Ah…. it’s Summer! Well okay, it isn’t officially Summer yet, but close enough to start taking advantage of these warmer days and nights and plan a Patio Party!
A Patio Party is the perfect opportunity to get together with old friends and a great way to meet new friends. Parties outside have a casual feel, with great conversation, food, fun and laughter. They make Summer’s last longer – or at least they make it feel that way.
When you use vintage serving pieces for your patio parties, you have a chance to add a unique touch to your decor and the pieces double as fun conversation starters.
Vintage doesn’t have to mean boring and archaic. Some vintage pieces are stylish. Some have an edge of modern sophistication. Others are quirky and have great stories behind them! And almost every single piece is unique. Check out the vintage pieces below, and you’ll see what I mean. They are anything but boring!
Creative Patio Party Uses For These Vintage Pieces
#1 – Vintage Stainless Steel and Wood Serving Snack Tray Set with 6 Metal Plates (c.1960s)
The large metal tray has five divided compartments – perfect for holding appetizers. The six metal plates can be stored in the center compartment, and then taken out when you’re ready to serve. The plates are just the right size for small appetizers – yum!
#2 – Vintage Silverplate Star Cutout Votive Holder by Godinger (c.1970s)
This silver votive candle holder has a star cutout pattern and adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor party. When you place a candle in the holder, the light reflects stars on nearby surfaces.
Enchanting!
#3 – Vintage Glass Serving Bowl with Metal Tripod Stand and Lid (c.1950s)
Use this bowl at a patio cocktail party to hold lemon slices, olives, cherries, or nuts.
Your guests will love it!
#4 – Vintage “Top Shelf” Fruit Crate (c1950s)
This wood crate makes a fun patio party tray to hold snacks and beverages, or even to hold party dishes.
Just fill it with plates, silverware, and napkins and you have a ready-made serving set for your guests.
#5 – Vintage Brass Fly Ashtray / Trinket Box with Pivoting Wings, Made in Italy (c.1930s)
This brass fly shaped ashtray has pivoting wings – just lift the wings up and you reveal a hidden compartment. Perfect for storing matches to light candles at your party.
It’s a fun piece that is sure to start a conversation.
#6 – Vintage Selandia Stainless Steel Serving Trays (c.1960s)
These metal trays are perfect for serving your favorite party snacks! Use the divided tray to hold a variety of cheese and the other tray to hold crackers.
They look great when used together!
#7 – Vintage Aluminum Star Shaped Jello Mold in Silver (c.1970s)
These tin stars have lots of clever uses! Use the stars to dress up a Summer patio party table – they make unique condiment holders. And, they float! Place several tins into a tub of water, add votive candles and you have awesome floating star candles.
If you have enough of these tins, you can also use one tin at each place setting to hold small party favor candies for each of your guests. Clever!
#8 – Vintage Beverage Mugs with Handles and Brushed Steel Band, Set of 8 (c.1950s)
This set of mid century glasses with a stylish steel band are perfect for serving hot beverages at your patio party!
Of course, they could also be used to serve root beer floats with a cherry on top, as well!
#9 – Vintage Silver Sherbet Cups by Victor Silver Co, Set of 6 (c.1930s)
These metal cups have a ton of different uses! They make great condiment cups at a patio party bar – cherries, hazelnuts, olives, mint sprigs, etc. You could also use them as mini vases to hold your favorite fresh cut flowers for a unique floral display for your table. Use the cups to hold small candies for after dinner treats, or to hold spices and seasonings for your buffet table.
#10 – Vintage Italian Silvertone Metal Fish Napkin Holder / Fish Photo Holder with Original Box (c.1960s)
Catch of the day! Use this fun fish napkin holder at your next patio party – it’s sure to turn a head or two. When not in use at a party, you can also use it on a desk to hold your to-do lists and notes, or use it at a cabin to hold photos of all the fish you caught!
#11 – Vintage Shark Bottle Opener / Bremer Fish Shaped Aluminum Opener 7″ long (c.1950s)
Crack open your favorite bottled beverage with this whimsical bottle opener!
It’s especially fun to use this at a pool party. When not in use, display it on a shelf or in a curio cabinet – it’s sure to be a conversation piece!
#12 – Vintage Brass Stencil Reese’s Interlocking Stencils (c.1950s)
Brass stencils have so many clever uses!
You can use just the letters you need to create signs for your party. Set them on a table or hang them on a wall – form the words “Let’s Eat!” or “Party” for some fun phrases. You could even use the stencils as place cards for your party – the first initial of each guest, for example.
#13 – Vintage Stainless Steel and Wood Serving Tray Set, Condiment or Relish Tray (c.1960s)
The metal trays sit inside the wood frame and are the perfect size for condiments – lemons, limes, cherries, and olives at your next vintage cocktail party! Having a gourmet buffet? Use the trays to hold special seasoning salts. And when you’re not entertaining, you can use this set in an office as a unique holder to store paper clips and other small office supplies. Lots of clever uses!
What are your ideas for adding a vintage twist to a Patio Party? Share in a comment below!