a week of gift ideas: day 1 { trays }

Added 9/22/09: Rhoda is also having her beadboard wallpaper party today that I'm linking my laundry room cabinets and tray to. Go see what everyone else is wallpapering :)

We're talking about gifts this week! Things to be on the lookout for now amidst your thrifting to make the holiday gift giving a little less expensive and hectic.

Today, we're talking trays!

Keep your eyes open for these at yard sales and thrift stores. They are pretty inexpensive at craft stores as well~usually between $3-$5 with coupons. Here is one of the trays I found at a yard sale a while ago for 50 cents that I want to makeover:

I have a couple of trays I used for some inspiration~this one I bought almost 10 years ago at Target and have used in various places throughout my homes~right now it's being used on the kitchen desk as a little catch all for the school calendar, my daily planning notebook, Webkinz codes, a little Darth Vader whose cape we're on the hunt for, health insurance cards that need to go into our wallets, and coupons that need to be put in my little purse coupon file.
I love the beadboard bottom
and the handles on the side of it:
The other tray I use is from the Target 75% Easter clearance~it's just on my front entryway table:

On to the makeover:
I got these little knobs at Hob Lob for half off that I am going to use for tray feet. If you can find any that are missing the screw, even better. They gave me a couple for free and it saved me from having to break them off. The other two I paid $2 each for.

I spray painted the top part in Rustoleum's Heirloom White, then hot glued the knobs to the bottom:
I spray painted a piece of the paintable beadboard wallpaper cut to size a bluish greenish color called Glacier Blue. It was on clearance at Walmart and I may just have to run back to see if there is any left~I love this color!
Here's how it turned out:
Need some more tray inspiration?

I love this one that Kimm made for her bathroom counter:

Here is one Crafty Nest made from an old cabinet door:
And one that Lindsay re-purposed for her lovely vignette:

Joy has some fabulous trays ideas as well that you need to see:


I know there are many more tray ideas out there in blogland. If you have one, or know of one, feel free to link it up below so we can see!


I'm also joining Rhoda's Thrifty Treasures Monday:


Have a great day!