Happy Easter everyone! I’m back from Spring break, and I’m looking forward to sharing Easter brunch with my family this Sunday using these beautiful DIY Dollar Store Gold Chargers under the thrift store plates I scored a few weeks ago. You may recall I shared our “Thrifty Golden Easter Table” with you? Well, the only part I left out (I’m sneaky like that) was how to make these thrifty DIY dollar store gold chargers. I saved it all for this month’s “Thrifty Style Team“. That reminds me! Don’t forget to check out all 8 thrifty ideas at the bottom of this article.
Okay, so back to the DIY dollar store gold chargers… 
Aren’t they pretty? I have to admit though, I never knew what chargers were until I bought some thinking they were just big plates! 😯 I now know that they are actually only for decorative purposes so please folks…if you make these do not eat food on them. Spray paint is definitely not safe to eat off of. On the golden side 😀 these golden metallic chargers are perfect for setting under your plate to add depth and even glam/color to the table. Your options are endless with these because you could spray paint them any color you desire. How about yellow? Hey, how about purple? Honestly, I really want to do a purple tablescape one day. Hmmm… 
These gold chargers would work great for Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day (my Dad would love them), Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. I liked how they look with my new gold flatware, but stainless steal flatware looks great, too. I hope you try to make them, and let me know if you have any questions.
How I made DIY Dollar Store Gold Chargers
Check out your local dollar store in the party section or kitchen gadget section and you’ll hopefully find these clear plastic trays. If you can’t find them, party supply stores carry them, too. Bring those babies home and wash them with warm soapy water. After they are completely dry, lay them on big drop cloth outside or in an open garage. The spray paint I used is listed below. Be sure to shake the can very well, and hold the can about 6-8 inches above the tray. Spray strips (wear a mask) back and forth until you cover the tray. Let it dry for at least an hour. You will need 3-4 coats. I did not spray the backs, but you can if desired. Remember spray paint is extremely flammable and should never be inhaled. 
*** Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Read full disclosure policy here. 
If you rather buy gold chargers, I found some nice ones HERE.
Vintage Style Champagne Glasses
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I have some gold chargers and one cracked in half. I don’t want to buy another set of four to match cuz I’m cheap, so I guess I should head to the dollar store right? No one in my family would notice one was different, and just last week one of my sons had to do a table setting for his foods class and I explained all about chargers to him.
Hey girl, now you can do this instead. Happy Easter to you!
Oh my goodness, Julie! I would never have guessed that these beautiful chargers started out as plain plastic – you are a home decor genius!
I’m so happy to be partying with you and a Happy Easter to you and your family! xo
Happy Easter, Mary Beth! Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend!
Love this idea, but wouldn’t they have a tendency to scratch easy? Is there anything u could spray on them to keep from scratching?
I haven’t sealed mine, but that wouldn’t be a bad idea, Lynne!
Those look so fantastic Julie! Happy Easter to you and your precious family!
Thank you Vanessa, Happy Easter!!
I actually bought gold charger plates at the Dollar Store years ago and use them all the time for special occasions. I’ve also painted silver and bronze chargers
Hi Cheryl, You have got to be kidding me!? I wonder if they still have them? Wouldn’t that be funny. The joke would be on me, for sure!! I will check. Thanks for letting me know!~ Julie
I haven’t seen them in a long time at my Dollar Store so you’re okay…LOL
Oh dear, I have seen them at party supply stores, too.
Sometimes you just amaze me. You have a vision of things that I wish I had. I am starting to learn from you that a can of spray paint can be really useful.
Hi Audrey, Spray paint is my middle name, ha ha! I’m about to spray a cool chair green for our laundry room makeover. I’m nervous. Have a great day! ~ Julie
I hope I get to see it.
Hi Julie,
OMG I love the $ store, so many great things you can find there. I haven’t even thought about this great idea though for chargers. I’m going to hop on over there.
I spray paint almost everything. If I see something and I can see beyond the color, I know I can spray paint it. Drives my hubbie crazy. Have a wonderful Easter. Thanks for the great tip:-)
Ann, I drive my husband crazy on a regular basis, lol. He drives me crazy, so it works out well! Ha ha! Have a great night. ~ Julie
You are SO clever! I actually have some of those plastic plates from our Dollar Tree…I used them years ago for a baby shower at church. I may need to dig them out…you worked wonders with them. You are truly the tablescape queen…I’m always wowed by your tabletop creations, friend!
Hey Kristi! Thanks so much for stopping over! I miss you IMP gals! I’ll be over tonight. XO
If scratches are a concern pretty crocheted (or) paper doilies may work! Your family will love your Easter tablescape. Easter Blessings to you and family.
Thank you, Darlene! Great idea and happy Easter!
You are a genius! I never would have thought of doing this. Your Easter table setting looks great. Regarding a sealer, I imagine that an acrylic spray sealer would keep the paint from scratching off. Nobody would ever know these chargers came from the dollar store (unless you told them).
Hi Carol! I wouldn’t go that far, but I will run with that compliment! ?
When in doubt, go ahead and spray paint it. Those look so fantastic, who would have thought they were very inexpensive plastic trays/plate? Just love it, what would we do without our $ stores?
Shucks we were just in Grand Junction today but didn’t get to $tree which was in same shopping center as Hobby Lobby.
Speaking of them, they had so much awesome stuff on sale had very hard time deciding what to spend money on. That place makes me crazy with all the good deals on so many decorative home items. Hadn’t been in HL for few weeks so had to peruse all the decorative items sale aisles. Should have checked out fabrics as want to make new bedroom curtains, spiff up our room a bit, needs it, looking pretty ho-hum to me lately as has been pretty same since we moved in, (10 yrs. ago). Still love style but needs something fresh in there.
Your table with new chargers and incredible dishes looks especially pretty, loving it, great job as always.
Wishing you and your a wonderful and happy Easter
Ohhhh JaneEllen, When I go in HL I get so dizzy from looking at everything, ha ha!! I get a bit overwhelmed and end up getting something I really don’t like. Isn’t that funny? Luckily my kids are usually with me and they control their Mom and tell me it’s time to go home. Good luck with freshening up your room. Sounds like perfect timing for Spring. Happy Easter, friend! ~ Julie
Hi Julie, I just wanted to say I love your website design (& all your projects too), looks really great! I came here from Pinterest to see your basil preservation which I’m definitely going to be trying. Again, everything looks awesome! Did you do it yourself?
Hi Bethany! I’m so happy you stopped by. I’m not sure if you are referring to the website design or the project? Let me know! ~ Julie
How long did you have to wait before bringing them to the table? Spray paint odors seem to hang on forever.
They cured over night. Put them in the sun for quicker curing.
Great Idea, love that Dollar Store. love, Dad in NY
Thanks, Dad! What’s for dinner tonight? Fish fry?
I love this idea! I have a few good plastic chargers that I will paint occasionally to jive with my colors. Happy Easter!
I’ve been admiring your beautiful farm on Instagram, Laura! Happy Easter my friend! -Julie
Fish Fry NY Style
WOW what a wonderful idea. I will do sets for Easter, Halloween, birthdays, Christmas and New Years parties What a wonderful talent you have . Thanks again for the idea
Gorgeous!
I’ve seen this done where only the bottoms were painted,
so that the etched design showed through, and those were
stunning as well.
I’m planning to do this, as well as paint some smaller plates
to offset my white dishes *painting only the backs*, as well
as cups/plastic glasses, ect.
So many ideas!
Genius!!!!
[…] Gold Chargers from Red Head Can Decorate […]
Debbie, I have to tell you this funny story. Many years ago we were having a large family get-together and I had set my table in the dining room with my gold Chargers. I had a couple of the family members take the Chargers off the table and move them to the hutch. I guess they didn’t know what they were, I think they thought they were large heavy plates. I had to laugh to myself!
[…] stool and felt like I just won the lottery (here’s a similar one). It was perfect for the dollar store gold spray painted tray I made a few years […]
Hi Julie, I enjoyed your post and am a new subscriber 🙂 However, i note that dollar tree sells the actual chargers – gold, silver and red for $1 each – so you don’t have to spend time and money on spray painting plastic trays….just thought you should know. thanks
Paula
You are right, Paula! I noticed this about a year after my post. Unless I missed them sooner? On a side note, if you want a different color like pink or green etc., this would be a great tip. Thank you for being a subscriber, and thank you for letting us know.
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[…] Gold Chargers from Red Head Can Decorate […]