September is a great time to start looking for Christmas items. As a frugal girl, I always look for cute items I can get for less. You are missing out if you haven’t checked out a Dollar General yet!
They have an entire aisle of $1 items! That means it’s cheaper than DOLLAR TREE! Crazy right? I also did a post on Dollar General Kids Stocking Stuffers here. Most of these items I spotted at my Dollar General may or may not have. If you haven’t found a “good” Dollar General, try to find one that’s newer; they tend to be better.
Tweens and teens can be particularly tricky—they’re no longer kids but not quite teens, making it hard to find something that’s both cool and budget-friendly. I’ve shared some items that I think my 11 and 13-year-old girls would enjoy, and I hope yours will too.
What Makes the Cut?
When I chose these stocking stuffers, I aimed for three main criteria:
- Quality: No one wants a gift that falls apart after a day.
- Affordability: Each item on this list is budget-friendly.
- Appeal to Tweens: Because, let’s face it, tweens have high standards.
Affordable craft kits available at Dollar General for under $5
Craft kits are a fun and engaging way for tweens to express their creativity. From friendship bracelet kits to slime-making sets, these kits provide hours of entertainment. Plus, they’re often priced under $15. At our Dollar General, I found blank wooden coasters, which would be a cute idea for $1.
Paints
Our Dollar General has a great selection of paints for only $1 each. My oldest daughter loves to draw, paint, and color, so picking up a bunch of paints at this price is a great stocking stuffer.
Funky Socks
Gone are the days when socks were considered boring gifts. Now, you can find socks with funky patterns, cute animals, or even favorite TV show characters. They make for a practical yet exciting gift at around $5-$10 a pair. My own tween loves her avocado-patterned socks—yes, avocados!
Our Dollar General and Dollar Tree have cute socks throughout the year.
Personalized Stationery
Nothing says “thoughtful” like personalized stationery. Think notebooks with their names or initials, custom pens, and unique sticky notes. Many online retailers offer these options for under $15. Not only do they add a touch of individuality, but they’re also useful for school.
Notebooks/Notepads/ Journal
I found a couple of really cute notebooks at Dollar General that would be perfect for a tween. They were priced between $2 and $5. Encourage a love for reading and creativity with books or journals. Whether it’s the latest bestseller, a graphic novel, or a diary, these gifts can be both educational and enjoyable.
Mini Gadgets
Tweens love tech, but you don’t have to splurge on the latest iPhone. Mini gadgets like portable phone chargers, pop sockets, or even LED light strips for their rooms can be both affordable and exciting. These items typically cost between $10 and $20.
Novelty Keychains
A small but personal accessory, novelty keychains come in all shapes and sizes—from their favorite emojis to mini plush toys. They’re usually under $5, making collecting a few different ones easy. My girls are drawn to the ones found at Five Below.
Puzzle Games
Educational and entertaining, puzzle games like Rubik’s Cubes, brain teasers, or jigsaw puzzles are great for keeping tweens occupied. They stimulate the mind and can be enjoyed solo or with friends. Prices range from $5-$15, making them an affordable option.
Creative Coloring Sets
Coloring isn’t just for little kids; it can be therapeutic for tweens too. Creative coloring sets, including adult coloring books and high-quality colored pencils, can provide hours of artistic enjoyment. These sets are often priced between $10-$20.
Bath Bombs
Give your tween a reason to relax in a bath tub again! These bath bombs are at Dollar General for $1 a pack!
Pencil/Brush Holder
For the tweens who love to draw, you can combine this with some of the other ideas above. This Pencil and Brush Organizer was only $4 at Dollar General.
Thinking Putty
This would make a great stocking stuffer, a little more grown-up than the slime and another putty at Dollar stores. I spotted this three-pack at Dollar General.
Character Pouch
I found this cute little character zip-up pouch at Dollar General. This would be cute to put makeup hair accessories in. The price was $3.
Mini Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottles
These were so cute and screamed tween to me! Plus, how cute in a stocking stuffer! I know my older daughter doesn’t take the Stanley to school as much because it’s BIG and BULKY! I spotted this at Dollar General. I forgot to take a picture, but I’m 90% sure they were $6.
Character USB Flash Drives
Combine fun and functionality with USB flash drives shaped like favorite characters from movies, TV shows, or video games. They’re useful for school projects and come in various designs. You can find these for around $10-$15.
Snacks/Candy
Who says stocking stuffers have to be toys or gadgets? Unique, healthy snacks like organic fruit bars, trail mix, or even a small selection of chocolates can be a delightful surprise. Prices vary, but you can easily fill a stocking with tasty treats for under $10.
My teen loves candy, there is no way around it and Dollar General has a nice selection of candy for $1.
International Delight Iced Coffee
If your tween or teen girl loves Iced Coffee, this was a cute find and a fun Stocking stuffer! Plus I’ve seen offers for these in Ibotta and the Dollar General app.
Our DG had Mocha and then a Reese’s flavor for $2.50 each.
Body Spray
Do I need to say more? LOL! If you have a teen you know all about the body spray. The Body Fantasies at Dollar General are the perfect size for a stocking stuffer. Priced at $3.50 it’s a deal.
Leggings
My tween still loves leggings; my actual teen, not so much. I spotted These super soft and cute leggings at Dollar General for $3.50!
ChapStick
Any chapstick or lipgloss is a fun gift or stocking stuffer for tweens and teens. I spotted this three pack of Chap Stick at Dollar General.
Gel Nail Strips
My girls love doing their nails with these. Dollar General has a decent selection of styles and colors for $5.
Nail Art Stickers
They can add nail art stickers if they don’t want to go full-on gel. Again, at Dollar General, it is for $5 each.
Small Backpacks/Purse
This is the age at which they may want to start carrying a purse or little backpack. For $8, Dollar General sold a really cute, soft style.
Nail Polish
Both Dollar General and Dollar Tree carry the L.A. Colors nail polish. If you can spot it at Dollar Tree it’s a better deal. Our DG had a good selection of colors for $2.25 each.
Pimple Patches
Some of you may not be practical gift givers, but here in our house, we all LOVE practical gifts. These were only $1 at our Dollar General!
Poopsy Daisy
I was shocked to find this in the $1 aisle at Dollar General. I had to look it up on Tiktok and see if others have used it. Many reviews said it works just as well as the Name Brand, but is EXPENSIVE! You can’t beat this for $1, and it’s a funny and another practical gift!
Gift Cards
If you’re unsure what to get a tween, gift cards are always a safe bet. They can choose their present and feel empowered by making decisions. Plus, with the rise of online shopping, there’s no need to worry about physically going to a store.
Gift cards can be purchased in any denomination, so you can stay within your budget. And who knows? Maybe they’ll use it towards that novelty keychain or puzzle game they’ve been eyeing. So whether it’s for $5 or $50, gift cards provide endless possibilities for tweens to get exactly what they want.
Finding the perfect stocking stuffer or gifts for tweens doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a bit of creativity and thoughtful selection, you can fill their stockings with gifts they’ll love and appreciate—all while staying within your budget. Remember, it’s the thought that counts, and sometimes the smallest gifts make the most significant impact.
What affordable gift ideas do you have for tweens and teens? Share your tips and suggestions—I’d love to hear from you! 🎄🎁
Frugal Stocking Stuffers for Elementary Kids
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