’s time to make a switch. Johnson & Johnson has announced it’s voluntarily recalling 14 sunscreen products from five different product lines due to the presence of benzene, a known carcinogen. All of the affected products are aerosol (spray) sunscreens.

Benzene is not an ingredient in any of the sunscreens, but it may have contaminated the products during the manufacturing process and internal testing identified low levels of the carcinogen. The following sunscreen lines are under recall:

NEUTROGENA^® Beach Defense^® aerosol sunscreen
NEUTROGENA^® Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen
NEUTROGENA^® Invisible Daily™ defense aerosol sunscreen
NEUTROGENA^® Ultra Sheer^® aerosol sunscreen
AVEENO^® Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen

If you have one or more of these products in your house, stop using them and discard. You can contact the JJCI Consumer Care Center with any questions. If you have more specific medical questions, contact your healthcare provider.

The Environmental Working Group recommends avoiding spray sunscreens due to inadequate coverage and potential inhalation risks. You can find a full report from the group on safer sunscreen choices online.

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Pichara Bann on Unsplash

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Recall Alert: Dole Recalls Blueberry Packages Due to Infection Potential

by Sarah ShebekJuly 2, 2021

If you live in Illinois, Maine, New York, or Wisconsin, check your blueberries! The FDA announced that Dole is recalling clamshell packages of fresh blueberries due to potential cyclospora contamination. It’s a parasite that can cause intestinal infection, including vomiting, diarrhea and severe abdominal pain.

The berries were packed between May 28 and June 9 and you can identify a problematic package by the UPC code or the product lot code (see the FDA release for the full product lot code list). Four UPC codes are affected:

0 71430 01154 6
0 71430 01151 5
07143001150 8
071430011155 3

If you find a package with one of these codes in your home, discard it immediately. No other Dole products are affected by this recall. If you have any questions, you can call the Dole Consumer Center at 1-800-356-3111, which is open 24 hours a day.

Fortunately, no illnesses have been reported yet in association with the recall.

—Sarah Shebek

Feature photo courtesy of the FDA

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New Barbie Is Saving the Ocean, 1 Doll at a Time

by Karly WoodJune 11, 2021

Barbie continues to change the world! Mattel has just announced the first fashion doll made from recycled ocean-bound plastic, a big benchmark for the company achieving 100% recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic materials for all products and packaging by 2030.

Barbie Loves the Ocean is currently made up of three dolls with 90% recycled ocean-bound plastic bodies (excluding the doll head). In addition to Barbie and her pals, the lineup also includes a Beach Shack playset, beach themed playset, volleyball set and accessories also made from recycled plastic.

“This Barbie launch is another addition to Mattel’s growing portfolio of purpose-driven brands that inspire environmental consciousness with our consumer as a key focus,” said Richard Dickson, President and Chief Operating Officer, Mattel.

In addition to the new dolls and accessories, young viewers can catch Barbie’s new vlog, Barbie Shares How We Can All Protect the Planet on YouTube. The new episode focuses on the importance of protecting our planet and simple things kids can do that make a big impact.

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Barbie and 4ocean are also pairing up this summer! The two are launching a limited-edition 4ocean x Barbie bracelet coming in signature pink made that is made with post-consumer recycled materials and hand-assembled by artisans in Bali. When you purchase the $20 bracelet, 4ocean will contribute educational materials to educate young conservationists plus pull one pound of trash from oceans, rivers and coastlines.

You can shop the entire Barbie Loves the Ocean line at retailers nationwide and Barbie.com. Pick up your limited edition bracelet at 4ocean.com.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Mattel

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Recall Alert: Fisher-Price Gliders Have Caused Infant Deaths

by Sarah ShebekJune 8, 2021

Heads up parents and parents-to-be: Fisher-Price is recalling two popular infant swings, the 4-in-1 Rock ‘n Glide Soothers and 2-in-1 Soothe ‘n Play Gliders. This is due to four deaths in the 4-in-1 product and approximately 175,000 of the two products combined are under recall in the U.S.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall, affecting model numbers CHP56, CHP55 and CBT81 in the 4-in-1 and GDD28, GDD39, GDD41, GGW85, GNX43, GVG43, HBD26 and HBD27 in the 2-in-1. Both products have a powered glider seat and an infant rocker feature, which move head-to-toe or side-to-side. You can find the model number on the underside of the base.

The tragic accidents occurred when the infants were reportedly placed on their backs unrestrained and were later found on their stomachs. All four occurred in the 4-in-1 product, with no fatalities reported in the 2-in-1 at this time.

The gliders were sold at popular retailers including Walmart, Target and Amazon. The 4-in-1 Rock ‘n Glide Soothers were sold from January 2014 through December 2020, for about $108. The 2-in-1 Soothe ‘n Play Gliders were sold from November 2018 through May 2021, for about $125.

If you have one of these gliders, immediately stop using it and contact Fisher Price for a refund. The CPSC emphasizes that babies should be placed to sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet or play yard.

––Sarah Shebek

Images courtesy of the Consumer Products Safety Commission

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Add Some Princess Power to Your Place with the “Happily Ever Home” Collection

by Sarah ShebekMay 28, 2021

A new Disney princess collaboration is coming exclusively to Target and it celebrates the spirit of four of the most iconic characters! The Disney Princess x POPSUGAR “Happily Ever Home” collection will have 35 pieces with Moana, Belle, Tiana and Ariel lines and it’s hitting stores on May 30.

In the four distinct princess categories you’ll find pieces ranging from $9.99 to $79.99. So what can you expect in the new lineup?

Moana’s line is “make the journey epic” with tropical patterned, beachy products. Belle’s “dares to be different” with royal blue and white color schemes and bookish items. Tiana “makes a dream real” in purple and sage and includes a chenille throw. Ariel’s line is “exploring new worlds” with seafoam green and light blue hues plus seashell details. You’ll also be able to buy a beauty fridge with five sheets of removable stickers featuring themes from all four of the Disney princesses.

“Aligning with various princess personalities through these home items will bring joy this summer for our Gen Z audience and for even some of the more mature (or just young millennial) Disney fans who believe in the power of Princesses,” said Lisa Sugar, Founder and President of POPSUGAR.

The collection is targeted at young adults and Gen Z—and Disney fans, of course. You can view it live now online at Target and start making your list of must-haves. After all, who couldn’t use a little princess home inspo?

—Sarah Shebek

Images courtesy of Disney Consumer Products

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Recall Alert: Ergobaby Strollers Recalled Due to Choking Hazard

by Karly WoodMay 27, 2021

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of several Ergobaby strollers. Certain models have buttons that can become detached and pose a choking hazard.

The affected models include the METROUS1, METROUS2 and METROUS4 Compact City Strollers and impact about 2,800 products. Keep scrolling to see all the details.

The METROUS1, METROUS2 and METROUS4 Compact City Strollers contain a black button on the middle of the buckle that releases the harness and are difficult to release. They can then break off while a child is in the stroller and be a potential choking hazard.

The recalled strollers were sold online at ErgoBaby.com, AlbeeBaby.com and Amazon.com from Jul. 2018 through Sept. 2019 for about $300.

To determine if your stroller is part of the recall, check the model name located on the inside of the frame, above the right-side rear wheel. The models have a black, gray, or teal blue canopy and Ergo Baby printed on the front bottom of the stroller.

If you have a recalled stroller, you should stop using it until you contact Ergobaby for instructions and a get full free replacement restraint harness with buckle. Consumers can contact the company toll-free at 888-416-4888 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, email at Support@Ergobaby.com, or online at www.ergobaby.com and click on “Safety Notifications” at the bottom of the page for more information.

Ergobaby has received 15 reports of broken buckles but no injuries at this time.

––Karly Wood

All products: Courtesy of the U.S. CPSC

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Recall Alert: IKEA Recalls Dinnerware Due to Burn Hazard

by Karly WoodMay 23, 2021

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall for IKEA HEROISK and TALRIKA bowls, plates and mugs. Made from PLA material from renewable sources, the products can become brittle and break, which may cause hot food or liquids to leak and cause burns.

The affected products were sold in a variety of colors including yellow, pink and blue. IKEA has been notified of 123 reports of issues worldwide, including four reports of injuries, most of which were burns.

Consumers can check if their products are affected by looking at the bottom of each product. Recalled items will have a supplier number of “23348,” “Made in Taiwan” and “PLA” molded on to the bottom.

The TALRIKA and HEROISK product were sold at IKEA stores nationwide and online from Aug. 2019 through May 2021 for $4-$12. If you do have a recalled item, stop using it immediately and return to an IKEA location for a full refund.

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Could We BE More Excited? HBO Max Announces Date for “Friends” Reunion

by Sarah ShebekMay 15, 2021

I’ll be there for you—again! FRIENDS: THE REUNION is coming to HBO Max on Thurs., May 27 and the original cast will return to the OG soundstage, Stage 24 on the Warner Bros. Studio Lot. It’s a real-life, unscripted celebration of one of the most popular shows of all time and also boasts a wealth of special guests.

Keep your eyes peeled for David Beckham, Justin Bieber, BTS, James Corden, Cindy Crawford, Lady Gaga, Mindy Kaling and more! HBO Max dropped a teaser today and we’re already clearing our calendars and prepping our popcorn.

Friends is one of TV’s most loved series and one of the highest-rated shows in its original 10-season network run. It won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series as well as Emmy Awards for Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow. The plot centers around a close-knit group of friends living in the Big Apple siblings Ross (David Schwimmer) and Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), along with friends Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) and Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston).

The reunion is in celebration of the first anniversary of HBO Max, WarnerMedia’s direct-to-consumer platform. It brings together content from HBO, Warner Bros., DC, Cartoon Network, Turner Classic Movies and more. HBO Max plans to launch in 60 additional markets this year, including Latin America and upgrades in Europe.

Tune in on Thur. May 27 to catch up with your favorite pals.

—Sarah Shebek

Video courtesy of HBO Max and WarnerMedia. Featured image courtesy of Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

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ML Interest Tag: consumer

17 Jolly Dollar Store Decor Ideas for Your Holiday Home

A Farmhouse Window

An Upcycled Wreath

A Customized Dollar Store Sign

Festive Candles

DIY Christmas Car Ornament

Reindeer Party Balloons

Snowmen Salt & Pepper Shakers

HI-CHEW Holiday Garland

Paper Plate Snowman Garland

Handprint Oven Mitt

Paper Wrapped Candles Centerpiece

Personalized Candles

Bottle Brush Ornaments

Animal Magnet Gifts

Clever Cocoa Mix

Tiered Party Plates

Pom Pom Stockings

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