Don’t be thrown off by the name. The Christmas Tree Shop is not just for Holiday shopping. I’m the Queen of the Value Shoppers. I need to buy stuff that is not only priced ridiculously low, but also items that are functional, pretty, or just plain fun. And I’m not afraid to wade through a fair amount of junk to find them.

For those of you who love name brands, rejoice! You can find wonderful deals on Calphalon (Bakeware set, $22), Martha Stewart (gingerbread cookie boxes, $4), Cuisinart (cookie sheet, $10), Laura Ashley (ironing board cover, $10), and Emeril (Vodka Pasta Sauce, $3).

The trick is, you can’t find everything all the time. Shopping here is a constant game of “what fell off the truck today?”

You can usually buy pretty good inexpensive lamps, $.89 spices, and my personal favorite, a bag of 50 votive candles for $1.89. Quick, Henry, my smelling salts!

Of course, this time of year, Halloween goods are in abundance. I got a glitzy harvest wreath ($4) and three amber leaf adorned votive holders ($1 for the pack, to hold the candles in the bag). I am also stocking up for Christmas with100 mini lights for the tree ($2.49),a half dozen clip-on red cardinals ($4), and a cute hand blown Teddy Bear Ornament that would be a small fortune at Bloomies ($2.50).

Who could resist the plain white cereal bowls for $.89? Or the nonstick frying pan for $4.69? L’Oreal and Revlon cosmetics for under $3? Elegant it is not, but the place is addictive. But don’t take my word for it. Go to www.christmastreeshops.com, find a store near you, and don’t tell anyone what you paid for the stocking stuffers and first night Hanukah gifts.