Using items from the thrift store to create these picture frame place cards.
True hospitality consists of giving the best of yourself to your guests. -Eleanor Roosevelt
For some hospitality is a formal table set with attention to details. To another, it might mean sitting on the floor with a pizza and laughter. We all see it differently, but no matter what we all want to make our guests feel comfortable.
Entertaining sometimes has the reputation of complicated and stressful. It really shouldn’t be.
It’s less about fancy hors d’oeuvres and more about putting away the phone.
It’s less about a new dress and more about sitting with your guests and chatting.
And it’s less about a clean home and more about a relationship.
In our early years of entertaining, the thought was more about all the details while scurrying in the kitchen. It took a while to realize people just want to feel comfortable and visit. You can read more of stress-free entertaining here.
Now, it’s more about people. The best compliment ….. “your home just feels so cozy and comfortable“.
Details are simple, not perfect, but still festive~
PLACE CARD SUPPLIES
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- Small Picture Frames (You can find these at thrift stores for around .50 – 1.00.)
- Cardboard, if needed
- Pencil
- Chalkboard Marker
- Scissors
|FIND MORE ITEMS YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR AT THE THRIFT STORES HERE|
Recently, we found some small picture frames at a thrift store and thought they would make perfect place card settings.
Normally, we aren’t ones for name card settings but there can be a time and place for it. For example, when you have a holiday diner and two family members don’t necessarily get along really well. It might be discreet to have name cards so they can be on opposite sides of the table. Name cards also come in handy for left-handed guests to ensure they have elbow room.
PICTURE FRAME PLACE CARD DIRECTIONS
- Remove the glass pane from each frame.
- Use the glass to trace a piece of cardboard the same size if there is no cardboard lining already inside the frame.
- Cut out the cardboard.
- With a pencil, write the person’s name however you like (just search your favorite lettering style).
- Trace over it with a chalkboard marker.
- Carefully erase any pencil marks.
- You can put the frame back together with or without the glass.
Once you are done with these, you can now use them to hold actual pictures.
This Christmas season brings lots of opportunities to enjoy time with family and friends. Don’t worry so much about all the stuff to make it “perfect”. Your guests only came to see you!
MORE HOLIDAY GOODNESS
Here are some of our top holiday posts:
Thanks for stopping by today. Our goal is to help make the most with whatever you have by sharing budget-friendly, time-saving, and reusing/DIY ideas for all parts of your home and life. If you enjoyed this picture frame place card idea, we would appreciate a share on any social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Plus, don’t forget to follow us as we share even more ideas on each account.
CHECK OUT THESE POSTS
Monday – Mantels
Country Design Style | Duke Manor Farm | Domestically Speaking
Organize and Decorate Everything | Sondra Lyn at Home | Two Purple Couches
Tuesday – Holiday Recipes
An Alli Event | Not Just Paper and Paint | Nourish and Nestle
StoneGable | Sweet Pea | What Meegan Makes
Wednesday – Holiday Crafts
An Extraordinary Day | Lovely Etc | Lilacs and Longhorns
Lydi Out Loud | Salvage Sister and Mister | Weekend Craft
Thursday – Decor
Atta Girl Says | Chatfield Court | Create & Babble
Designers Sweet Spot | The Heathered Nest | Worthing Court
Friday – Holiday Tablescapes
Celebrating Everyday Life |Cottage at the Crossroads | Cottage in the Oaks
The Everyday Home | Postcards from the Ridge | 2 Bees in a Pod
Are you ready? Here we go!
Home for the Holidays 2016
Mantels
Holiday Recipes
Crafts
Holiday Decor
Tablescapes
I always use place cards for Thanksgiving and Christmas. My kids and grandkids love looking for their names. I was recently wondering what I would use as place cards for Christmas this year and now I know. Thanks so much for this great idea.
I bet kids would love looking for their name. I hope you find lots of pretty frames. Thanks so much for stopping by!! 🙂
What a great idea for a holiday table! I really like the idea of using thrift shop frames for this project. The cost to make enough even for a large family would be minimal.
Paula, I was thinking of doing these for our 25th wedding anniversary party in a few years too. I guess I better start getting them now 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!!!!
Thanks for sharing this! I haven’t used pace cards in a long time, but I may use this idea! So glad to have you on the Home for the Holidays tour this year!!
Merry Christmas!
Sondra recently posted…Home for the Holidays Blog Tour 2016
Sondra, Thanks for having me!
Deborah, Well said!!! I love that you used cardboard in the frames. So rustic and simple. Plus the look of the chalkboard pin on the cardboard is beautiful. I read that to host a great party the host has to have fun. Pinning and sharing!
Jeanette, Thank you so much! The cardboard was leftover from another project..lol.
What a great, unique and personal idea! I especially like that they are all a little different making them that much more personal. Next time I’m at Goodwill, I”m heading right to the little picture frame department!
Wishing you and yours a lovely Holiday.
Hugs, Lynn
Lynn,
I really enjoy having them all a little different. They also could be a good little gift to each person to take as well. Thanks for stopping by!
Deborah, you are so clever! What a great idea for helping your family and guests feel so loved and welcomed.
Awe, thanks Diane! You are so sweet! Thanks for stopping by!
I love place cards! They seem to add so much to the table setting and I love that these can be used for any occasion. They turned out so pretty!
Leanne,
Thanks so much! I love that they can go back to picture frames afterward! #nowaste
such a thrifty, fun, festive idea!!
Thanks so much Heather. We love a good thrift! 🙂
I love this Deborah! I need to get some frames from the thrift store. I had no idea that chalk board markers worked on anything other than chalkboards! Who knew? Merry Christmas!
Jessica recently posted…How to Design a Bathroom
Jessica, I’m so glad you like them my thrift sister! Merry Christmas!
Deborah- isn’t that the truth. our guest never even notice 1/2 the stuff that we tend to spend so much time and attention on. Love this idea. so easy, yet thoughtful. Happy holidays to you and your family.
Laura, It’s so true! We see the itty bitty details and they …not so much 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by my talented friend!
This is such a neat idea for place cards! I always seem small frames and wonder what I would use them for. I’ll have to grab a bunch the next time I see some 🙂
Emily, They really are so easy to come by but really. What I love though, is that guests can take them home or you can just use them around the house. #nowaste. Thx for stopping by!
Such a great idea and use of old frames. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks so much Denise 🙂
That’s such a neat idea Deborah and I have loads of frames from when I painted miniatures that are just waiting for a creative project like this
Michelle, You are just so supportive. Thank you