One way I like to save money during the holidays is by stocking up on small giftable treats at Dollar Tree. If you haven’t been lately, you should know that the budget-friendly retailer is currently overflowing with great finds, including mini jars of Nutella, boxes of sour candy, gingerbread-flavored caramels, and so much more.

Recently, I was browsing the store ad and noticed one of my family’s go-to winter essentials was featured—and it’s cheaper than I’ve seen anywhere else.

Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix at Dollar Tree

Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix is available at Dollar Tree. The snow day staple is the perfect way to warm up after playing outside, and we can’t imagine any other drink to sip on while driving around to see Christmas lights. Fans can snag a box with six packets of the convenient mix for just $1.25, a roughly 20-cent savings per pouch compared to similarly sized boxes at Walmart and Target.

Allrecipes/Sara Haas

At Dollar Tree, shoppers can choose between Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate with Mini Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Mix and the regular milk chocolate, which is free from the pillowy additions. Preparation is simple: Empty the pouch into a cup, whisk the powder into warm milk or water, and it’s ready to enjoy.

If you want to make the cup feel extra special, you can do so with just a few easy upgrades. Instead of traditional marshmallows, you can swap them for festive tree-shaped Peeps (which are also sold at Dollar Tree) and add a candy cane on the side for a peppermint twist. Alternatively, you can garnish a serving with fluffy whipped cream topped with holiday sprinkles or colorful sanding sugar. Even better, you can add the mix to coffee, too.

And if it’s within budget, you can also pick up a few adorable holiday mugs for serving at Dollar Tree. My family has been using the same Christmas-themed set for years, and taking it out of storage every December is something we always look forward to.

So, the next time you’re at Dollar Tree, grab a couple of boxes of Swiss Miss and save a few bucks. Even if you don’t yet have a plan for using them, you’ll be glad you did when you spontaneously decide to whip up a batch of hot cocoa dip or make a chocolaty snack mix.

Dining and Cooking