Uh, oh…I went to the dollar store again 😯 . My oldest daughter (my accomplice) helped me create a “Dollar Store Christmas 3-Tier Tray” before we had to pick up my youngest at practice. Ladies were looking at us very “peculiar-ly” as I switched out the plates and set the rather large tray on a display in the middle of the isle. I ran back-n-forth in my boots around to the candle isle a couple times, and became extremely indecisive, but my daughter gets it :lol:. You see, I had been invited to this cute Christmas tray blog-hop (see my friend’s trays at the end of this post) where we get to create a Christmas “tray”. I really wanted something similar to the 3-tier farmhouse trays you see in stores now, but I didn’t want to spend big bucks, and I wanted it to be different. How does $6.00 sound for a gorgeous tray that can be used at Christmas office parties, holiday family gatherings, church cookie exchanges, or any celebration including the 4th of July. BONUS: You’ll find 2 amazing Christmas treat recipes below, too. Here’s how I did it step by step…
First, head to the dollar store, or look in your cabinets for 3 different sized plates ( I like to mix it up). Look for plates that state that they are “lead free” on the back. This is a must if you plan on using them for food. Then you’ll need 3 large votive candle holders (or glasses) to be used as the “middle”.
Set the largest plate on a hard surface, and set the candle holder upside down in the middle of the plate (I found all of these items at the dollar store this year). Glue the second sized plate to the bottom of the votive candle (see above). There is no need to glue the votive to the bottom plate (see why, later).
Lastly, glue the smallest plate to the bottom of another candle holder and when set, put it on the middle plate to make it look like this (below). Glue another candle holder onto the top small plate, and it finishes it off. I actually set a “doily inside circle that I cut” on first so it could be moveable. I also decided to use paper doilies for the other 2 plates. Here’s how…
To help the doilies fit better, I cut one so I used the edge on the middle plate, and the small inside circle on the top plate. The bottom plate got a full doily. The doilies add a special professional bakery vibe to the tray and can also be great if your not sure about the lead in a plate . Both the candy cane sticks and little red ornaments were all from the dollar store as well. You could add anything you like up there. The options are endless because the dollar store is loaded with candies, etc.. I almost made this into a “chip, pretzel, & dip tray”, because I find the best chips & pretzels at the dollar store. No joke. And you guys know I do not work for the dollar store, but they really need to hire me into their advertising department 😆 .
This is how the tray looks right before the guests arrive…
Both homemade sweet treat recipes can be found on my blog here:
Nutella Brownie Recipe -kids love
Butterball Cookie Recipe-perfect with coffee
What makes this 3-Tier Tray really convenient is that you can disassemble as you wish and make smaller trays with different items. I made this cute cookie tray below with just 2 of the plates, and 1 of the candle holders. So simple, yet elegant.
Please let me know if you try this 3-Tier Tray and where you will display it. You could always just display your favorite ornaments on it, too!
Domestically Speaking
Inspiration for Moms
Home with Cupcakes and Crinoline
Clean and Scentsible
An Extraordinary Day
Yesterday on Tuesday
The Country Chic Cottage
Redhead Can Decorate
Create & Babble
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Tags: Christmas, dollar store, holiday, new years eve, tray Posted by

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So festive – amazing what you can do with goodies from the dollar store!
Thanks, Maryann!
Wonderful, cute, inexpensive, stylish ideas, so glad you shared all these. At this point see so many ideas my head is swimming. Trying to decide which ones will actually implement, course time will tell. Even tho am starting earlier than ever have to make gifts, decorative items, the time will fly.
Love your tray, is so inventive and pretty to use. Would make one for daughter but think she’d complain about where to store it, she’s into purging everything she can now and I’m not allowed to look at what she’s purging, gee wonder why.
Always enjoy your posts, so inspirational.
Have great week
Thank you, JaneEllen! I am having a huge garage sale next May. I have been gathering things and I am so looking forward to it all being gone. This tray would be great to use at an office and leave it there, lol!
6 bucks, what a bargain, you would never know! Now I want to eat all those yummy treats 🙂
Ah the dollar store! What an awesome place!
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Julie, I LOVE this look and you’re right, it’s sooo practical to be able to disassemble for storage and adaptability. 😉 Your sweet treats look amazing. Can’t wait to try one or both recipes.
Wishing you and yours a blessed and happy Christmas season!
xoxo
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Julie, your tray makes me want to immediately run to my dollar store and see what plates they have! Pinning!
Jeanie you crack me up! ?. Thanks for stopping over!
Quite festive looking and your food items looks Delicious.
I can’t count how many tiered trays like this I have made using nothing but Dollar Store items. I would make, totally fill them up with all homemade goodies and then give away to neighbors, friends and family. Not only do they get homemade goodies to eat but also a nice tiered Christmas item for them to use as well. I wouldn’t do this just for the holidays, but for someone’s birthday, anniversary, etc.
Depending on holiday, birthday, anniversary or whatever; Sometimes I would put a small decorative item glued down on the plate with the glued glass over top which gives a little decoration inside the glass as well.
For Thanksgiving I had used a bowl for the top piece and put in my Pumpkin Dip and bottom 2 larger tiers I placed my ‘dippers’; graham crackers, ginger snaps, etc. Anything that would work well with the pumpkin dip.
So many possibilities when it comes to making these and Oh, so fun to make and give away as well.
A few years back I found a pretty holly dinner plate and salad plate on the shelves of my favorite thirft store. Mossy green ceramic with a soft holly design around their borders. Guess what they became? Still use it and love it.
Awww!! Great minds think alike, Sylvia! Did you know our sweet cat’s name is Sylvia ♥️
OMG, thís is so so FAB, as always, you nailed it. I love this, because its so unique and gorgeous. Happy Holiday’s
Julie! You are amazing! That is the best $6.00 tiered tray I’ve ever seen. Merry Christmas, my friend!
Love your pretty tiered tray, the candy canes on top are the frosting on the cake sooo cute! The variation of colors, size, etc. are endless.
Thanks for sharing Julie
Hi Darlene! Happy December, friend! ~ Julie
You did good , Julie, love, Dad in NY
Your tray is so cute, Julie, and I love that it’s inexpensive, too!
Thank you, sweet friend ?
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Hi Julie:
I am wishing your Dad a HAPPY “84TH”.
Just love $ stores and am going to try your 3 tier plate and your recipes. Is it a special glass glue you used? Will let you know how it turns out.
Cheers, Bette
I believe I used Tacky glue!
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Are you able to completely disassemble? Does the votives come off?
Yes I didn’t bother gluing them. Just transport disassembled & assemble at the destination.