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These Dollar Tree Summer BBQ Supplies Are Actually Worth Buying

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Split image: Left shows iridescent blue and green tumblers on a shelf labeled $1.50 at Dollar Tree. Right features a red pot holder with burgers, hot dogs, the text "GRILLIN’ TIME!" and a bilingual price tag—perfect for summer fun.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

Summer cookout season is FINALLY here, and we’re more than ready to invite the neighborhood to our backyard for some fun in the sun. Our wallet isn’t too thrilled about the prospect of throwing a party, though, which is why we’re headed to Dollar Tree to pick up cookout supplies. They’re festive, fun, and most importantly, cheaper than anywhere else. Here are the best summer party supplies we spotted on a recent trip to Dollar Tree. 

Drink Pitchers

Two clear plastic pitchers on a store shelf; the left one has a blue crab and sea motif with the text "LET THE SEA SET YOU FREE," and the right one features lemon slices and the text "Squeeze the day.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

You can never have too many drink pitchers in the summer when the kids want Kool-Aid, you want iced tea, and grandma wants lemonade. They’re indispensable for parties, too.

Serving Bowls and Platters

Several rectangular plates with sea-themed designs and large bowls with crab illustrations are displayed on a store shelf, both priced at $7.50. Signs above read "Summer Party Unless Otherwise Marked.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

There’s a huge assortment of cute serving platters and bowls at Dollar Tree right now. They have patterns perfect for seafood boils and fruit salad that match the pitchers and other supplies.

Iridescent Plastic Cups

Iridescent blue and green glass cups and vases are displayed on a store shelf with a sign reading “Summer Party” and a price of $1.50.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

You don’t really want cookout guests to use your good glassware, but you also don’t want to cheap out with paper. These pretty stemless wine glasses and tumblers are a good compromise.

Condiment Squeeze Bottles

Clear plastic squeeze bottles with red and yellow caps hang in a store display. The bottles have text reading "Chill, Eat, Chill, Repeat." Nearby, blue oven mitts say "Good Eats and BBQ." Flowers are visible in the background.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

If you make your own condiments and sauces, then these classic squeeze bottles are a must. Plus, they help keep things tidy and are simple to use. They’ll come in handy more often than you think, trust us.

Paper Plates

Colorful paper plates shaped like popsicles with fruit designs and lemon slices are displayed on a store shelf, along with shell-shaped purple shot glasses and pink trays in the background.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

Piling corn on the cob and cookies on kitschy paper plates is a core childhood memory for a lot of Millennials, and now we’re ready to pass that experience on. Dollar Tree has all kinds of fun shaped plates, from popsicles to watermelon slices. 

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Grilling Tools

Various BBQ tools, including a grill brush and spatula, hang on a pegboard display in a store aisle. The items are packaged, and other kitchen and picnic supplies are visible nearby.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

You better check the state of your grilling tools before your first summer barbecue. If you need to replace anything like grill brushes, metal spatulas, or long-handled tongs, Dollar Tree has you covered.

Lawn Flamingos

Bright pink plastic flamingo decorations hang on a metal display rack in a store, with sunlight streaming in from a window. Price tags are visible, and other colorful items are displayed nearby.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

Does our summer party need a pink plastic lawn flamingo? No. Do we want one anyway? Of course.

2-Liter Sodas

Bottles of Faygo soda in orange and redpop flavors are lined up on grocery store shelves, with other sodas like Starry Pineapple and Starry Stripe nearby.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

Soda is so overpriced now, especially when you figure it’s mostly water and corn syrup. No one will know or care that the soda at your party is from Dollar Tree, so there’s no reason to buy it anywhere else.

Drink Dispenser and Cup Set

Plastic beverage dispensers and cups shaped like pineapples, lemons, and a red jar with black seeds resembling a watermelon are displayed on a store shelf.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

How cute are these fruit-shaped drink dispensers? Each one comes with matching plastic cups, and they’re only $5.

Paper Napkins

Two boxes of decorative napkins on a store shelf: one has green napkins shaped like watermelon slices, the other has pink napkins with flamingos, watermelons, and leaves. Colorful bottles are visible on the shelf below.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

We’re suckers for festive napkins, and there are a ton at Dollar Tree right now. Many match other items, like the fruit slice paper plates, so you can be super coordinated. 

Grilling Pot Holders

A red pot holder with images of burgers, hot dogs, and condiments hangs on a store shelf. The text on it reads "GRILLIN' TIME!" A label above says "Pot Holders" and nearby are other kitchen items.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

Pot holders should probably be replaced more often than we think. Grab a couple festive grill-themed ones to use at your summer barbecue. 

Banner Decorations

Colorful summer-themed banner decorations hang on a store display, featuring designs like pineapples, tropical flowers, and the words "SUMMER TIME" and "ALOHA" in vibrant colors.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

You cannot go wrong with a luau or tropical themed summer party. These cheap cardboard banners add just the right amount of kitsch, if you ask us. 

Tablecloths and Kitchen Towels

Colorful kitchen towels and napkins with fruit designs, including lemons, oranges, and watermelon, hang on display hooks against a white slat wall in a store. One towel says “Squeeze the day.”
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

An outdoor tablecloth — even one with cute designs like these — feels fun without being over-the-top. Plus, it’ll keep the kids with the sticky melted popsicle fingers from staining your table. 

Chips and Snacks

Bags of assorted chips, including potato chips, kettle chips, and cheese snacks, are arranged on metal shelves in a store. The shelves also display a few small non-food items on the left side.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

Dollar Tree has a big selection of potato chips, tortilla chips, and other snacks. Some are brand name; most are not. No one will complain either way.

Color Coordinated Tableware

Colorful disposable party supplies, including plates, napkins, and utensils, are displayed on store shelves in red, pink, yellow, blue, green, and turquoise packaging. Items are neatly organized by color.
Lacey Muszynski/Cheapism

If you want to throw a full-on, color-coordinated 1990s style party, Dollar Tree is the best place to grab cheap solid color plates, napkins, plastic cutlery, and tablecloths. There’s a whole rainbow of options, so go crazy with that color scheme you always loved but never had an event to plan around.

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Meet the Writer


Lacey Muszynski

Lacey Muszynski is a staff writer at Cheapism covering food, travel, and more. She has over 15 years of writing and editing experience, and her restaurant reviews and recipes have previously appeared in Serious Eats, Thrillist, and countless publications in her home state of Wisconsin.