The Holiday Hosting Essential That You Can Easily Find At The Thrift Store

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A trip to the thrift store may be just what you need to score the perfect centerpiece for appetizer arrangements if you want to level up your hosting game this holiday season. For a bit of eye-catching decor that delivers a ton of flexible functionality, it's time to get a cluster bowl. These clusters of stacked bowls are typically filled with delicious bites, from creamy spinach dip in the middle to olives and crackers that flank the sides. While it's possible to find these party bowls for a reasonable price online, you'll often snag a much better deal at a thrift store if you take the time to seek them out. 

These chic decorative pieces consist of a group of individual bowls in different sizes that are fused together, often by welding. They sometimes fall into a cascading design and vary in size and shape. Many designs feature one or two bowls right in the middle of the cluster on top of a series of smaller fused bowls. The end result stands out in a way other bowls never could, largely because the merged design gives cluster bowls the look of a fine art sculpture. The fanciest versions of these thrifted finds even feature cool embellishments, like gold branch-shaped handles fixed to a group of pounded metal bowls or vintage scalloped designs that are coming back into vogue. If you're looking for a conversation starter when setting up for your next memorable dinner party, these could be the perfect candidates.

Most of the time, if you're looking for a set of these bowls, you'll find them in the housewares aisles, near the dishes or serving platters. You may also spot them in the kitchen, miscellaneous, or party supplies sections. And if you're in a store that has an antique section, don't be surprised if you discover some of these party bowls among the trending, treasured vintage and antique items the store carries. 

Given that you never know what you'll find at a secondhand store, you may have to make multiple trips to happen upon a set of these party bowls. It's also the case that you'll have better luck if you look at more than one store before settling on a piece that you like. Don't forget that many thrift stores have moved themselves into the Internet age by necessity. As such, you might find what you're looking for by checking out your favorite secondhand store online. If the store has a website, it'll often have an "Order Now" feature that allows you to ship the cluster bowls directly to your home. Some online thrift stores, like Goodwill or Salvation Army, also allow you to bid on certain items. Not only does this save you a trip to the store, but it may also mean the difference between you getting the piece you want or not.

Cluster bowls are a variation of the chip-and-dip bowl or the charcuterie board. The dip goes in the middle, with munchables like crackers or olives filling the side bowls. What sets this piece apart from the standard cheeseboard is the unique shape of the bowls' design. Many of the cluster bowl designs look a bit like a cluster of grapes. When you're styling your table, take a cue from that. Start by adding an elegant Artoid Mode Beige Gold Gauze Table Runner to the table to visually ground the bowls. Then, place the cluster bowls in the center. Adorn the sides of the bowl with bunches of grapes, whole walnuts, or groupings of beautiful fruits. 

Alternatively, you could make a stunning yet simple holiday centerpiece from cluster bowls. This setup, too, would benefit from having a table runner underneath it, with perhaps a candle arrangement placed in the middle bowl. Make the light from the candles more vibrant by setting the bowls on an oval mirror to reflect the light. And instead of regular taper candles, use 3-Inch White Floating Candles from the Ashlux Store. Around the winter holidays, strings of Christmas bulbs could be placed around the sides of the bowls. In the summertime, swap those out for the Sailingstory Glass Fishing Float String. Arranging the strings of bulbs into clusters visually repeats the form of the bowls and adds color to the tablescape. Meanwhile, additions like pine boughs, twigs, and other items with rougher finishes juxtapose the bowls and bring texture to the mix, heightening the visual interest of the arrangement.