The Kitchen Item I Always Buy Thrifted to Prep for the Holidays
Cookies are a big part of the holiday season. Whether you’re participating in a cookie exchange or gifting cookies to neighbors or loved ones, a homemade baked good is a time-honored and thoughtful seasonal gesture.
To make a baked good gift feel more festive and special, there’s one thing I always do at thrift stores during the holiday season: I buy plates and platters to spice up the presentation factor. Then, I take the platter home and clean it well with antibacterial dish soap and water. After baking and cooling the cookies, I neatly stack them on the plate, wrap the plate in reusable stretch wrap, and tie it up with colorful baker’s twine.
I personally prefer the heavy, glass platters with “lightly” holiday themes like snowflakes, poinsettias, or trees. That way, the giftee can reuse the plate throughout the year without putting out a “Merry Christmas” platter in February. I also like to stick a little card to the dish to let the recipient know that they can reuse the stretch wrap and keep the platter — no need to return it to me!
By buying tableware from the thrift store, you’ll probably end up spending less and you’re making a more sustainable choice. Buying secondhand conserves precious resources and oftentimes the finds are more unique. Not to mention, a glass or ceramic platter or plate is much sturdier than a paper plate, so there’s no need to worry about the plate bending under the weight of Grandma’s famous sugar cookies.
Plates, platters, and even tins are easy to find at my local thrift store. I usually find them in the kitchen aisle, but my local thrift store also has a holiday decor aisle, so I diligently check that section, too. For the best selection, I like to ask my local thrift store employees which days they restock. Some thrift stores restock every day, and some only restock once a week. By shopping on restock days, I have a better chance of finding what I need. But not everyone has a quality thrift store in their area. If your local options are lacking, try checking out yard sales, antique stores, flea markets, or even church basements for holiday tableware.