Design the Perfect Holiday Tablescape with these Secondhand Finds

The holiday season is getting closer and closer, so what better time to plan your tablescape than now? While visiting estate sales and thrift stores over the next few months, you’ll want to be sure to look for the following entertaining pieces, all of which take your tabletop to the next level and impress your guests. 

Brass candlesticks

No tablescape is complete without candles, particularly during the holidays. Estate sales are excellent places to keep your eyes peeled for brass candlesticks with character. It doesn’t matter whether the ones you find are part of a matching set; the more eclectic the mix, the better! Be sure to vary heights, too, for a sophisticated looking arrangement. 

Large Lot of Brass Candlesticks by Past to Present, LLC via AuctionNinja

Crystal votive holders

In addition to looking for candlesticks, you’ll also want to search for some beautiful crystal votive holders. I love ones that are ribbed in design but certainly don’t discriminate—there are so many stunning options worth a look. 

3 Vintage Crystal Bowls And Votive Holder, Including Orrefors And MillerRogaska
by Brownstone Liquidators via AuctionNinja

Cloth napkins

Don’t forget to search through the linen section at an estate sale. You can find so many beautiful cloth napkins just begging to be used once again. All you’ll need to do is put them in the washing machine when you return home, and they'll be all ready for your next fete. Over the summer, I came across an incredible set of block print napkins in bright, festive colors, and they majorly jazzed up my tablescape while hosting a birthday dinner in my apartment. 

Vintage Linens Incl. Colorful Pot Holders, Cloth Napkins, Handkerchiefs, Doilies, Holiday Linens by Sunflower Estate Sales

Napkin rings

At the same sale, I was lucky enough to also score six beautiful brass napkin rings. These looked lovely with the blockprint napkins, but they’re versatile enough that I can use them with truly any shade of linen. I like that they have a bit of patina to them and aren’t too precious. 

Set 6 Brass and Mother of Pearl Napkin Rings with Round Box from Clearing House Estate Sales

Champagne buckets

Every outstanding hostess needs a good champagne bucket (or two!). You can find so many amazing vintage styles while shopping secondhand—I’ve amassed quite the collection of both crystal and brass buckets alike. These also look stylish displayed on a bar cart when not in use.

Champagne coupes and other drinking vessels

While you’re on the hunt for barware, be sure to keep an eye out for chic cocktail glasses, champagne coupes, and other glassware that strikes your fancy. And if you spot a complete set of glasses, buy it! I was fortunate enough to find six charming pink and green coupe glasses while secondhand shopping this summer, and they also made an appearance as part of my birthday tablescape. I have so much clear glassware already that I was eager to welcome a colorful set into the mix. The hues were great for summer but could even make their way into a Christmas tablescape, too.

Set of 48 Lenox Stemware currently offered at AuctionNinja

Wine coasters

What’s classier than placing a bottle of wine inside of a silver wine coaster? Not much, if you ask me! That said, acrylic options are also fabulous. I love collecting these while at thrift and estate sales; you can often find them priced much more cheaply than you would at actual antique stores. I could see giving one as a gift to your favorite hostess along with a bottle of wine that you think they'd absolutely love—it’s no doubt you’ll be invited back for the next soiree! 

Sterling Silver Wine Coaster, Personalized From 1944, 4.25" offered by Ridgefield Thrift Shop

Written by:

Sarah Lyon

October 20, 2023     Updated 08:10 AM

Sarah Lyon is a Washington, DC, native living in New York City. As a freelancer, she frequently covers pieces pertaining to interior design, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her pieces have appeared in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more. When she isn't writing, Sarah works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots (and can't stop rearranging and redecorating her own apartment, either!). She has a penchant for shopping secondhand and loves giving preloved pieces new life. Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine.

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