When holiday hosting starts stretching my budget, I turn to Dollar General for practical swaps that keep the celebration intact. These eight picks replace pricier traditions and entertaining staples with lower-cost alternatives.
1. Candy Cane Icon Drinking Glasses – $3.00
Candy Cane Icon Drinking Glasses are a festive stand-in for Anthropologie Candy Cane Icon Drinking Glasses, sized at 14 oz each for holiday drinks. At about $3.00, they deliver the designer-inspired look for far less.
Parting Thoughts: I’d grab these when the drinkware needs holiday spirit but the hosting budget is already spoken for.
2. Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Turkey – $2.00-$3.25 (often 2 for $4)
Instead of making homemade bread stuffing from scratch, this 6 oz box puts a familiar holiday side on the table with much less work. The $2.00-$3.25 (often 2 for $4) price leaves more room for the turkey and pricier fixings.
Parting Thoughts: For a crowded menu, this is the kind of sensible shortcut that earns its spot.
3. Idahoan Original Mashed Potatoes, 13.75 oz Box – $1.50-$3.25
Peeling fresh russets gets expensive and tedious, so this 13.75 oz box is my swap for homemade mashed potatoes from fresh russets. At $1.50-$3.25, it covers a core holiday side while keeping both prep and spending manageable.
Parting Thoughts: Budget hosts who need every side accounted for will get solid mileage from this box.
4. Round Dinner Plate, Green – $1.00
A green stoneware plate with a reactive glaze can replace fine china or Anthropologie/Target designer holiday plates at the table. For $1.00 each, it is an unusually affordable way to build enough place settings for extra guests.
Parting Thoughts: This one is worth considering when mismatched everyday dishes make the table feel unfinished.
5. Christmas Pals Printed Paper Lunch Napkins – $1.00-$2.00
Cleanup gets easier with these 16-count printed napkins, an inexpensive substitute for Hallmark or fancy paper napkins. Priced at $1.00-$2.00, one pack adds a clear holiday detail without committing much of the party budget.
Parting Thoughts: Keep a pack handy for dinner, brunch, or any last-minute round of guests.
6. Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce – $2.00-$2.50
Opening this 14 oz can is the low-effort alternative to making homemade fresh cranberry sauce for the holiday spread. At $2.00-$2.50, it fills that traditional spot on the plate for less money and labor.
Parting Thoughts: Traditionalists may appreciate this swap most, especially when the stovetop is already crowded.
7. Bruce’s Yams Cut Sweet Potatoes in Syrup, 29 oz – $2.85
Casserole duty costs less with these 29 oz canned sweet potatoes replacing fresh sweet potatoes that need more prep. The $2.85 price is especially useful when several holiday sides must fit into one grocery run.
Parting Thoughts: At under three dollars, this is an easy place to trim the menu total.
8. Disposable Snowman Tablecloth – $5.00
For the kids’ table or a packed dining room, this full-size disposable covering replaces cloth holiday tablecloths from Target or Wayfair. The $5.00 cost buys surface protection and avoids adding another linen to the post-party workload.
Parting Thoughts: Mess-prone gatherings are where this practical five-dollar swap makes the strongest case.
