Holiday Thrift Store Challenge

Holiday Thrift Store Challenge: Simple Christmas Decorations

Holiday Thrift Store Challenge

We are heading right into my absolute favorite time of the year—Christmas! And what better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a fabulous blog hop between 31 talented bloggers? Well, how about if those 31 bloggers share ideas for making over thrift store finds? Sounds pretty awesome, right? Right!

So let’s dive right in! As part of this fabulous event, dubbed the Holiday Thrift Store Challenge, I’m sharing some very simple Christmas decorations that can be made from items found at your local thrift store!

I have to admit that I don’t thrift very often, but after rummaging around a local store to find items for this Challenge, I may go more often! My creative wheels were going into overdrive as I was walking up and down each aisle.

After browsing through kitchenware, dishes, clothes and random knick-knackery, here’s what I came home with:

Thrift challenge items: before

A pair of milk glass bud vases and a grey plastic tray.

The milk glass vases are engraved with a pretty starburst pattern, and I thought it’d be neat to accent it. So, I turned to my trusty gold paint pen (seriously, have I declared my love of paint pens enough on this blog?? I should write a book dedicated to the awesomeness that are paint pens!) and began filling in the lines.

I started at the bottom, debating whether or not I wanted to cover the whole vase, but after I got going, I just couldn’t stop!

Gilded Milk Glass bud vases via www.twopurplecouches.com

And voila! What do you think? I think the results are beautiful! The milk glass looked fine as it was when I bought it, but gilding in the design with a gold paint pen totally takes this little pair to the next level!

And guess what else I discovered?

Gilded Milk Glass. Turn bud vases into taper candle holders. via www.twopurplecouches.com

Yep, you can totally turn bud vases into candle holders for tapered candlesticks! You just gotta chop off the bottoms so the candlesticks will fit snugly!

These candlesticks will be a lovely, glimmering addition to my holiday table. And I’m sure I’ll find a way to work them into my “everyday” decor as well (wink, wink).

Turn milk glass vases into candlestick holders. via www.twopurplecouches.com

 

Are you feeling inspired to create Christmas decorations from thrift store finds? How about one more idea to keep the fun going?

DIY Christmas Countdown Sign via www.twopurplecouches.com

Remember that boring grey tray?

Transform a plastic tray with chalkboard paint. via www.twopurplecouches.com

Metallic spray paint, a couple coats of chalkboard paint and red satin ribbon turned this blah tray into a cute “Sleeps til Christmas” countdown sign!

Cute "Sleeps til Christmas" Chalkboard sign via www.twopurplecouches.com

I started by giving the edges a quick coat of Rust-Oleum silver metallic spray paint. Once dry, I painted two coats of chalkboard paint into bottom of the tray. And to finish things off, I found a roll of red satin ribbon in my ribbon stash. It need that bit of color, don’t you think?

I was also toying with the idea of turning this tray into an Advent calendar, but it’s not a very long tray, and I didn’t want the dates to be small and cramped together.

Create a Christmas Countdown sign from a thrifted plastic serving tray. via www.twopurplecouches.com

Want to check out even more ideas and inspiration for turning thrift store finds into beautiful Christmas decorations? Hop on over to any of these fabulous blogs, then come back here and share your favorite transformation!

Glam Christmas Throw Pillows by Thoughts from Alice
A Deerly Beloved Thrift Store Vignette by Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Christmas Cloche by Craftberry Bush
A Vintage Mantel for Winter by Finding Silver Pennies
DIY Holiday Walling Hanging by House of Hipsters
Christmas Decor from Thrifty Find by Town and Country Living
The Trellis Tree by Cozy Little House
DIY Centerpiece Tray by Cherished Bliss
Rustic Christmas Tree by Delineate Your Dwelling
DIY Crocks by So Much Better With Age

Sharing with: Outside the BoxCreative Spark

32 thoughts on “Holiday Thrift Store Challenge: Simple Christmas Decorations

  1. Alex

    WOW!!! Those vases turned candle stick holders are fantastic! Where did you get the gold paint pen? I want, I want. Looks so beautiful.

  2. Brenda Kula

    I love the scrolly look to the tray, and how you transformed it! I never would have thought of the gold pen idea. Now I’ve got that one swimming in my head for a project of my own!
    Brenda
    Brenda Kula recently posted…The Trellis TreeMy Profile

  3. Tammy

    I had never thought of adding the gold to the milk glass vases…so clever! I love this look! And my son will love the sign, going to create one with him. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Tammy

  4. Pingback: Christmas cloche | Craftberry Bush

  5. Pingback: Glam Neutral Holiday Table – Guest Post from Two Purple Couches | Karista's Kitchen

  6. Pingback: DIY 3D Christmas Star Wreath – Holiday Thrift Store Challenge

  7. Pingback: Holiday Thrift Store Challenge – Vintage Sock Stretcher Stocking - Alex Inspired

  8. Pingback: The Trellis Tree · Cozy Little House

Comments are closed.