Learn the 32 best stores to budget shop for themed gifts! One of my most favorite things to do is shop for themed gifts. My goal is always not to spend much on each individual find, yet ensure the themed gifts make one impressive and unique gift.
Not only is it exciting to find an expensive item on a deep discount, it’s also a fun challenge to find additional bargain items to complete a themed gift like I did with my anchor nautical themed gift idea.
32 BEST STORES TO BUDGET SHOP FOR THEMED GIFTS ~ UPDATED 2022
I’ve compiled 32 of my favorite stores and websites that are great places to find themed gifts. Throughout the years, I’ve used all of these to help me find bargain items to build awesome themed gifts, such as, my inexpensive starfish gift idea.
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9 CATEGORIES FOR MY FAVORITE STORES:
- Discount stores
- Discount “upper” scale stores
- Dollar stores
- Thrift stores
- Craft stores
- Department stores
- Chain stores
- Online websites and catalogs
- Grocery and drug stores
1. DISCOUNT STORES
- Ollie’s Bargain Outlet
- Christmas Tree Shops
- Old Time Pottery
- Big Lots
Ollie’s is the perfect place to find bargains on cookbooks and children’s books.
Don’t let the “Christmas” Tree Shops fool you as they are filled with a variety of departments and only have Christmas items during that holiday period.
(Updated 2022) – Big Lots has slowly become less of a bargain store, but it’s still worth looking at some of their kitchen items.
2. DISCOUNT “UPPER” SCALE STORES
- Tuesday Morning
- Home Goods
- Marshalls
- T.J. Maxx
- HomeSense
At these stores you can find name brand items for much less. My absolutely favorite store is Tuesday Morning where I have found many theme bargains throughout the years.
3. DOLLAR STORES
- Dollar Tree
- Dollar General
- Family Dollar
- Five Below
Dollar stores are great for finding wrapping supplies, glasses and dishes, and plastic baskets and containers.
I once had a “lemon” themed gift that I scored some cute $1 glasses with lemons printed on them at the Dollar Tree.
4. THRIFT STORES
- Salvation Army
- Goodwill
- Habitat for Humanity / ReStore
- Local thrift shops
Goodwill often times have items donated directly from Target and Pier 1 so be on the look out for those bargains.
Thrift stores may have items that you can makeover, upcycle, or repurpose to add to your themed gift. I gave a thrift store mirror a makeover for a “positive vibes” themed gift.
SEE MORE STORES TO BUDGET SHOP FOR THEMED GIFTS
5. CRAFT STORES
- Joann Fabric and Craft
- Hobby Lobby (update – no longer offers coupons)
A.C. Moore- Michaels
Theme aisles are plentiful in craft stores. Take advantage of their end-of-season sales. Also, some of these stores occasionally allow you to stack a coupon on top of a promotional sale.
6. DEPARTMENT STORES
- Kohl’s
- JC Penny
- Boscovs
Wait for those 75% off clearance sales and stack a coupon, but if you get FOMO (fear of missing out) purchase at 50% off and hopefully stack a coupon.
I discovered Boscovs department store recently, and I’m liking their garden flags on sale and mugs for possible theme gift ideas.
7. CHAIN STORES
- Target
Pier 1- Bed Bath & Beyond
- Walmart
- World Market
Target has incredible clearance sales that you can catch at 75% or 90% off. Walmart once had pineapple themed home items, so I ended up making a cute “pineapple” themed gift.
Check at both the World Market and Bed Bath & Beyond after Christmas sales because they often have items in those sections that can be used in non-holiday themes.
8. ONLINE WEBSITES AND CATALOGS
- Paper House Productions (use my affiliate discount code NAMEBCS10 for 15% off)
- Amazon
- Oriental Trading Company
Paper House Productions offers perfect themed gift items, such as, The Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter and so many more like animals and sports! I’m currently working on an “Art” theme and I was able to find a handful of items on their website.
On Amazon, during a Black Friday event, I found an incredible deal on Sharpie markers. I got over 50 Sharpie markers for 70% off! Great for an “arts and crafts” theme.
Oriental Trading Company conveniently list items by theme. My favorites are their paper products.
9. GROCERY AND DRUG STORES:
- CVS
- Walgreens
- Food Lion
Drug stores always carry small seasonal sections in their stores and can be “hit or miss,” but still worth a quick look.
I once scored a gingham printed melamine tray and plates at a Food Lion grocery. They were both very inexpensive and perfect for my “gingham” themed gift. They always have cute seasonal items to choose from.
Did you learn any new places to add to your shopping excursions? Leave a comment below and tell me your favorite budget stores to shop.
You may also like to read 4 ways how to build a themed gift on a budget.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO SEE CHERRY AND GINGHAM GIFT BASKET IDEA
Sharing my themed gift post at these fabulous blogs!
Yes! I love all these stores. My absolute favorite budget store is Christmas Tree Shops. It’s actually dangerous because I can spend a lot of money there, but they have such great prices on everything! Great roundup post – thanks for sharing!
Yes, it’s hard not to scoop up all the bargains at Christmas Tree Shops!! Thanks for visiting Southern Sunflowers!