The $1.25 Dollar Tree Find So Good I Went Back for 2 More

When I was planning my son’s first birthday party, I thought I was being so smart by choosing paper plates. With everything else going on—decorations to hang, cupcakes to frost, a one-year-old to keep happy—I figured they’d save me from a mountain of dishes and be perfect for the pulled pork sandwiches. But just as we were about to eat, I realized I’d made a critical mistake: The plates I’d bought were absurdly flimsy. I’d never seen anything like it!

My poor mother-in-law could barely hold her sandwich, let alone the trio of salads and pickled watermelon rinds I’d proudly whipped up. I ended up spending the rest of the party apologizing, running around with napkins, and cleaning up spills. It was a complete disaster, even when we doubled them up. Since then, I’ve found slightly better paper plates, but none of them are ideal.

So when I inadvertently came across these paper plate holders at Dollar Tree a couple of months ago, I immediately added them to my cart. They seemed so simple. They’re these colorful plastic rings that cradle and support a standard paper plate. But, practically speaking, they turn flimsy disposables into dinnerware we can confidently hold.

At just $1.25 for a four-pack, they’ve become one of my must-haves for any casual entertaining when I want the convenience of paper plates without the inevitable mess.

Why Dollar Tree’s Cooking Concepts Paper Plate Holders Are a Must-Have

These holders solve the biggest outdoor entertaining problem: the dreaded paper plate collapse. When I nestle a standard 8 1/2 to 9-inch paper plate into one of these plastic rings, it suddenly becomes sturdy enough to hold a fully loaded burger, potato salad, and corn on the cob without buckling or spilling.

The design is simple—I just have to press a paper plate down into the (slightly recessed) center of the plastic holder and tuck the edges into the lip, if necessary, and the whole thing creates a “nest” that keeps everything stable.

I love that I can comfortably serve meals on convenient paper plates without worrying that food will slide onto my guests’ clothes. Because they’re lightweight, they’re also incredibly easy to transport for picnics, beach outings, and camping trips. And since they stack neatly, they take up minimal storage space in my party supply bin.

In addition to these perks, they don’t add any complexity to the clean-up. I’ll give it a quick wash if something spills on the rim. But for the most part, I lift out used paper plates, toss them in the trash, and give the plastic holders a quick rinse.

These plate holders are great for backyard barbecues or even those wild kids’ parties. I liked them so much that I actually went back and bought a couple more packs. So, if you’re like me and appreciate a good, practical hack, you should grab some soon. Dollar Tree’s seasonal stuff disappears fast, and these won’t be an exception!

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