Woman in Real Life

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Spring is coming! Even though I see five inches of snow on the ground outside my window, I know spring can't be far away. One of my annual "celebrating spring" traditions is to set a bright and pretty spring table. I like to use a new, fresh design each time because spring is all about renewal and, of course, it's just fun to get something new. That being said, you don't want to break your budget buying tableware for spring - save some cash for those glorious summer outings! For my spring table this year, I partnered with proudly Canadian retailer Giant Tiger. They are well known for their (very) affordable and fun fashions, and they also have lovely, budget-friendly finds for your home.



Often I start my tablescapes with a showstopping tablecloth or table runner. In this case, I found this gorgeous, patterned Rio Selva Tablecloth online. (This pattern is available in a runner and placemats too.) Some of Giant Tiger's offerings are online exclusives - you can shop from the comfort of your couch and use the ship-to-store option to have your items delivered to your local store for free. You can also ship for free to your home if you spend over $75. I recommend picking up at the store though, because then you can browse the cute accessories and even buy groceries. I found a pretty cotton fringed throw blanket in-store and decided to use it as a table runner.

I think the patterned tablecloth makes the perfect backdrop for a set of clean, white plates. If you already own white plates, as many of us do, a new tablecloth is a great way to jazz them up and make them feel fresh. The plates I used here are from this affordable dinnerware set. I added basic white cloth napkins that I already owned, and topped each place setting with a sunny orange clementine, purchased in the grocery section. What could be more budget-conscious than a decorative item you can eat?


Obviously a spring table should include some type of flowers. (Blooming flowers are one of the best things about spring!) My sister-in-law came shopping with me at Giant Tiger and we were both immediately taken by these beautiful orchids, which were under $8 each. I had been admiring this pretty wire and wood crate that I saw in the weekly flyer and I knew I wanted to use it for my centrepiece. We found that three potted orchids fit nicely in the crate. I also added some polished rocks that I already had. It think moss would be lovely as well.


My clever sister-in-law noticed that the yellow around the edges of these richly hued magenta orchids matches the yellow in the tablecloth nicely. The centrepiece added up to just over $30 and it will last for weeks (as long as I don't kill those orchids!). Down the road, the crate can be used as storage for crafts, linen or clothing.


For my spring table setting, I went with these simple, inexpensive Pasabahce Double Old Fashioned Glasses, which have a clear, clean look. Again, with a "showstopper" tablecloth, you can keep the dishes really simple and still create an elegant overall result. I also used antique cutlery because I always like to incorporate a vintage element or two to give the table added character.



I'm sure my fellow decor enthusiasts spotted the two gorgeous, grey lanterns on my spring table. I confess I'm a bit of a lantern addict, and Giant Tiger has quite a few options for lanterns in the store. These elegant grey ones have battery-operated LED candles inside and, while they look like a natural material, they are actually plastic. They will make the transition outside to the deck when the weather warms up.



I decided the first use for my spring table would be to enjoy a meal of delicious, sweet crepes. With that in mind, I couldn't resist picking up a can of this authentic Quebec maple syrup. It's functional and pretty.


I ordered the Kalorik 2-in-1 Crepe and Pancake Maker to make the job of preparing crepes easier. I don't have much experience making crepes, and that's why my initial crepes, above, were small and thick. I was worried I wouldn't be able to flip them if I made them too big. But, with practice, I did create bigger, thinner crepes. And either way, they tasted delicious. The Kalorik crepe maker definitely helped - it's non-stick, heats evenly across the surface and you can set whether you want your crepes dark or light. We also used the flip side of the griddle to make pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. (It has four indentations for perfectly round pancakes.)


In addition to maple syrup, I got sliced almonds, unsweetened coconut, icing sugar (powdered sugar), strawberries, bananas and blackberries to top our crepes. I also whipped up a simple chocolate drizzle and put it in one of these Wilton squeeze bottles for easy drizzling.


The crepes were absolutely delicious and now that I feel confident about making them, we'll have them much more frequently. (I found this easy vegan crepe recipe online and it worked very well, in case you are in search of a recipe.)

How To Create A Beautiful Spring Tablescape On a Budget:

To summarize, here are my ideas to create a beautiful spring table without breaking the bank:

• up the impact of everyday dishes and glassware with a "showstopper" tablecloth or runner
• use an inexpensive throw blanket as a tablecloth or runner
• create a centrepiece that will last through the season, with elements that can be re-purposed later
• decorate with fruit - it's pretty and you can also eat it!
• include vintage items that you already own for added personality
• explore the affordable home decor finds at Giant Tiger

Questions for you:

Do you create a spring table? What are your tips for sticking to a budget? Have you made crepes? What are your favourite toppings?

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