Decorate for an Easter brunch on the cheap by shopping at your local thrift and secondhand stores, many of which are supplied by generous donations to ClothingDonations.org. For inspiration, check out the holiday table Redhead Can Decorate blogger Julie Fiato was able to stage with a few fortunate thrift-store finds such as rose china, champagne flutes and pink plastic eggs. Donation pickups keep thrifts supplied with new items constantly, and when you buy and repurpose lightly used goods, the proceeds help fund veterans’ programs nationwide.
Tag: thrift
Crafting for a Festive Easter Feast
Easter is an important part of the Christian faith, and the holiday includes traditions that go beyond the church services. Whether you are religious or not, chances are that you and your family will take part in a big feast to mark the end of Lent, buy candy for the kids, color eggs and maybe get a springtime visit from the Easter Bunny.
Since you’ve already started your spring cleaning (right?), your home is clean and tidy. You’re ready to host brunch guests for a shrimp cocktail, spiral ham, leg of lamb or whatever it is you like to serve on the holiday. All you need is a few seasonal touches to make your home more inviting, while keeping the kids busy during their spring breaks.
The web is full of craft projects that can lend your Easter feast that special something, including new ideas for coloring Easter eggs ahead of the hunt, dressing up the dinner table and more. And you can have fun adding that festive flair to your home, while not spending a lot of money.
Start at the local thrift. Stores supplied by generous donations to ClothingDonations.org nationwide are a great source for inspiration and materials, and whatever you spend on others’ donated merchandise helps fund veterans’ programs.
The Adirondack Girl @Heart blog recently made personalized Easter-basket mugs using only a thrift-store find, a paint marker, candy and a bit of confetti. Such a project makes inexpensive, one-of-a-kind gifts for coworkers and other adult friends.
You can also pick up a few dozen of those ubiquitous, multicolored plastic eggs at the thrift or discount store, and use them to celebrate the spring season. Equipped with a hot glue gun, potting soil and a few spring blossoms, you can make a colorful, living accent for your Easter table, Made With Happy says.
Kids can help make Easter-themed paper chains and egg boxes out of card stock using only scissors and tape, Martha Stewart suggests. And speaking of Easter eggs, there are literally dozens of ways to decorate them beyond the tried-and-true, vinegar-and-food-coloring strategy. Add flair with glitter, foil and lettering, Country Living says.
More ideas? Use pastel-color socks as the foundation for a whimsical sock bunny that’s fun and easy to make with the kids. Get the kids to help you cut out carrot gift boxes for their friends. Or make Easter baskets out of the cookie tins you find at the thrift by adding linen, ribbon, Easter grass and candy.
Dyeing Easter eggs is a great start, but there are dozens of easy, inexpensive ways to dress up your home for the holiday. Let your creativity run wild this Easter, and you can make memories that last for years—and maybe forge a few new traditions!
Thrifty, Belated Valentine’s Day Ideas
Still shopping for a (late) Valentine’s Day gift? There are lots of ways to save without looking cheap. If you’re buying flowers, the local supermarket often has blooms that are as good as any you can have delivered at a much cheaper price. Want to slash costs on dinner while keeping the romance alive? Stage a picnic in front of the fireplace. And if you need to buy jewelry, don’t worry about the size of the rock; set a budget and pick something beautiful.