If you want to save a few bucks getting festive preparing for the holidays this year, learn to cut corners at the dollar store. It's a boots-on-the-ground savings tactic many large families learned out of necessity long ago. Good thing, too, since Americans expect to spend an average $1,048 shopping for the holidays in 2019, up about 4% from 2018, according to a National Retail Federation survey. The majority of the spending ($659) will go toward gifts, naturally. But a big chunk ($389) will be devoted to decorations, greeting cards, flowers, food and other non-gift purchases.

"You don't want to break the bank for home decor that's only on display for one month each year. Dollar stores have everything from large-scale, light-up lawn decorations to festive knick-knacks and wall decor," says Kelsey Sheehy, personal finance expert at NerdWallet.

So whether decking your halls, prepping the holiday meal or ho-ho-hosting a seasonal party, see how your budget has a friend at the dollar store.

Holiday Cards

Getty Images

Join the crowd if you're one of those who just can't get a jump on getting your holiday greeting cards out the door and in the mail. Or if you cringe at the prices on the back of the major label cards you find at Target or the supermarket (each card is