5 Ways to Have Fun with Vintage Dishes in Your Backyard

I’m not a fan of paper plates, and I’m completely opposed to plastic. They are a waste financially and environmentally, so I use real plates, glassware and cutlery in my backyard all summer long. The problem of course, is that I don’t want to use my good dishes out on our concrete deck. I think I would weep if one of my $30 dollar dinner plates was smashed into a thousand pieces. The same is true of the glassware we received as wedding gifts. So what to do? I like to pop some tags mama and get in touch with my vintage side.

I love picking up dishes at antique stores and thrift shops for my backyard. It’s an affordable way to entertain, everything I buy is 100% reusable, when I’m tired of it I can give it back and get something new and most important of all, if somethings breaks I won’t be crying over it.

5 Ways to Have Fun with Vintage Dishes in Your Backyard

Mason Jars are all the rage right now but unless you seriously plan on canning with them someday why go buy a new set and toss aside the lids? I found the perfect size Mason Jars at Value Village for .69 cents a jar. I use mine to serve up cold summer drinks but Mason Jars make great flower vases, candle holders and even dessert holders.

Mismatched is fun! A lot of the hippest restaurants are embracing this trend as a way to keep costs down and be kinder to the environment. It’s a trend you can pull off in your own backyard. You can co-ordinate by matching colours or patterns. Throw in some plain white or cream to bring it all together and et voilà, you’re next barbecue is a hipster affair.

Look for your mama’s kitchenware. Remember your mother’s Pyrex dishes? The Cornflower Blue serving dishes? That stuff is virtually indestructible and perfect for outdoors. It’ll take the heat of a barbecue grill if need be, it cleans easy and you guessed it, it’s “vintage”. Aren’t you cool?

Scavenge for the pretty I sometimes can’t get over the things people give away making the old adage “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure” very true. I fell in love with this beautiful blue serving dish at our local Value Village and hesitated to get it. When I went back the next day to get it it was gone! I’ve learned a very valuable lesson from this. Don’t hesitate when you see a bargain!

Be Patient. You’ll find it. Sometimes nothing appeals to me. Other times, I’m having flashes of brilliance all over the place. It’s important to remember that dishes are coming in every day so check back frequently to find your treasure.

Thank You to Value Village for sponsoring this post and allowing me to share fun ways to entertain in your backyard this summer! Happy Bargain Hunting!