15 Dollar Tree Finds for Throwing One Last Epic Summer Party

Summer has reached its peak, but it's not too late to throw together a fun social gathering on a budget before the scent of pumpkin spice starts wafting in on a breeze.

Whether it's a cookout, luau, or pool party, there are a lot of fun and inexpensive options that can be made almost entirely from Dollar Tree supplies, so you can dazzle your guests and have a great time while you eliminate some money stress that could come with buying supplies from bulk stores.

See what items you can get from Dollar Tree to throw a summer bash that will have all the neighbors knocking to join.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $1.25

It is a well-known yet inexplicable fact that drinks taste better in a fancy glass, and topping them off with an umbrella instantly makes every drink more fun.

Turn a juice into a mocktail by simply popping an umbrella in it! This 12-count pack from Dollar Tree is a bargain because you can get smaller batches for about the same price paid for bulk on Amazon ($7 for 50 umbrellas), but you won't have to worry about storing all the leftover umbrellas later.

Price: $1.25

Did you know that the stereotypical red and white checkered picnic cloth pattern has a name? It's called "gingham," and it's become synonymous with picnics. Grabbing a picnic blanket from Amazon costs just shy of $15, so tossing a plastic tablecloth on the ground or over the table for your BBQ bash can save you money while still giving instant picnic vibes.

Price: $1.25

It's not a barbecue without BBQ sauce! You can shave some money off your grilling groceries by grabbing that sauce from Dollar Tree. Traditional groceries like Kroger charge just shy of $2 for the exact same size Kraft Hickory Smoke BBQ Sauce.

Price: $1.25

Everybody thinks about the party, but real champions prepare for the after-party cleanup! After giving your grill a workout, you'll want to have a grill scrubber on hand. Fancy grill scrubbers from Amazon range from about $10 to $80. The same style Dollar Tree offers for just over a buck is $12.99 from that jungle river giant.

Price: $1.25

Turn any outdoor gathering into a luau by adding some leis. DT has a 6-count pack for a little over a dollar, while grabbing a 24-pack from Amazon costs $12.99. Even if you needed 24 of these, you'd still pay $7.50 at Dollar Tree, making its price unbeatable when it comes to getting ready for a Hawaiian-inspired party in your backyard.

Price: $1.25

Every drink tastes better from a fancy glass, but you don't want to whip out the glassware for a party near the pool. Grab some plastic goblets for the perfect medium between reusable and disposable. They also have matching margarita glasses for summer cocktails and mocktails. Grabbing identical goblets from Amazon costs more than $4 per goblet.

Price: $1.25

Light up the night with these fun and colorful paper lanterns fitted with an LED light to remove the fire safety hazard of candles. Hang them around a pool or deck, or even to light walkways and paths that become treacherous in the dark.

A set of three similarly sized lanterns with a hibiscus pattern from Amazon costs over $20, so you can pack a lot more color pop by grabbing these from Dollar Tree instead.

Price: $1.25

Feed your guests and not the insect population! Food is the cornerstone of any social gathering, and some cute pop-up tents can keep snacks and other treats accessible while also offering protection from pests. The same 17-inch size from Amazon is $16.79 for a six-pack, while you can grab six from Dollar Tree for just $7.50.

Price: $1.25

Having paper plates that match your party theme isn't required, but it does instantly pull the theme together and gives the impression of planning. This 15-count pack of plates from Dollar Tree runs a few cents less per plate than a larger pack from Amazon's Basics collection, and they're frankly cuter, so it's a great deal.

Price: $1.25

You'll get 25 beautiful napkins that can be used for serving food and also as a decorative item to splash some color around the tables. Fun and colorful napkins are a nice finishing touch for any outdoor party.

Plus, there's even a secret craft-hack that makes use of the ones that don't get used by guests: decoupage! The top-ply with the printed pattern can be separated and applied to candle holders, boxes, tins, coasters, and many other items to create a physical reminder of that super fun party you just had.

Price: $1.25

A 72-by-42-inch mural instantly makes any party space cooler, and you can skip all the time and mess required to paint one with a quick and easy removable polyester mural from Dollar Tree.

It makes adding a palm tree background or a flock of flamingos in the sand quick, easy, and gives your gathering a temporary flair in minutes, which gives your guests an excuse to take a selfie.

Price: $1.25

Add some extra summery decor with fun and colorful dangling signs featuring summer gnomes, campers, and signs pointing towards things like the beach. Your guests will never guess these came from Dollar Tree, and they'll appreciate the light-hearted ambiance they add to your space.

Price: $1.25

Whipping out the guest seating often means uncomfortable folding chairs or those mismatched seats normally kept in the closet. Dress them up with some summer-themed padding that will keep your guests comfortable. Similarly patterned chair cushions from Amazon start around $16 per cushion.

Price: $1.25

Turn your summer party space into a jungle with foil balloons in the shape of flowers and leaves for three-dimensional fun! Skip the helium and hang them with tape for a more environmentally friendly alternative. Similar balloons from Amazon cost over $15 for a set of three.

Price: $1.25

Crafts are a great way to break the ice when hosting a gathering that will bring together strangers. A simple activity like coloring summer decor can provide a low-pressure focus that offers plenty of conversation starters and gives natural introverts a way to participate without having to pretend to be outgoing.

It's also a great way to trick your guests into decorating for you if you've run out of time to do it yourself.

Dollar Tree makes it easy to throw a last-minute summer party together on a tight budget. In addition to creating a theme, they also offer a variety of snacks and soft drinks that can help you save money on groceries for stocking up for your guests.