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Sunday, April 17, 2011

How to Do Easter on the Cheap (When Easter arrives so soon after the April 18th tax deadline!)


The title of this blog is somewhat “tongue-in-cheek”, but I really did set out to create a great holiday table with just a little bit of money.
I can get totally carried away with beautiful, expensive things, but beauty can be bought cheaply, too.
I began my quest a couple of months ago looking for inexpensive purchases for my Easter tablescape. I wanted to set a table for the eight members of my family, so I had to be creative. My one not-so-cheap item is the beautiful Ralph Lauren tablecloth. However, white tablecloths can be found in any price range in those wonderful stores like TJ Maxx, Marshall’s or Tuesday Morning. I already had this one, so I did not try to find a less expensive one, just for the blog.





Now, let’s look at these great bargains! I found these egg-shaped placemats at Bed Bath and Beyond for only $1.99 apiece.



A discontinued J C Penney pink plate went on top of the placemat. These large plates were found on Replacements for $7.99 each. They work really well as chargers for most regular dinner plates, too.



Four of the Clay Art “Sunflower” plates were purchased at T J Maxx for almost nothing, but I did have to pay around $6.50 each for the other four. I bought them on Amazon.com from one of their online stores.


The robin’s egg blue napkins were found at Marshall’s. They were packaged four to a set for $4.99 and I actually found two matching sets!


I bought the cute napkin rings from Kohl’s for a sale price of $1.60 each. They were very similar to some that I had found at Dillard’s for $5.00 apiece. Quite a savings for eight of them!


I used white flatware from Walmart. It comes as a 20 piece set for $14.97. I bought two sets and used everything, except for the soup spoons. That means I got 40 pieces for $30.00 - less than a dollar each. What a deal!


The musical Rabbit was a previous Cracker Barrel find, but was not expensive, even then. He plays, “Here Come Peter Cottontail”. Of course!


He is placed on a glass pedestal cake plate. This is one of three that I found at TJ Maxx. They are different sizes and can be stacked in a tier. This is the middle size one of the three. I cannot remember exactly what I paid for them, but I think the largest one was $7.99. This one was probably around $6.00.



Egg shaped place card holders and the little bunny dish were bought at Michael’s. I cannot find the ticket for them, but they were quite inexpensive.


Mr. and Mrs. Bunny salt and pepper shakers have been around my house for years. They were not just inexpensive, they were cheap! However, our family still enjoys seeing them every Easter.


I have had the Schott-Zwiesel water goblets (they can, also, be used for red wine) for many years. However, they do fit into the theme of the table, because I purchased them at an outlet store, when I did buy them!


The cut glass ice bucket was the least expensive of all – a gift from my mother-in-law!

My favorite recent purchases are the Kaldun & Bogle egg cup/votive holders and pitcher. I found them on sale at One Kings Lane. The pitcher was only $19.00.






The egg cups were two for $7.99. I think they look much more expensive than $4.00 apiece!




The glittery eggs inside were a Pier I buy – 12 for $9.95.

I think I did pretty well in creating an inexpensive table for eight guests – with all of the money that I saved, maybe, I can afford to feed everyone!!

Now, let the Bunny Parade begin…




-Diane



http://www.thegypsyscorner.com/
http://www.atthepicketfence.com
http://www.504main.com
http://itsablogparty.com
http://iloveprettylittlethings.blogspot.com/





20 comments:

  1. I love your sweet pastel Easter table! The bunnies are so sweet and those pink and white dishes are so pretty! Thanks for sharing at FNF! :)

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  2. Beautiful!! What a fun table. Happy Easter!

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  3. Oh and don't forget to enter it into the MyKirkland's spring tablescape contest! Here's the link. http://www.mykirklands.com/#/ccapr11/

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  4. This is so much fun! You have an eye for putting things together and doing it flair! I want the pink plates - maybe I'll go take a look.
    Happy pink Saturday!

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  5. The colors in your tablescape are beautiful! I love the placemats and the pink plates. Thanks for joining my Open House party.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  6. I think you did very well too. I did not see that pitcher and egg cups on One Kings Lane. Those place mats are great. Thanks for linking up. laurie

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  7. This is very pretty! I love all of the colors and the bunnies. Thanks for lining this up!
    Sherry

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  8. How sweet these springtime colors look in your tablescape! The egg-shaped placemats and all the adorable bunnies are just too cute. ;)

    Thanks for linking to the party. I would love to have you join me each week.

    Blessings,
    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  9. wow, they are too cool... i cant imagine your table without these pretty plates and decor now!! too cute looking

    x0x0x0
    Dubai Tours and Excursions

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  10. I love everything here! It all looks like Fitz & Floyd and Lenox! I love the pink plates, what a great Easter color! The flatware from Walmart is a great find too! I love that flowered pitcher from One King's Lane...they do offer some lovely items don't they! Happy Easter....Liz

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  11. Love your table, everyting looks so pretty! It is always fun after the winter to bring out the light and pastel decor to decorate. Please stop by and come see how I put my table together! XO, Pinky

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  12. I would LOVE to come to Easter brunch at your house. Great finds and of so pretty!

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  13. lovely Diane....you always do such a beautiful job with the table...

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  14. What a beautiful Easter table. The placemats were perfect and love those pink plates. Too bad they are discontinued.

    Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  15. What a precious table!! Beautiful job!! I know your family will enjoy Easter dinner at such a festive table!

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  16. Hi,
    Great job of putting it all together. That is the fun part.
    Graciously,
    monah

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  17. You did a great job of putting this all together! :) Love it!

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  18. What a beautiful table...it almost seems a shame to eat of it all...it looks too good. Love the cracker barrel too.
    Happy Easter & HPS
    Michelle
    xox

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  19. Your table certainly looks anything but cheap! It is beautiful! The white sunflower plates look great on the pink chargers. I love your egg cups, too; you're right, they look much more expensive than what you paid. Great buy! I also love your napkin rings; they really tie in nicely with the colors in the table. Just beautiful!
    Tammy

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  20. BRAVO! You hit it out of the park again. So CUTE! So SPRING!
    I went more formal this year on Easter used my Fitz and Floyd place settings, A tablecloth and napkins that can be used all spring and summer, wine glasses I received as a wedding present. I did a DIY napkin holder, vine wreath with moss nest and 3 colored mini-eggs.

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