Ongoing linky parties: Motivation Monday and Fabulously Frugal Thursdays.
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Over the past few years, I’ve been collecting silver platters, glass pitchers, cloth napkins, and dishes of various sizes to create a basic entertaining kit and save money on party supplies. As much as we can, we use these items in everyday life for eating. I like to use the silver platters to add layers to my decorative displays. While I have room in my basement for storage, I try to incorporate as much as I can into our living space as decorations.
My List
- real silverware
- 4 to 5 platters
- 3 to 4 bowls of various sizes
- one set of lunch/dinner dishes
- one set of dessert dishes
- cloth napkins
- cups for drinking
- cups/mugs for coffee
- punch bowl with cups and ladle
- 2 gravy boats with ladles
- small divided serving dishes for appetizers
- serving utensils
- 2 cupcake stands
- 2 cake stands
- 1 hot plate
- 2 pitchers
- ice bucket and tongs
- silverware holder
Collecting my Entertaining Supplies
The majority of my party supplies have come from thrift shopping with extra silverware passed on to me by my mom. While I strive to use real china, cloth napkins, and silverware, I have 2 sets of plastic cups from Ikea. Occasionally I will buy special paper napkins to use instead of pulling out the cloth ones. When I have leftover special paper napkins like First Communion ones, I use them in the kids’ lunches and snacks for school.
This summer, I collected my party supplies from 3 different spots in the basement. When it was time to get them out, I never could find my favorite glass pitcher (it was hiding under fabric in a bin) or the silverware (someone kept moving it!). I cleaned the non-party items off the 2 sets of shelving in the picture (don’t tell my husband I moved his tools!), and moved all the party items to these shelves near my laundry area. Now I’m not stressed out trying to find the water pitcher or the silverware.
I have 2 plastic boxes of silverware. Most of the silverware was given to me by my mom who had purchased it for a bridal shower. She also gifted me with a number of dessert forks. Every time I go into Bed, Bath and Beyond, I check the clearance section for more silverware. I found a set of more than 20 china plates at a thrift shop and paid $.10 each for them. The plates are on the small size – 8 inches. I prefer that size for real china since it’s less cumbersome than the bigger plates.
Because we use real china and silverware, I needed to make it easy on my guests when it came to disposing of their dirty dishes. When we have a party, I clean off the counter area next to our sink and set up these 3 white bins labeled with a Sharpie on the counter. Next to them is a green basket for the cloth napkins. My cloth napkin collection is a combination of napkins I’ve found in the clearance section at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, plus thrifted linen napkins. I prefer white since it goes with everything. I haven’t had much of an issue with stain removal.
I use the basket on top of the white bins for slices of bread and rolls. I like to lay a white cloth napkin or dish towel in the bottom before putting the bread in. Next to this basket is a nifty silverware holder that my mother-in-law gave us 2 years ago. Before the holder, I fussed around with mason jars and little baskets, but nothing really worked.
On the other set of shelves, I have a stack of serving platters and bowls. I keep small serving plates, bowls and candle holders in the cardboard boxes. In the plastic bin are cake plates and pans in plastic bags. I use the bags to cut down on the dust. Behind the thermos is a carafe for coffee. On top of the shelves are 2 cupcake serving tiers. I also have a tier for plates which I often use for small desserts.
Thrifty Thursday Rewind
Each week, I co-host Thrifty Thursday Rewind with A Momma and the Boys Living on a Budget! Posts linked here or at A Momma and the Boys will show up on both blogs. I will visit the posts each week and share them on Facebook or Twitter.
- Link up an old money saving idea post (we want to give love to some of your older posts).
- No giveaways or deals posts.
- Recipes are allowed, but share how it is thrifty!
- A link back is nice, but not required.
- Visit the other links and share a comment.
Because I love meeting new people and sharing, this post is linked to:
Taking a Time Out Thursday, DIY Thrifty Thursday, Thrifty Thursday, Home and Garden Thursday, The Mommy Club, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Frugal Friday
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Great ideas! I love the link-up idea, but I don’t see the link-up? I will be back this afternoon to link a post or two
Anne @ Authentic Simplicity recently posted..Healthy 2Day Wednesday {Week 73}
The link up is working now. Always something.
This week I shared a post on how we save money on shipping supplies by repurposing junk mail! Thanks for hosting
annie @ montanasolarcreations recently posted..Women in Hunting Series Part 3: Interview with Krista H.
What great tips for saving money! I read a neat idea somewhere recently where they suggested buying up unique mugs from thrift stores and saving them for parties to use in place of paper cups. They’re fun talking points and save money and the environment!
Leah @ Crunchy Farm Baby recently posted..Product Review: Earth Yoga Clothing
We need to try that tip. I find that people at our parties feel more comfortable using a mug for coffee and tea rather than one of my thrifted tea cups. I guess they’re worried about breaking the cup? Or maybe it just isn’t big enough?
I just posted about my Thrift Store run this week. I included tips for shopping too
melinda recently posted..Tips for Thrift Store Shopping
Woohoo! I need to do more thrift store shopping. There’s a church thrift store near me, open Friday mornings. A friend of mine has found some great stuff there.
love your ideas looks great come see what I shared at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing your wonderful money-saving party tips with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
Kathy recently posted..A Return to Loveliness
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