We all know about the troubles involved with eating outside. There’s the wind which blows your tablecloth around and sweeps away your napkin. There are bugs who fly at you or try to land on your food. But we battle on because there’s just something about eating outdoors that makes burgers, steaks and other foods taste even better than they usually do. There are clips you can use to hold down the tablecloth and, well, just don’t let go of your napkin, or at least stick a corner of it under your plate to prevent it from blowing away. When it comes to the bugs, there are new products out which can help cut down on the amount of bugs flying around your food. Still, there’s that occasional fly or gnat who does a dive-bomb into your plates or bowls of food and that just won’t do. You can go buy those little tents which cover food dishes or just make some of your own. When you use flowerpots you can quickly make nice food covers which can be used for many years, and for many special occasions.
Plastic or other flowerpots which feature a hole in the bottom are perfect for making outdoor food covers. The plastic ones work best because they are lightweight and cost little. You’ll find the inexpensive flowerpots at a discount department store or even at a nursery. Purchase them in various sizes to cover assorted bowls, plates and other dishes.
It’s easy to turn a flowerpot into a food cover in just a couple of minutes. Cut a length of small-diameter roping, or even ribbon, and use it as the handle for the cover. Turn the flowerpot upside-down and push both ends of the roping through the hole. From the inside, take the ends of the rope, and tie them into one knot. Make sure the knot is large enough so that it won’t pass through the hole.
Although you’re often limited in the choices of color for plastic flowerpots you can purchase the white ones and turn them into birthday covers, Fourth of July covers, or even wedding covers. Use paint markers and a stencil, rubber stamping, stickers or other craft supplies to give a collection of the flowerpot lids the design or theme you want. To use them just set them over food dishes. Guests or family members can lift the lids by holding onto the cord or ribbon. They’re handy and pretty.