A Merry Thriftmas Challenge: Re-purposed Holiday Tablescape
If you’ve been reading along for very long you know that I’m all about getting the “look for less” when it comes to furniture and home décor, and that’s especially true around the holidays when money is tighter than usual. Holiday decor can be pricey, and extra money for decorating is hard to come by this time of the year. I was so excited when the lovely and talented Alice, from Thoughts from Alice, invited me to join this amazing group of bloggers as part of this fun blog-hop, sharing ideas about how to use thrifted items to decorate your home inexpensively for the holidays. The goal was to re-use or create a holiday vignette or project for under $25.00 using thrift store items – you better believe I’m on board for this challenge!
I popped into my favorite thrift store last weekend during a half-off sale and was able to purchase items to create a fun, festive holiday tablescape for less than $25.00 (total price, including previously purchased items). I wasn’t sure exactly what I was looking for so I tried to keep an open mind while I wandered up and down the aisles, scouring the shelves. Luckily, it didn’t take long for inspiration to strike.
As soon as I spotted these fun cone shaped vases I immediately thought “Christmas trees”. Turned upside-down, they are the perfect “tree” shape. I believe they were originally the glass votive parts of wall sconces, but the rest of the pieces were missing. Now, what to do with them? At first I thought I would paint them all to resemble these mercury glass trees that I’ve seen in the department stores recently (for around $25.00 each), but then I thought about all of the fun things I could fill them with, and I decided to do a combination of both paint and fillers.
Thrift stores usually have an abundance of glass vases, and this particular store was no exception. I began snatching up any vase that even remotely resembled a Christmas tree (when turned upside-down), and soon I had enough to make a tablescape. I then began searching for items to fill the vases. I found a couple of bags of ornaments and a string of shiny, beaded garland, but nothing else that fit with the gold and silver color scheme of the items I had already found.
Back at home, I pulled out some of my Christmas bins and rummaged through, looking for more things to put in my vases. I happened upon my bottle brush trees from last year’s holiday tablescape, and some faux snow that hadn’t been opened. A can of Rustoleum Mirror Effects spray paint and some previously thrifted dessert plates completed my supply list.
I used this tutorial for painting one of the vases to get the mercury glass look I was after. This paint can be pricey, but I had purchased mine previously while it was on sale (to use on another project).
While the paint was drying, I decided what items to put in each vase, then filled them all up and placed them on top of the plates.
Then I played around with the placement of each piece until I was happy with the arrangement.
I had so much fun with this project, and I just love the finished result. The sky is the limit with a project like this; there are so many different things you could use as filler. My kids suggested I fill the vases with holiday candies; peppermints, marshmallows, candy canes, etc; which I think is a great idea! You could also use the same item in all of the vases; all ornaments, all trees, all snow… or paint them all to look like mercury glass and light them with battery-operated candles. You could also use glue to secure the vases to the plates, and give them as unique, inexpensive gifts. Like I said, the possibilities are endless!
I hope this has encouraged you to look at decorating with thrift store items in a new light. Yes, sometimes it can be a challenge to find what you’re looking for, but other times it can be a blessing; forcing you to think outside the box and stretch your imagination. You’ll never find this arrangement in a department store, or even a specialty store for that matter, because it’s an original creation; made by me.
Are you ready to look at more original creations made using thrifted items? Me too! Stop by and see what these talented bloggers have been working on!
Sharing Here:
Monday
Cedar Hill Farmhouse , Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm , Brepurposed, Burlap and Babies, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia , Cozy Little House, Setting For Four, Happy House and Home, Love Grows Wild, Beyond The Picket Fence, The Simple Life Of A Firewife, A Night Owl, A Pinch Of Joy, Keeping It Simple, Huckleberry Love
Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life, Just A Girl And Her Blog, Home Stories A to Z, Tiny Sidekick, Tip Junkie,The Sits Girls, House On The Way, Hope Studios,
Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style , The Turquoise Home , The Real Housewives of Riverton, Someday Crafts, Crafty Allie, Cherished Bliss, Snap Creativity, The Blissful Bee, Family Home and Life, The Thrifty Home, Made In A Day, Seven Alive, Live Laugh Rowe
Thursday
Liz Marie Blog, City Farmhouse , Sweet Haute, Chic California, The Pin Junkie , A Delightsome Life , Craftberry Bush, Joy In Our Home, Glitter Glue and Paint, A Glimpse Inside, Too Much Time On My Hands, Posed Perfection, The Pin Junkie, From My Front Porch To Yours, Table + Hearth
Friday
The Shabby Nest, My Romantic Home , French Country Cottage , The Girl Creative, The 36th Avenue, Lolly Jane, I’m Not A Trophy Wife , The Charm of Home, I Heart Naptime, The Cottage Market
Saturday
Six Sisters Stuff, Be Different Act Normal , Reasons To Skip The Housework, Funky Junk, It’s Overflowing, A Little Clairification, The Girl Creative, Reasons To Skip The Housework
Sunday
Thoughts From Alice, View From The Fridge, Under The Table, Delineate Your Dwelling, The DIY Showoff
What a great idea!
I have been saving one of my old partylite pieces of glass (because the base shattered) and have been wondering what to do with it. It will make the perfect little tree. Thank you for the inspiration!
I’m so glad you have found a use for your glass – it’s always nice to re-purpose items that otherwise would be thrown away. Thank you so much for visiting!
I just love this sooo much! You are so creative and talented! Thank you so much for taking the challenge with me

Alice W. recently posted…Glam Christmas Throw Pillows {Holiday Thrift Store Challenge}
Thank you Alice – it has been so much fun! Thank you for inviting me – and for coordinating everything.
This is great! What a fun and simple idea. I love all the different shapes and sizes!
Kyla @HouseofHipsters.com recently posted…Holiday Thrift Store Challenge Blog Hop
Thanks Kyla! It was so much fun to make! So glad you stopped by!
As I always say, anyone can walk into a store and buy ready-made decor. But that’s no fun!!! I love all the wonderful ideas, and yours is no exception. It’s so great to see ordinary objects turned into festive displays. I also love the scene behind your table!
Brenda
Brenda Kula recently posted…The Trellis Tree
Thank you, Brenda! I agree – handmade things have so much more “personality”. So glad you stopped by!
I do love a tree in a cloche. Great idea to use these as centerpieces!
Thank you, they were fun to make and even more fun to display!
love the silver and gold accents you used! your table looks like a winter wonderland!
Thanks so much Cassie! I can hardly wait to start decorating the rest of the house…
I love these! How pretty on the table!
Suzanne recently posted…Color Inspiration Notebook for Creating Gorgeous Painted Furniture Giveaway!
Thank you, Suzanne, it was so much fun to put together!
I love all the different shapes of the glass.
Thanks, Niki – I was amazed (and happy) to find so many options at the thrift store.
I love that you even thought to turn the vases upside down, not sure I would’ve
The whole tablescape is beautiful! Great project!
Summer recently posted…DIY Embroidery Hoop Wall Hanging: Holiday Thrift Store Challenge
Thank you, Summer! It was so much fun to put together!
I love this! The cone shaped vases with the real points are AMAZING! I assume they just float in a larger vessel, but inverted with something underneath is even BETTER! And you chalkboard in the background is the best! xxCharlotte
Charlotte @ Ciburbanity recently posted…A Deer Thrift Store Makeover
Thank you, Charlotte – it was fun to flex my creative muscles and think of new ways to use thrift store items – and even more fun to work with such a talented group of ladies! So nice to “meet” you!
Wow, what beautiful ideas for Christmas. You did a fabulous job re-purposing. The silver vase looks amazing!
If you haven’t already popped by to join in with this weekend’s Say G’Day linky party please do join us and share your beautiful post!
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
Natasha in Oz recently posted…Say G’Day Linky Party {114} ~ THE Blog Hop for Bloggers From All Around the Globe!
Thanks so much, Natasha! I’ll be heading over in a bit to link up
Wow, you did a wonderful job…..love it!
Christine recently posted…Christmas Holiday Decorating Review
Wow! What a nice, festive way to decorate for Christmas! I bet the kids would love to see some candy in those;0) Not sure if the candy would last long at my house!
It wouldn’t last long at my house, either.
Thank you so much for visiting – I’m glad you enjoyed my project!
Hola! Visiting from The Shabby Nest Frugal Friday. I love how your put your Christmas tablescape together. I’m a sucker for glass, silver and gold, and you put them all together beautifully. Thanks for the great ideas.
Jan recently posted…Curtains for my French Campaign Style Canopy Bed
I’m glad you liked them, Jan! It was a fun challenge and made me look at thrift store items in a new way. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Wow! How beautiful!!! Thanks for linking up at the Motivational Monday link party last week! Hope you’ll join us again this week!
Danielle
SewMuchCrafting.com
Danielle recently posted…Motivational Monday {{11.30.14}}
Your tablescape is so lovely!! And I love how you filled each vase and sconce with different items and accents!
Emily @ Two Purple Couches recently posted…Cinnamon Stick Gift Toppers
Thank you so much! It was a fun project to work on, and now my family can enjoy these little “trees” through the holiday season. So glad you stopped by!
Your table is amazing! And for 25$!!! Fantastic and I’m so glad you shared at Twirl and Take a Bow! ox
Robin recently posted…Vintage Spoon Ornaments!