I shopped for holiday decor at Dollar Tree and Party City, and the pricier chain has better items for gatherings

I found multiple displays of artificial, holiday flowers at Dollar Tree, including poinsettias and holly.

For $1.25 a stem, the floral offerings at Dollar Tree were more affordable than ones I've purchased from stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby.

The store offered many different types of pre-inflated balloons, so it'd be a great spot to visit on the way to a holiday party.

Dollar Tree offered accessories like holiday scarves and headbands.

Although the selection wasn't large, it was affordable, which is nice for pieces that aren't necessary year-round.

Although its holiday accessories were priced a bit higher, Party City was stocked with pieces like Santa hats, elf ears, and glittery headbands.

Greeting cards at Dollar Tree are typically priced at only two for $1.

The selection of Christmas cards was great and suitable as a gift for everyone, from grandparents to coworkers.

Clean-up tasks that come with holiday entertaining are no fun.

Luckily the superstore is a great spot for decorative paper goods that seem high-end.

There was a huge selection of home decorations made of tinsel at Dollar Tree, making it a great place to buy some bling on a budget.

Party City carried an impressive array of shiny decor, like stand-up Christmas trees and wall art.

Although the pieces were pricier than the ones at Dollar Tree, the tinsel's quality seemed better and there was a bit more variety.

Just like its floral aisle, Dollar Tree's holiday-themed craft section was loaded with inexpensive options, like glitter glue and stickers.

My husband orders me a reindeer nose and antlers for my car every year, but I assumed the accessories could only be ordered online.

I was surprised to see both a glittery and non-glittery option at Party City.

I've recently become more aware of how much representation there is in Christmas merchandise.

At Dollar Tree, I found everything from mugs adorned with Black Santa to yard decor that included Black Santa and elves.

I didn't find as much diverse representation at Party City, but its impressive collection of Santa costumes allows anyone to dress up.

In addition to the basic getup, there were lots of costumes for characters like elves and gingerbread people.

Individual holiday ornaments can be pricey, which makes decorating a tree pretty expensive.

But at Dollar Tree, tons of affordable options were on display.

If you're hosting a holiday gathering and want to send guests home with thoughtful gifts, Party City has you covered.

I found an entire section filled with party favors appropriate for all ages, including craft kits and holiday-themed slime.

Whether your holiday decorating style is country chic or glittery and bold, there's bound to be something in the store's Christmas aisles that aligns with it.

The store sold ugly holiday sweaters and the perfect tools for hosting a fun event with them, like award ribbons.

Neither store seemed to have much for other winter holidays like Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. But if I'm looking for Christmas decorations, Dollar Tree is a great spot for inexpensive, last-minute essentials.

Although Party City wouldn't be my go-to for decorations, it's great for stocking up on items needed for festive events.