When we was cleaning out my dads home my nephew was throwing perfectly good things away including my dads camping gear. David managed to get all of his cast iron pans for me which has been sitting out on my back porch since we moved in. Its time to do something with them.
Because the things we already own are more special than we realize. They might sit unused for years, but that doesn’t mean we have to throw them away or spend money replacing them with something new. Instead we can clean them up and fix them and use them.
I have three pieces a bean pot, a skillet, and a coffee pot. When I look at them, I think about being a kid and going camping with my family. These were the pieces we used on those camping trips, and they’ve been around long enough to hold some special memories.
Nobody uses them for cooking anymore, but I’ve planted flowers in the pans at different times. These days, they’re sitting out on our back porch, resting until I decide what to do with them next. And that’s when I started thinking: Why not decorate with them throughout the year?
Instead of buying new containers and decorations for every holiday, we can use what we already have and change the decorations inside them as the seasons come and go. Best of all, we can do it without permanently changing or damaging the cookware. Which I can’t wait to begin using.
One thing I wanted to point out is we don’t need to be an expert crafter to try this idea. We just need a little imagination, a few seasonal decorations, and something we already own that could use a new purpose. My dad’s bean pot, skillet, and coffee pot could each have a different look throughout the year. When one season ends, I can remove those decorations, store them for next year, and bring out something new.
Fall is a wonderful time to bring out the warm colors of the season. A skillet could hold small artificial pumpkins, colorful leaves, and pinecones. The bean pot could become a rustic display filled with artificial fall foliage, while the coffee pot could hold artificial autumn flowers.
Arrange the pieces together on a porch table, or spread them around your home. They don’t have to match perfectly. Sometimes different pieces look even better when each has its own personality. When fall is over, simply remove the decorations and put them away.
For Thanksgiving, we can give the same cookware a harvest makeover. Artificial sunflowers, autumn leaves, small pumpkins, and a removable Give Thanks sign could turn a skillet into a centerpiece. The bean pot might hold a harvest arrangement, while the coffee pot could display artificial flowers.
You could even use these pieces to decorate a kitchen counter or a side table near the dining room. The best part is that you don’t need to buy another set of containers. You’re simply changing what goes inside the ones you already have. Bringing my dad closer to me.
When Christmas arrives, it’s time for another change. Artificial evergreen branches, red berries, pinecones, and Christmas ornaments can give the bean pot a festive look. A skillet could hold a small collection of ornaments, and the coffee pot could become a container for artificial greenery.
If you enjoy ribbons, you could tie one around a handle, provided it can be secured without damaging the cookware. Once Christmas is over, everything comes out again. Store the decorations carefully, and the cookware is ready for the next season and your ready for a new year.
After Christmas, you don’t have to put everything away and leave your home without decorations until spring. Try artificial evergreen sprigs, pinecones, or simple natural-looking arrangements in neutral winter colors. You can keep the display simple and cozy without adding another holiday theme. This is also a good time to leave a favorite piece as it is and enjoy its old-fashioned charm.
Spring brings another opportunity to change things up. A skillet could hold a removable arrangement of colorful spring flowers. The bean pot might display greenery and artificial blossoms, while the coffee pot could serve as a small vase for artificial tulips or other seasonal flowers.
For Easter, you could add decorative eggs or a few spring decorations to the arrangement. I’ve planted flowers in the pans before, so I know they can be used in that way. If you want to plant directly in cast iron again, keep in mind that standing water and constant moisture can cause rust. A removable planter or waterproof insert is a better choice for protecting a cherished piece.
When summer arrives, bright flowers and greenery can give the cookware another fresh look. Place a skillet on a porch table with a removable floral arrangement. Use the bean pot for a collection of artificial flowers, or decorate the coffee pot with a small summer bouquet.
You could even choose red, white, and blue decorations for Independence Day. When the season changes again, remove the decorations and start over. One set of containers can serve you through the entire year. Because my cookware belonged to my dad, I wouldn’t want to change it permanently just to make a decoration.
Here are a few simple ways to protect pieces that still have sentimental or practical value.
Keep decorations removable. Use artificial flowers, seasonal ornaments, and loose decorative pieces rather than glue, nails, or screws attached to the cookware.
Protect the cast iron from moisture. Make sure the pieces are clean and completely dry before storing them. If you use real flowers or plants, place them in a separate waterproof container rather than allowing water to sit directly inside the cookware.
Avoid permanent changes. There’s no need to paint, drill, or coat the cookware. That way, you preserve its original condition and leave open the possibility of using it for cooking again if you choose.
Store seasonal decorations for next year. Keep each season’s decorations in a labeled container so you can find them easily when it’s time to change your display.
Choose a safe place to display them. Cast iron can be heavy, so use a sturdy, level surface. Keep arrangements away from walkways, and secure anything that might tip over.
These small steps help us enjoy the decorations while preserving the cookware itself.
One thing I like about this idea is that it encourages us to look around our homes before heading to the store. We might already have containers, baskets, bowls, or other household items that can be decorated in different ways throughout the year. We can reuse the decorations we have, add a few inexpensive pieces when needed, and change the arrangement without starting from scratch every season. And when an item has a family story behind it, we have another reason to keep it and care for it.
My dad’s bean pot, skillet, and coffee pot remind me of camping with my family when I was growing up. They don’t have to be used for cooking every day to remain part of our home. With a few removable decorations, they can become part of our seasonal decorating, too.
Sometimes giving something a new purpose isn’t about making a big change. It’s about finding a way to enjoy what we already have while holding on to the memories that make it special. That’s something worth being thankful for. Greatful Moments — Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
Do you have an old pot, skillet, coffee pot, basket, or another household item that could be decorated differently throughout the year? Have you found a way to reuse something special without permanently changing it? I’d love to hear your ideas. Sometimes the best decorating inspiration comes from the things we already have at home.
Grateful, Thankful, Blessed.
GreatfulMoments.com
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
