Confession: I'm addicted to dollar store deals

With just about every project I start, my eyes tend to be bigger than my budget. Planning Noah's second birthday is no exception. I have a big vision, and an equally as long list of things I need.

Thankfully, I am able to make many things (see here and here and more that has yet to be posted) or find fantastic bargains!

Tonight, little love and I went on a mommy/Noah shopping excursion to the Dollar Tree. (I actually gave him the choice of either the dollar store or the office store, and he chose "office". I'm pretty sure he thought we were going home to our office, though, so my vote won out in the end.)

As we walked up and down the aisles, I was able to find many things I could use for the party. Here's a breakdown:

1. frames for a few signs I'll have on the tables
2. gumball machines I can fill with candy or colored goldfish crackers
3. adorable pinwheels that can be stuck in centerpieces throughout (or favors)
4. a big bowl for popcorn or other snacks
5. zipper seal bags. I'll have a post coming in the next few days about this project
6. ribbon. needs no explanation, really... you can use it for many things! 
7. tissue paper for paper flowers. how-to post will be up tomorrow!

Everything in the picture was less than $12... now THAT'S how you stay on budget!

My favorite find by far is the gumball machine. As soon as we got home tonight, I cleaned it out, and filled it with goldfish.

It actually works, too! SCORE! 

What's the best dollar store find you've ever purchased?