Photos: Have a very merry Dollar Tree Christmas dinner!

J. Wohletz

It's that time again -- time for the last-minute panic as you plan a celebratory sideboard of snacks worthy of this most festive holiday. After our Dollar Tree Thanksgiving's proper sit-down meal, we decided to create a buffet-style Christmas smorgasbord of the finest treats the DT has to offer -- and it looks like the stores have really upped their game since November, because they're offering some seriously chic noshes for purchase. And since the Dollar Tree accepts SNAP, no cash is no object: Everyone deserves a holiday din to remember.

Please enjoy our Yuletide buffet suggestions, and with all the ched you save, feel free to augment the festivities with a bottle -- or a case -- of holiday spirits.

J. Wohletz

Get this party started with tubs of pasteurized processed cheese food product, slabs of pepperoni and crackers -- all classier than the usual DT fare, since nothing here is splurted out of a can.

J. Wohletz

Stuffing mushrooms yourself is tedious. These nuggets are mushroom-shaped, filled with cream cheese, and reason to finally fire up the Fry Baby you got ten Christmases ago.

J. Wohletz

These tasty balls o' meat are appropriate for all ages, all types and probably even vegetarians, because the actual meat ratio in DT meat-a-balls is about as low as the cost of a bag.

J. Wohletz

This is where the fanciness comes in for our buffet: A few bags of these head-on, not-deveined shrimps sautéed in a little margarine and garlic salt will impress your guests as much as the prep time will irritate you.

J. Wohletz

Scallops? Why, yes. The Dollar Tree has a fine array of seafood this season, and although they look quite miniscule and slightly freezer-burned, no one will notice after you toss them in with the shrimp and serve the seafood on a bed of Rice-a-Roni.