Do you think you can set a beautiful table for cheap?
I have people tell me all the time that they can’t set a “fancy” table because they just don’t have that much money to throw around. And I always tell them that it doesn’t have to be expensive and you CAN set a beautiful table for cheap. They don’t always believe me. But I was having this conversation with a colleauge one day a while back, and I decided to put it to the test!
How to spend a lunch hour
So I took a lunch hour one day, and went down to my local Goodwill store. Not only did I get enough pieces for four lovely place settings, I got several other things too! (I know – I just couldn’t help myself!) I videoed the shopping trip, just to prove I really did it! 🤣 (Please excuse my lack of video skills. Learning to make better ones is on my list.)
I don’t know about you, but I love shopping for china! And besides getting a whole table’s worth of goodies, I met a wonderful lady who has since become a Mantel and Table subscriber! Thanks Linda! Meeting and sharing all this with you is one of the things I love best about this job!
The Set a Beautiful Table for Cheap video
So click the video below, and come along with me on a condensed version of my lunch hour Set a Beautiful Table for Cheap shopping trip! (I was originally thinking I’d post this as a tutorial, so that’s why I refer to it that way at the end.)
How cheap was it?
As I say, this trip took place a year or so ago, and I did break out the cost of everything I used. Unfortunately, when I went to find the list to write this post, it was nowhere! (A year is a long time for a piece of paper apparently!) But I DO remember that it was less than $90 including the chargers – which is super cheap for setting an entire beautiful table. And you could potentially use it every night of your life!
Those gold-rimmed wine glasses I got there at the very end? They turned out to be Mikasa Antique Lace goblets that retail for about $35 each!
If you want to see more details of the beautiful table for cheap itself, here’s the post. And you can shop right there if you don’t feel like spending your lunch hour at Goodwill!
Thanks so much for joining me on my shopping trip! Let me know what you think in the comments. Happy Table Setting!
This Post Shared With
- Tablescape Thursday 04.20.23 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Thursday Favorite Things 04.20.23 – Hosted by Follow the Yellow Brick Home
- Fabulous Friday 04.21.23 b- Hosted by South House Designs
- Tuesday Turn About 04.25.23 – Hosted by My Wee Abode
- Tablescape Thursday 04.25.24 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
Well, that 3 times now that I’ve watched the video – it was still as much fun as the first time and the table is still as beautiful too. Love the glasses and mixed flatware is just so cool. Happy Thursday my friend!
Ha! wow – three times is true dedication! 🤣 So sweet of you to stop by! I hope you’re having a lovely weekend my friend!
Barbara, It was fun to see you shop and choose some things for your table. The finished table looks great. I haven’t found a Good Will store here that is well stocked with dishes, but its a big city, I’m sure there is a well stocked store somewhere – I just have to find it! We do have a different resale for charity shop that seems to get some nice things, so I like to explore there. I enjoyed your video! – Patty
Hi Patty! Thanks so much! I hope you do find a great thrift store – they’re so much fun and such an inexpensive way to have a beautiful table. Good luck with the exploration!
Loved your video and all your helpful tips too, Barbara! The pieces you found were really beautiful and I appreciate you saving them from the landfill. Thrift shopping always feels like a win-win but this one was definitely extra special. Hugs, CoCo
Thanks CoCo! Thrift shopping is one of my favorite things to buy I don’t do it as often as I’d like. Always so fun when I do! 😊
Hi, Barbara! I know I’ve been AWOL for a long while. Just trying to catch up as best I can now on my favorite blogs. This post is one that will help A LOT of people out there, especially those just beginning or whose idea of a “fancy” table means spending a ton of moolah. It simply doesn’t have to break the bank!!! I can remember as a young wife just starting out that every penny counted. I scoured garage sales and thrift stores like my life depended on it!!! While I no longer have any of those dishes or accouterments, I remember how it made me FEEL at that time to own a little something-something of value. These days, the definition of “fancy” has so many meanings that I think it’s a bit easier to do it than back when I was starting out. What a relief for so many! I still like to go full tilt when the occasion calls for it, but it’s nice to know we can relax a bit, too.
You always do such a great job of explaining things. I’m impressed that you went back to this video after an entire year! I’m not sure I’d be able to even remember I’d made it!🤣🤣🤣
Have a great week, and Happy May Day!
Hi Alycia – lovely to have you back! Hahahaha I was lucky to remember it myself! In fact, it took two or three “rememberings” before I finally posted it! 🤣 Yes, table setting has certainly changed over the years – Goodwill has always been my friend. Thanks so much for stopping by – I always love your comments!
So enjoyed your tutorial. Loved the walk through of the Goodwill and you picking and showing the how-to and your table was beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.
Janice Switzer
Hi Janice! I’m so glad you liked it – shopping is so fun, isn’t it? 😊 Hope you’re having a lovely week so far!
Barbara, the video was fantastic (I watched it twice)! What fun I had watching you shop and what amazing treasures you have found! Those Mikasa wine glasses are fabulous and what a great score. The table setting is gorgeous and thank you for sharing all this loveliness from the Goodwill. Happy Thursday my friend!
Hey Kim! Wow twice – I’m honored! I was so pleased with the Mikasas! Another example of watchfulness paying off! 🙂 Hope you have a lovely springy weekend!
Oh I just loved your video, Barbara! I too wished I was shopping with you. ♥♥♥
Hey – my thoughts of finding only 3 plates? They’re GREAT for those 3 tier “proper afternoon tea” serving trays.
PS
That is one clean and organized and nice GW! And your voice is as sweet as your notes. I do hope to meet you in person one day. You are such a sweetheart.
Have a blessed weekend!!
It IS a nice one! GW is big out here – there’s at least one in each area/suburb, and lots of these giant ones in the larger districts. Aww you’re the sweetest! I hope we get to meet someday too! If I ever get out your way, I’m definitely looking you up! 💗
So glad you liked it Michele – it sure was fun to make the video as I went along! And what a BRILLIANT idea for the three plates! That makes me want to run back to the GW and see if they’re still there! 🤣 I’ve always wanted one of those – you’ve inspired me to try making one. Thanks so much for sharing the trip!
Oh my goodness – I felt like I just wanted to be right there with you browsing through the aisles finding all those amazing pieces! Great choices! You certainly lucked out! I don’t have a great variety at our local second hand shops but I do find many great vintage and unique pieces on buy and sell groups. The table turned out just fabulous!! (Feeling a little jealous over the gold rimmed glasses) LOL Enjoyed the video very, very much!!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Carrie! I know – I was SO excited about those glasses! We’re really lucky to have tons of great resale and junk stores around here, and yes there’s so much good shopping on the internet. Trolling for goodies is one of my favorite things. If you ever make it out to Portland, I’ll drag you to all my favorite places. 😊 Till then hope you have a lovely weekend!
Lovely table and great finds. Barbara, you know how to set a beautiful table ! I wish my local Good Will looked like that. Not only do they separate sets of dishes but so much is chipped. Our store is overrun with people buying to resell. They don’t care what they break to reach what they want. My mother loved Iris and Herringbone. Someone actually took the glasses out of my cart when I wasn’t looking. Sorry to go off on a tangent, but I quit going to GW. Most of our other thrift shops closed. But, my mother use to say “You have to get while the getting is good” so I have lots of treasures from years past, including a perfect white damask cloth for my six foot table for $1.49.
Wow that’s too bad Myrna! It’s always sad when some people ruin it for everyone else. But you’re right – at least you managed to get in under the wire with your beautiful tablecloth! With any luck some new and nicer places will open back up near you. Thanks so much for stopping by – Happy Weekend!
I loved this video, and have shopped at Salvation Army and Goodwill for years. It’s amazing what you can find there!
Oh Yaay – I’m so glad you liked it! 🙂 I was a bit intimidated by the video but I’m working on it! You always find the best stuff – it IS amazing! Hope you’re doing well over there!
So much fun watching you shop and such a beautiful table.
Hi Brenda! So glad you could come along! 😊 I have so much fun finding great pieces that need a good home. Hope you have a lovely day – thanks so much for sharing it with me!
Well, that was fun! I had no idea what shopping in a Good Will store would be like! You found some beautiful things and your table is beautiful!
Thanks Jenna! Isn’t shopping great?! 😊 I once found a pair of silver candleabra in beautiful shape for only $30! If I had more time, I’d be over there every day! Hope you have a lovely Thursday my friend – thanks for stopping by!