Better late than never: I tackled this little makeover about two months ago, before we moved (hence the photos with our old kitchen counters). I wanted to share it in case someone else finds an inexpensive vintage cheese plate and wants a simple way to give it new life with patterned paper. Here’s what I did.

I found this quirky glass-dome cheese plate at Goodwill for forty cents in early December. Yes—forty cents for the glass dome and a wooden base with a glued-on ceramic disc that said “cheese.” It was marked as eighty cents and they were running a half-price glassware day, so I couldn’t pass it up. The piece was charming but in need of a refresh. The ceramic disk had a cute retro font, but the little black rat with red eyes on it was a bit creepy for everyday display.

Since I planned a lightweight makeover, I stopped by Michael’s and picked up a single sheet of decorative paper for seventy-nine cents. That made the total project cost just $1.19, and the result was a cheerful, budget-friendly update.

First I removed the ceramic disc from the wooden base. I used a flat-head screwdriver to carefully pry it up. It popped off pretty easily; if it hadn’t, I would have made a paper template to trace the exact size onto the decorative sheet. Because the disk came off, I simply centered the ceramic circle on the patterned paper, traced around it with a pen, and neatly cut out the circle with scissors.

Next I glued the paper circle to the ceramic disc using Aleene’s Tacky Glue, making sure the pattern was centered and smoothed out. Then I adhered the ceramic disc back onto the wooden base with Gorilla Wood Glue. To ensure the paper bonded flat to the ceramic and the ceramic bonded evenly to the wood, I placed a stack of heavy books on top for several hours. Using books kept everything clamped and wrinkle-free while the glue set.

After the glue had dried, I protected the paper by brushing a coat of Mod Podge over the top. Mod Podge creates a laminated-like, water-based seal that’s non-toxic, so it’s fine for displaying cookies, wrapped sweets, or other dry items. I don’t recommend using the updated platter as a cutting surface—it’s decorative rather than food-prep tough—but it works beautifully for cakes, cupcakes, wrapped treats, or decorative items like a bowl of nuts or a stack of soap.

One of the nice things about this makeover is how flexible it is: you can choose seasonal patterns for a holiday feel or more neutral prints for year-round use. I used a festive red pattern that feels jolly to me, but the same approach would work with florals, geometrics, or even wallpaper samples for a different look. The finished piece could make a sweet gift, a small bathroom display for guest soap, or a pretty way to present treats during a party.

I also enjoyed the small nostalgia trip while writing this up—the photos are some of the last we took in our first house, and it’s kind of bittersweet to see those old granite counters one more time. We’re busy with the new place, but it was fun to share this little project from the archives. For now, the revamped cheese plate will likely live in a hallway bathroom holding a neat stack of bar soap when we eventually tackle that room, though it’s just as happy on a coffee table holding pinecones or seasonal accents.

If you want to recreate this, here’s a quick materials list: a cheap cheese plate or similar tray with a removable disc, a sheet of decorative paper or a wallpaper sample, a cutting tool or scissors, Aleene’s Tacky Glue (or similar craft glue), Gorilla Wood Glue (or another strong wood adhesive), Mod Podge or another water-based sealer, and a few heavy books or clamps to hold everything while drying. The steps are straightforward: remove the disc, trace and cut the paper, glue the paper to the disc, glue the disc back to the base, press flat while drying, and seal the top for protection.

This simple, low-cost update transforms a thrift-store find into a charming, personalized piece for your home or a thoughtful handmade gift.