Monday, May 25, 2009

{a $1 Basket and a Special Occasion}

Who would have thought
a Goodwill basket costing a mere DOLLAR
could be a part of such a joyous occasion?
(Original Store tag was $8.50)
This past Saturday, the daughter of a close friend of Kevin's from West Virginia was married.
The newlyweds traveled to NC today, to spend their honeymoon at our lake house.
I wanted to gather items to WELCOME them and hopefully make their visit extra special.
The basket was the perfect size for a base, and was "softened in appearance," with a coat of off-white spray paint.
The basket, below, was filled with chocolate kisses, nuts, a candle, frame, and....
....a gift certificate and menu from a tasty local restaurant that the couple favored when they vacationed here last Fall, with their family.
To accompany the basket...
Dollar Tree Glasses were transformed into a keepsake with "rub-ons," also from The Dollar Tree.

Quick & Easy Metamorphosis....

The one sheet of Rub-ons did two glasses, and also had two small "LOVE" transfers that were added to the base of the glasses.


Bought cream color towels and had them monogrammed at a local shop.

Below,

the collection of gifts to Welcome the special couple....
The Gift Basket wrapped and topped with a netting bow,
the towels in the decorative bag,
and glasses, juice, and candle on a silver tray.

Closeup of the sweet "wedding cake candle,"
also found at the Dollar Tree.


For more posts featuring Second-hand treasures and their transformations and creative uses, please visit the following blogs below...
~~~
Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch,




Rhoda, at Southern Hospitality,


and Diane on Tuesday, at A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.

More Lake House Thriftiness...
Last Summer we renovated the Lake House and a majority of the decor was completed with thrifty finds. Browse on down for a few highlights....
Hand-me down chairs spray-painted black for the bottom back porch...

Thrift store bowl filled with shells atop a handed down table and chairs.

Goodwill lamp...

Second-hand Store Prints for the bathroom....

and master bedroom...

Flea-market frog and second hand books for the lamp base.

Oh, how I love a bargain! :)

~Rhonda

42 comments:

Nancy @ Live love laugh said...

You could not buy a nicer gift than the one you gave the newlyweds! So sweet!
~Nancy

susan said...

Your are a hostess extroidinaire!!! What a thoughtful gift (and the house too!!).

Susan said...

You are so lovingly giving and creative!!!! What a beautiful job you did for this blessed bride & groom.
Susan

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

What a wonderful welcome for the newlyweds - beautiful job! Lots of creativity going on there - love it. Linda

Anonymous said...

Wow! I am sure the couple was thrilled. That basket (and all the other things) turned out beautifully. I am going to file this one away - thanks for the great ideas. I am always trying to find cute (inexpensive) ways to make guests feel extra-special.

Unknown said...

I love the basket. I love special touches like that and I'm sure the newlyweds were thrilled to see that little surprise. Great ideas about the transfers!

Mary said...

The basket was such a thoughtful gift. They must have been thrilled with all the personal touches.
I love the transfer idea, are they permanent?
I would love to see more of the lake house.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Rhonda, that's a great idea for a welcome wedding present. I love the whole basket & those glasses are so cute. I love those rub-ons too. You did a great job with that!

Justabeachkat said...

Your basket was filled with more than just wonderful little gifts...it was filled with your love...and that's the greatest gift of all. Good job girlfriend!

Hugs!
Kat

southerninspiration said...

What a sweet and thoughtful gift you pulled together!! I am sure they LOVED it!!

Suzanne

Vee said...

You are a sweetheart! I know that that couple felt so blessed by those gifts.

KarenB said...

I bet it was so much fun pulling that basket together for the newlyweds! You did a great job and they're sure to love it.

onlymehere said...

What an incredibly thoughtful welcome gift!! You amaze me with your extra touches. I never seem to think of those kinds of details. Hmmmm, maybe if Nicholas and Jill can't afford their honeymoon I can sneak into their townhouse on the wedding day (while they're taking pictures of course and aren't there, LOL) and leave something like this! We'll have to see what happens. Thanks for the idea. I can monogram the towels myself!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Me again! Oh, I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this post. 36 years ago almost, my aunt and uncle allowed my new husband and I to spend our Honeymoon at their cottage. I didn't have any beautiful basket or glasses...but my aunt hung signs all over the cottage and filled the refrigerator with yummy treats. I still have those paper plate signs...some were a little embarrasing for a new bride! but it was so fun. This couple is going to be thrilled and you are making such wonderful memories! BTW...LOVE those glasses. I don't know how some of you think of this stuff!

The Tattered Cottage said...

What a wonderful "Welcome" to the new couple and the lake house is just beautiful. The newlyweds will have wonderful memories and keepsakes of their time at the lakehouse. Love the glasses.
Toni

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

Girl, you are GOOD! What a wonderful gift.

And Dollar Tree has rub on transfers?! I haven't seen those there! I must go look...

Michelle@Life with Three said...

Absolutely beautiful! I love what you did with the glasses and the transfers. I'm wondering, do the tranfers stay on after washing? I'm assuming that they'd be handwash only, right?

Anonymous said...

Wow Rhonda! As if staying at the Lake house wasn't more than enough the basket and gifts are very generous!! I love what you did to the glasses! I must try that!! Hope you had a fun filled Memorial weekend! I should be working on my flea market project for my post but.....very lazy today!lol Have a great week and thanks for your sweet comments! - Sincerely, Jeannette

Jessica Morris said...

Oh my goodness! You are SO sweet and creative!! That was such a nice welcome gift you left for that couple!!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Everything is just wonderful my friend...that basket is a darling idea..loved it all...may you have a great day today...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

What a wonderful gift and what a fun surprise for the newlyweds! It's like a gift that keeps on giving, because they keep finding wonerful items to make their visit more memorable. Those glasses are such a fabulous idea! Your "finds" for the summer house are wonderful (are you trying to steal my blog name-bargain hunter)? laurie

Lady Katherine said...

What a wonderful gift for the newlyweds! I packed a basket for each of my girls when they got married. For they never got enough food at the reception, to enjoy later that night. You found some great thing to put in the basket!

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhonda! Oh, what a wonderful heartfelt gift! I'm sure the little couple were thrilled to death! You did so well. Love how you put the stickies on those glasses! Very classy!
Love your lake house. I wish you'd do a post on it again! Would love to see all you've done to it.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Anonymous said...

Rhonda, you are something else! May I please stay at your lake house? ;-)
Please read my email (sent Monday evening) if you haven't already.
Thanks!
Aunt Janet

A Hint of Home said...

What a fantastic post and ideas you came up with for the happy couple. They will be thrilled, I'm sure. Your lake house looks wonderful, too.

Southern Lady said...

Oh, Rhonda ... what a sweet and touching gift for the newlyweds. I know that meant a lot to them and made their stay at your lake house even more special. The little cake candle is so elegant ... you just never know what you will find at Dollar Tree, do you!

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Hi Rhonda,
That is an AWESOME gift basket...you could have a side business of making them personal for each customer!!!
Do you just LOVE your lake home?!!!
How peaceful it must be.
Warmly,
Deb :)

sara@augustfields said...

what a FABULOUS basket full of gifts! so meaningful and special. :) Monogrammed items are definently a great pick!

Pam @ Frippery said...

What fabulous gifts. I love seeing what everyone creates with a little cash and lots of imagination!

mysteryhistorymom said...

You are one of THE most creative people I know, Rhonda! Love you!:) Lori

Unknown said...

Wow Rhonda, you really did alot with your finds!

I bet the newly weds will love the gift.

I've been thinking of painting my porch rockers black...yours look great!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

What a great post, Rhonda! I love every bit of it.

I am going to look for those $ store transfers! Wonderful idea!

Darlene said...

What a fabulous gift basket you made for the newlyweds. CUTE!

I love all your beauties around the lake house!♥

KayC. said...

Your gift basket is a beautiful gift that anyone would be happy to recieve. I like how you had it all set up. And you did a great job of shopping and using your imagination for those little touches.

Missy Wertz said...

You did good girl! And what a beautiful basket it turned out and what a beautiful gift. The B&G loved it I bet.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhonda, what a beautiful gift and so thoughtful. I can just envision the two of them sitting on your beautiful porch watching the sun go down ♥

The Quintessential Magpie said...

You are great with giving people something special! You're special, too!

XO,

Sheila

Glenda/MidSouth said...

What great ideas! I feel sure they loved it all.
Glenda

SmilingSally said...

What a delightful basket you put together. I'm sure it pleased the newlyweds.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

You and me both, sister! I love me a bargain!!!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Rhonda...you are so clever and creative! What an incredible gift basket! They must have been totally wowed! The towels and glasses are wonderful! Your rocking chairs look awesome, btw! And congrats to Ashley...you have some amazing daughters! Susan

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Ooops...meant to say amazing children! :-)