Short on money?

Need a great gift that looks like you spent more on it than you really did?

Well the Dollar Tree is here to rescue you.

Now, we all know that it's the thought that counts; this being said; it is possible to put together a thoughtful, inexpensive, yet attractive gift for less then ten dollars.

"How is that possible?" - You ask.

Believe me, I've had to do it plenty of times and no one has ever been the wiser.

More often than not, it's all about creativity, thinking outside the box, and presentation.

Here's a couple of gift ideas - all items purchased from the Dollar Tree - that are under ten dollars.

Enjoy!

* The Avid Book Reader.

The Dollar Tree carries a variety of books for all ages and taste.

Therefore, depending on the age or interest, this gift idea can be tailor-made to fit each individual.

Simply pick up:

1.) Two great books - $2.00

2.) Two bookmarks - $2.00

3.) Two plastic book-covers - $2.00

- Putting it all together:

a.) Place one bookmark in each book (make sure the bookmarks can still be seen).

b.) Lay the books (slightly askew) on top of the plastic book-covers.

c.) Secure it with a large rubber-band; camouflage it with a ribbon, tied into a medium bow.

Total cost - including rubber-band and ribbons (which can also be purchased at the Dollar Tree as well) - $8.00!

* The Cooking Diva.

For cooking divas, the Dollar Tree carries a variety of great cookbooks that cater toward light summer cooking, winter cooking, or year-round cooking.

A great less-than-ten-dollar gift idea would include:

1.) A cookbook - $1.00

2.) A set of wooden cooking spoons - $2.00

3.) A set of oven mitts accompanied with a matching set of potholders (they usually come in a set of twos) - $2.00

4.) An cooking apron in a color that corresponds with the pot holders and oven mitts - $1.00

- Putting it all together:

a.) Roll the cooking apron up in a tight roll and stick the wooden spoons in the small opening at the top (make sure a small portion of the top and the bottom of the spoons are visible - place a large rubber-band around the apron to secure it).

b.) Using the cookbook for your base; lay the potholders down diagonally on top of the cookbook, lay the apron on top of the potholders vertically, secure it with a rubber-band (rubber-band should fit around the apron, potholders, and book).

c.) Camouflage the rubber-band with a bright (color should correspond with the apron, oven mitts and potholders) ribbon, and tie it in a large bow.

Total cost - including rubber bands and ribbon (which you can purchase from the Dollar Tree as well) - $8.00!

* The Pet Owner.

For the pet owner, the Dollar Tree carries almost anything you'd need to take care of; and treat your four-legged family member like the king or queen they are.

Depending on whether they have a cat or a dog, here's what you need:

1.) A large water or food dish - $1.00

2.) A grooming brush - $1.00

3.) A small bag of doggie or cat treats - $1.00

- Putting it all together:

a.) Using the large water or food dish as the base container, place the bag of treats and grooming brush in the bowl.

b.) Tie a bright ribbon around the body of the water or food dish and tie it in a bow.

Total cost - ribbon included (which you can purchase at the Dollar Tree as well) $4.00!

* The Scrap-booking Enthusiast.

Scrap-booking enthusiast will love the scrap-booking supplies the Dollar Tree has to offer.

Here's what you need:

1.) A large scrapbook or photo album- $1.00

2.) Several packs of scrap-booking stickers - $2.00

3.) A pack of refillable scrap-booking pages - $1.00

4.) Scrap-booking ink stamps and pads (the Dollar Trees I frequent sell them separately, not as a set) - $2.00

- Putting it all together.

a.) In this order; lay the refillable scrap-booking pages on top of the scrapbook, lay the stickers on top of that, then place the ink-pads and ink-stamp on top of the stickers.

b.) Secure them all with a large rubber-band.

c.) Camouflage the rubber-band with a color coordinated ribbon and tie it in a nice large bow.

Total cost - (rubber-band and ribbons included) $8.00!

* For The Business Man or Woman.

Believe it or not, the Dollar Tree carries several great products for businessmen and women as well.

Here's what you'll need:

1.) After shave or body lotion - $1.00

2.) Two pairs of dress socks - $2.00

3.) Shoe shine kit (which includes a miniature can of black and brown shoe polish, a shoe brush, and a shoe buffing cloth) - $1.00

4.) A lint brush - $1.00

5.) A nail clipping kit (which includes nail filers, nail clippers, and small scissors) - $1.00

6.) Microfiber eyeglass cleaning cloth - $1.00

- Putting it all together:

a.) Using a small storage caddy, strategically place all the items in the caddy (in other words, make it look good), and place a bright ribbon around the body of the caddy, tying it into a small bow.

Total cost - including the storage caddy and ribbon - $9.00!

* The Relaxation Guru.

Looking for a great gift to help that special someone relax? Here's what you'll need:

1.) Inflatable bath pillow - $1.00

2.) Bath salts - $1.00

3.) Baby oil - $1.00

4.) Bubble bath - $1.00

5.) Two relaxing musical C.D's - $2.00

6.) A pair of cozy socks - $1.00

- Putting it all together:

a.) Using a medium sized pastel storage caddy, strategically place all the items inside, and place a color coordinated ribbon around the body of the storage caddy and tie it in a neat bow.

Total cost - including caddy and ribbon - $9.00!

* The Kiddies.

So many gift ideas abound since the Dollar Tree has a massive amount of items any kid would love!

For infants, there are soft rattles, stacking blocks, bibs, and other baby items.

For toddlers, there are large puzzle sets, play balls, bug collecting kits, and dress-up ware.

For older children, there are hula hoops, puzzles, play cars, jump ropes, paddle ball sets, bean bag toss sets, and so much more.

If your looking for educational items, the Dollar Tree also carries a good variety of flashcards, math, reading, and scientific experimentation activity books, educational posters and the like!

What makes these items even more appealing, is that they are all $1.00!

Therefore, your options are truly limitless.

Even if you have a gardener in your family, a beach or pool goer, an aspiring writer, a figurine collector, or a simple snack lover, the Dollar Tree truly has a wealth of items that can fit their personal taste.

It only takes a little imagination, creativity, and thinking outside the box, to put together a great ten dollar (or less) gift, that will truly thrill the recipient.

So visit you local Dollar Tree, and see what ideas you can come up with! (items may vary from one Dollar Tree to another)

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