How to Create Spring Party Decorations with Thrift Finds + Plan a Beautiful Dinner Party

Party decorations are one of my favorite things to thrift or DIY. I love adding a personal, creative touch to any event — and I love the challenge of doing it more sustainably by shopping secondhand instead of buying new. For this spring dinner party, I put my thrifting skills to good use, investing in glassware, candle holders, and other finds that not only looked better than store-bought but can also be reused for years to come.

After a tough winter (and having to cancel our beloved annual Christmas Eve party thanks to a very un-festive case of the flu that hit our entire family), I knew I still wanted to find a way to gather with the people I love. So we decided to make up for lost time with a beautiful spring dinner party instead.

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A Whimsical Spring Gathering on a Budget

Honestly, I never need much of an excuse to dress up, decorate, and turn my home into something a little bit magical. And if I can do it on a budget and be a little more eco-friendly? Even better. My intention with this post is to encourage you to get creative and keep it simple when it comes to hosting, and to show you that you don’t need to spend a lot for elegant dinner party decorations.

Plus I’ll give some of my favorite tips for hosting! I Know for me, planning and hosting my first 20 person plus dinner party where I was doing all the cooking was a big challenge, now after doing it a few times over the years, I’ve learned a few simple tricks to get organized and ensure that you will be able to relax and enjoy the party too instead of being stressed out and in the kitchen the whole time!

This spring gathering turned out to be one of my favorite parties we’ve ever hosted — and I’m excited to share how you can create the same beautiful, whimsical atmosphere without overspending on party decorations.

Why I Love Thrifting for Party Decorations

I’m a big believer that you don’t have to spend a lot to create something special. I thrifted almost every piece of decor for this dinner party: the candle holders, candles, glassware, and vases. Each item was unique, adding so much character to the table.

For the florals, I kept it simple and inexpensive. A couple of bunches of eucalyptus and baby’s breath from Trader Joe’s cost me just a few dollars. Greenery like this makes beautiful, fresh table decor — and when the party’s over, you can either compost it or reuse it.

For the tablecloths, I actually used curtains I already had (also thrifted) — no one could tell, and they added the perfect soft texture to the setup. The simple cream cloth napkins were a buy from last year, and they ended up working beautifully with everything else.

In With the New

We also took this as a chance to finally upgrade our dishware. With a kitchen renovation on the horizon and our old plates looking a little too “well-loved,” it felt like the right time. I found these gorgeous scalloped-edge plates at TJ Maxx, and I’m completely obsessed. You can find a similar set here.

I’m not usually one to jump on trends, but I have to admit — I think scalloped everything is adorable. Scalloped pillows, scalloped rugs, scalloped trim, scalloped potatoes… wait, I got distracted. But yes, give me all the scalloped edges.

Pro tip:

• Hang eucalyptus bundles in your shower after your party for a relaxing, spa-like experience to unwind.
• Dry your baby’s breath and use it in your everyday home decor. It lasts for months and adds a soft, romantic touch to any room.

Between thrifting and simple greenery, my table looked lush and whimsical without hurting my wallet or the planet.

A Quick Note: You Can DIY More Than You Think When It Comes to Party Decorations

I’m no stranger to DIY magic when it comes to party decorations — in fact, when we got married, I pretty much DIYed the whole thing! I made our wedding arch, all the signage, the flowers (yes, all the flowers), including bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and even flower crowns and baskets for the flower girls. I put together the centerpieces, table numbers, menus — you name it. To name a few more, I even did my own hair and makeup (with a little help from one of my maids of honor), crafted gift bags for the kids, made my own hair accessory for the reception, designed the seating chart, and baked our tiny but tasty lemon lavender wedding cake — plus over 300 mini cupcakes, in three flavors, for our guests. I even built the cake stand!

It was a whirlwind, but it saved us thousands of dollars — and honestly, I had the time of my life. If you ever need a little DIY wedding advice (or just someone to cheer you on), I’m always happy to help!

Photo credit: Lumiere Visual Arts

The same approach worked beautifully for this spring dinner party decorations — and it can work for you, too.

A Closer Look at Our Spring Party Decorations

Here’s what I used for our whimsical spring table setup:

• Tablecloth: textured cream and off-white curtains I I already owned
• Glassware: Thrifted mix-and-match glasses that felt charming and eclectic
• Candle Holders: Thrifted glass candle holders
• Candles: White candles (many thrifted, some I already had)
• Centerpieces: Bundles of eucalyptus and baby’s breath laid down the center of the table with scattered candles between them
• Plates and Napkins: New scalloped plates and simple linen napkins

It felt elegant, natural, and a little bit like a cottage garden tea party — exactly the vibe I was going for.

My houseplants are always part of the party decor around here — especially the vining pothos that drapes over our dining room hutch. It’s basically a built-in centerpiece at this point. If you’re curious, I actually started with just one pothos plant at the beginning of the pandemic, and now I’ve propagated it into at least ten different plants! (You can read more about how I did that here.)

Propagating plants is such an easy and inexpensive DIY way to decorate your home — and it adds so much life and charm to any party setup.

How to Plan a Dinner Party (Without Stressing Yourself Out)

If you’re inspired to host your own gathering, here’s a simple roadmap to make it feel manageable and fun — not overwhelming.

1. Pick a Date and Time

Start here! Choose a day that gives you enough time to prepare and that works for the people you most want to see. Weekend evenings tend to be best.

2. Invite Your Guests

Send out your invites early — whether that’s a formal invite, a text message, or a phone call.

Tip: Let them know it’s a little dressier if you want that extra special vibe.

3. Plan Your Menu

Decide what you’re serving and how you’ll handle feeding a crowd. A few things to consider:

Things to Consider When Planning a Dinner Party Menu

Planning your menu doesn’t have to be overwhelming — it just helps to think through a few key questions ahead of time:

What are you comfortable making in the right proportions?

Be honest with yourself. If scaling a complicated recipe for 20+ people makes your head spin, skip it. Stick to dishes you’ve made before or recipes that double (or triple) easily.

How many people are you cooking for — and how much food will you need?

Do a headcount early and overestimate just a little. Leftovers are never a bad thing, especially if you’re sending guests home with to-go boxes.

What needs to be served fresh?

Think salads, crusty breads, fresh fruit, or anything that could wilt, dry out, or get soggy. Plan time on the day-of to assemble these items.

Are there any dietary needs or restrictions?

It’s always thoughtful to check in with your guests ahead of time and plan at least one or two options that work for everyone — whether that’s vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, or kid-friendly.

Don’t forget drinks, ice, and appetizers

Even if you’re keeping appetizers simple, they’re a must — especially if dinner won’t be served the minute guests arrive. Think mixed nuts, chips and salsa, a veggie plate with hummus, or anything you can set out with zero prep.

4. Decide What You Can Make in Advance

Make a list of dishes you can prep the day before, like dressings, sauces, desserts, or even the main course if it reheats well.

Example: For this party, I kept things simple and make-ahead friendly — two words that are basically my love language when it comes to hosting. I made two giant lasagnas the day before, so all I had to do was pop them in the oven when guests arrived. I also whipped up a homemade balsamic vinaigrette and prepped one of my all-time favorite salads: a chopped Italian mix with romaine, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, cucumber, artichoke hearts, and a sprinkle of vegan feta.

For dessert, I baked a lemon cake with a simple vanilla glaze, and we picked up dinner rolls from a local bakery to round it all out. Easy, delicious, and stress-free — which is exactly the vibe I was going for.

5. Plan What You Can Outsource

There’s no shame in buying the bread or a specialty dessert from your favorite bakery! Decide what you want to make yourself and what you’re okay with outsourcing.

6. Plan Your Party Decorations

Think through your table setup and any extra decor you might want around the house.

This is the perfect time to:

• Start browsing thrift stores
• Collect candle holders, vases, and glasses
• Look for budget-friendly greenery at local markets
• Think about a color scheme or mood (I went for fresh spring greens and soft whites)

7. Plan Music or Entertainment

A simple playlist can set the whole mood for your gathering. You could also plan for a few games or conversation starters if you want!

8. Create Your To-Do Lists

Here’s how I break it down:

Weeks Before the Party:

• Pick your date
• Invite guests
• Plan your menu
• Brainstorm decor ideas
• Start sourcing decor
• Plan entertainment and music
• Plan for seating- do you have enough tables and chairs? You can rent them pretty inexpensively if you need more.

The Day Before:

• Clean the house (A day or two before if you are like me and have kids and dogs)
• Make anything you can ahead (salad dressings, dessert, sauces, some sides or mains)
• Set up as much of your table and decor as possible
• Pick out your outfit
• Double-check your checklist

The Day Of:

• Final food prep (salads, breads, reheating mains)
• Set the table
• Set up drinks and desserts
• Get yourself and your family ready
• Light candles, start the music, and relax!

By thinking through these details ahead of time, you’ll be able to truly be present and enjoy your party — instead of running around stressed or stuck in the kitchen.

You Can Create a Magical Party on Any Budget

One of my favorite things about this dinner party was that it didn’t have to be perfect — and it certainly didn’t have to be expensive. With a little planning, a few thrifted treasures, and simple greenery, it’s easy to create a warm, memorable atmosphere your guests will cherish long after the evening ends.

Hosting doesn’t need to be stressful or extravagant. At its heart, it’s about gathering the people you love, making them feel welcome, and carving out space for connection and celebration. There’s something truly special about building that kind of beauty in a way that’s both budget-friendly and gentle on the planet.

If you’re planning your own spring gathering soon, I’d love to hear about it! What thrifting finds or party decoration ideas are you loving right now?