I am so pumped to share this springtime place setting idea with you because I am all about affordable decor for homes and parties! I think everyone thinks if something isn’t expensive or at least semi-expensive, it is just going to look cheap. Not true! I will show you with this fun idea…it is all in the presentation. I think I’ve managed to find you the cheapest, most casual/classy, and colorful way to decorate for an indoor or outdoor party this spring or summer by bargain shopping and using recycled products! Secrets and how to’s revealed as you go – so keep reading!!
This whole idea began with a fun place setting idea that I’d seen Hobby Lobby presented on Instagram last summer. This doesn’t necessarily look like that…but it inspired me to bring a fun affordable place setting idea to my readers. I know we all love to entertain but it can get expensive…but not with this idea!!
As all great budget friendly adventures begin, I popped by my local Dollar Tree! I just shared a selection of great finds on this trip too on another post HERE! While I was there…my main mission was to create a colorful and casual – yet still classy – place setting using not your usual materials. And I wanted this place setting to be versatile – easily translated for indoor or outdoor use. So you will see a combination of shots as we go!
My first hope was to find something I could doctor a little to look like a fancy charger. In the back of the store by the wedding and baby shower party supplies, there was this cute decorative silver platter/plate.
It is actually not just a plastic fake silver. It definitely has some metal component to it because it isn’t super light and feels durable.
But I didn’t plan to keep it silver because that’s too fancy. My plan was to spray paint it a fun color – I chose a soft mint green.
And then distress it a tad with some fine steel wool. I love the way the decorative ridge looks!
Now the charger plate was a little smaller than I’d hoped but I was going to make it work. I ended up finding at the front of the store with the “spring” selection, this decorative wall or door hanging cardboard flower. I loved the colors, the shape, and the size!
And when I held up the charger to it – the charger fit inside it without covering too much. Plus, since I felt like the charger was smaller and wasn’t going to make as much of a statement as I’d hoped…this flower was just the background I needed! Quick tip too – layering on a table for parties is a way to really make it look decadent!
Then I found a set of adorable paper plates that matched perfectly and fit even more perfectly inside the charger.
It was all coming together!
My eyes were also drawn to some turquoise straws that had similar florals to the other finds so I snatched them too. I knew I had a plan to use a cute straw inside a clear milk glass so it worked out well.
Here is my recycled glassware – a sweet baby food jar vase and a vintage milk jar for beverages!
So far – I felt set. My last plan here was to add a little individual flower vase for each place setting. If it was warmer here, I would have just taken my lil one on an adventure with me outside to search for some lil wildflowers for the small jar! But it was not quite warm enough for those finds but these little wax flower sprigs only came to $1.07 at local grocery store. Wax flowers are real flowers – the name is tricky that way. I love them, so sweet and delicate. I like to think of them as a step up from baby’s breath.
Don’t hesitate to ask at your local grocier if can buy just a few sprigs of something instead of an entire bouquet.
And the container I used is one of my lil one’s BeachNut baby food jars – they are so cute and I always save them because I knew they’d make a cute vase. I’d keep the flowers small and sweet but not too scented if you plan to have one at each place setting like this.
The last little DIY is to make a place card for each setting. I knew once I bought the big flower I would have to do something with the holes where the hanging ribbon was. I wasn’t sure how in the store but once I starting looking at the straws more closely…duh I would use them! Each straw could be cut down into 4 pieces (so used for 2 settings). I snipped the straw at one end so I could compact it and fit through the holes like so…
And then, however you want to make a place card, make one out of a thicker paper so it will stand up firm. Slit the straw on each side so you can just slide the card right in!
That completes all the components of my super affordable place setting for spring or summer!
So let me show you how I put it together now! I will show you the look of it outside with the step by step because I kind of like how it looks on a patio table better…but it works for an inside look too!
Step by step – below you can see how easy this setting is to create!
1. Begin with the flower base
2. Add the charger
3. Add the plate
4. Add the flowers
5. Add the drink
A few other fun shots inside on a dining table for a different look…
Let’s break down the cost now of each individual setting so you can see how cheap it really is!
Large Flower – $1
Charger – $1
(just use any spray paint or regular paint you have around to cover and distress with any sandpaper or steel wool you might have laying around)
Plates – 14 at $1 so $0.07 each
Straw for glass – 15 at $1 so $0.06 each
1/2 Straw for place card – $0.03
Glass – $1 or FREE if you have some you like!
Use any glasses you have – or you could buy fun mason jars or milk glasses at Dollar Tree too
Flowers – $1.07 approximately or FREE if you can find some in your own yard
Vase – FREE because its’ a reused baby food jar! Reuse any little jars you have!
Grand total – $4.23 per place setting!
Not too shabby at all! If you had 4 guests that is $16.92 or 6 guests is $25.38! Either way, not bad for a cute customized place setting!
I really hope you enjoyed this fun affordable DIY for a spring/summer place setting! Please share via social media using these images below!
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