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Dollar Tree vs. Hobby Lobby: High-End Christmas Decor Dupes on a Budget
- Shelbe Brooks
- Nov 21
- 4 min read
I have a confession to make...
This week’s blog post was supposed to be a standard tutorial on Dollar Tree Christmas hacks. I had everything filmed. The projects looked beautiful. I was ready to edit.
And then... I accidentally permanently deleted all the footage.
Cue the panic.
After a moment of "what do I do now?!", I realized this disaster was actually an opportunity. I ran to Hobby Lobby, grabbed similar (but more expensive) supplies, and decided to turn this into the ultimate experiment.
Today, we are doing a Price Showdown.
I’m recreating my Dollar Tree projects using high-end Hobby Lobby supplies to answer the question every crafter has: Is the extra money actually worth it?
You can watch the full breakdown (and hear the full story of my tech disaster) in the video below, or keep reading to see the results of the showdown!
Want to skip the reading and watch the video on our Youtube Channel? Click Below!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Round 1: The Outdoor Candy Cane Lane
The Dollar Tree Find: LED Candy Cane Stakes ($1.50 each)
The Verdict: Dollar Tree Wins.
I used these $1.50 stakes to line my entryway, and they look fantastic. Hobby Lobby sells similar stakes for double or triple the price. But here is my rule for outdoor decor: if it’s going to get snowed on, rained on, and stepped on, stick with the budget version. These light up beautifully and give you that classic Christmas curb appeal for pennies.
Grab yours here: https://tidd.ly/44gychF
Disclaimer: The dollar tree links above are affiliate links and i may gain a small comission. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue bringing you free weekly ideas! Thank you for supporting our small business!
Round 2: The DIY Designer Tree
This is the project that hurt the most to lose, because the result was stunning. I built a high-end looking mini Christmas tree from scratch.
The Dollar Tree Version:
 * Cost: Approx. $28
 * Supplies: Foam cone, wood cutout base, Dollar Tree pine sprigs, fabric skirt.
The Hobby Lobby Version:
 * Cost: Significantly higher (due to premium greenery).
 * Supplies: Same method, but using "real touch" greenery.
The Verdict:
The Hobby Lobby greenery was definitely easier to work with—it’s fuller and feels more realistic. However, when you step back and look at them side-by-side? The Dollar Tree version holds its own! If you are on a strict budget, you can absolutely get a designer look for under $30.
Round 3: Fabric Wrapped "Presents"
I love using faux presents to fill in gaps under the tree or on a sleigh display.
The Dollar Tree Hack:
I made 6 of these for just $10.75 total. I used dollar store foam blocks and their holiday fabric.
The Hobby Lobby Upgrade:
I used premium fabric and wired ribbon. The difference here is tactile. The expensive fabric is thicker and folds sharper. The wired ribbon holds its shape better.
Round 4: The Winter Wonderland Hallway
While the showdown was intense, I have to give a massive solo win to Dollar Tree for this next idea. This is one of the highest-impact hacks I’ve ever done, and it requires zero expensive craft store supplies.
The Dollar Tree Hack:
I created a "floating" light effect in my hallway using three things:
 * $1.50 LED Light Strands: These 5-foot battery-operated strands are a steal.
 * Fishing Line: The secret weapon!
 * Leftover Ornaments: Bulbs that didn't make it onto the tree.
How It Works:
I strung the ornaments onto fishing line at varying lengths to create a "falling snow" effect and taped them to the ceiling. Then, I taped the battery packs of the light strands up high and draped the lights loosely between the ornaments.
The Verdict:
Pure Magic. When you turn off the main overhead lights, the fishing line disappears. You are left with a shimmering, glowing tunnel that looks incredibly expensive. It’s a simple way to bring Christmas magic to a neglected space for under $10!
The Verdict:
It depends on placement!
 * High Shelf? Use Dollar Tree. No one will be able to tell the difference from a distance.
 * Coffee Table? Splurge for the craft store fabric. If people are going to touch it, the quality makes a difference.
Want to Skip the Shopping Chaos?
If watching me run between three stores and panic about deleted footage sounds stressful... I get it!
That is exactly why I created my DIY Ornament Kits. I do the shopping, the measuring, and the prep work for you. You just get a beautiful box with everything you need to create a stunning, high-end ornament.
We have 5 new designs (including a personalized Reindeer!) available right now.
Final Thoughts: Team Dollar Tree or Team Hobby Lobby?
This "disaster" turned out to be one of my favorite experiments. It proved that you don't always need to spend big money to get a high-end look. With a little creativity (and a lot of hot glue), you can transform budget finds into holiday magic.
Which side are you on? Are you Team Dollar Tree savings, or Team Hobby Lobby quality? Let me know in the comments on the video!
Happy Crafting!
- Shelby, Crazy Craft Creations
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