Welcome to a new regular feature here at Mix Mingle Glow!

We want to help you plan your next party AFFORDABLY, without it looking cheap.  When I am out shopping, I am always looking for different uses for ordinary items.  In fact, I generally try to keep the following criteria in mind when shopping for decor elements:

1. Can I use this in a completely new way that will surprise my guests?
2. Can I use it again later so I can get the most “bang for my buck”?
3. Does it serve more than one purpose during the event (decor AND placecard, centerpiece AND appetizer).

My dearest, coolest, most creative friend in the world recently mentioned to me that it would really be nice if I could find a way to show my readers how to put together a nice table by using items from the Dollar Spot in Target and The Dollar Tree store (”Everything’s a Dollar!”).  In today’s economy, and with what is available in these low priced offerings, there is no reason why you can’t do just that!  So without further ado, let’s get started!

This week I was at the Dollar Spot in Target (the area right up front where items are marked either $1 or $2.50).

Here is some of what I found:

(Clockwise from top left:  ceramic money banks, 17″ round bath mats, night lights, furry slippers.)

Because Target tends to sell the items in this area of the store in “themes”, it is easy to put something together for a party.  Here is what I came home with:

I found two wall plaques and a cute guest book as well (also priced at $2.50 each). 

A couple of additional elements (all of which I already had - you probably have similar items too -or can get them for VERY cheap!):

(Clockwise from top left: 2 plastic tumblers, burlap, pack of colorful craft pom-poms, bambu disposable plates.  I have several different sized pieces of burlap, so I used two large ones and covered up the overlap with a third “runner”!)

The finished product:

Here are the deets:

Use the bath mats as placemats (seriously, those guys are way too small for use as a rug!  I’d also use these as wall art too, but that’s another post!).  So a 17″ “rug” is the PERFECT size for a placemat. 

The little monkey banks make a cute place card holder.  Just stick the cardstock right into the slot and add a tiny piece of tape.

Separate the slippers and use them as a clever little silverware/napkin holders.

 

You can create a mini “lampshade” effect by attaching two of the night lights back to back with floral wire (or a couple of twist ties).  I then placed them atop the plastic tumblers and stuck in some greenery (use some silk branches or just go outside a cut whatever you’ve got…its free!). 

A piece of double backed tape or putty will adhere the two wall hangings together to serve as a cute centerpiece.

When it’s time for the guests to go home, all of this decor does double-duty (and we LOVE double-duty!!) as favors for the goody bags!  Each guest gets their placemat and monkey bank.  You can divvy up the slippers and wall hangings too!  Just stick their name card on the bag and you’re good to go!

All the items I purchased for the decor and goody bags cost less than $45.00 from the Target Dollar Spot!  Can you believe that?  AND, it took less than an hour to set up.  Cute, Easy, AND Affordable?  Yep! 

Stay tuned for more of these fun party ideas.  And by the way, if anyone can help me come up with a fun catchy title for this new series, I’d love to hear it.  In fact, if I end up using your idea, I’ll send you a prize!  Not sure what that prize will be, but I promise it will be super cool!