The Lazy Susan – A Helpful Holiday Dinner Guest

As I am now reading recipes, planning and polishing up the family silver to be ready for Thanksgiving and other upcoming holidays, I realized the usefulness of a Lazy Susan on the dinner table or even earlier in the day for munchies for drinks in the living room or den. Where did the name Lazy Susan come from? Supposedly, Thomas Jefferson designed one so his daughter would have better access to the food on the table. Much earlier than that, the Chinese were using a revolving tray set with dishes and were quite pleased at how it made access to the food and condiments more hygienic.

Lazy Susans were the mid century rage, and you can find them in a variety of materials from glass to metal. Some rotate and some stay serenely unmoving. They make a great wedding or housewarming gift if you know the tastes of a vintage-loving couple or family. They are so useful for olives and spreadable cheese with the ever handy crackers. they would be great for a make your own pizza night or a smaller one at a bar table can hold fruit, swizzle stick and even cocktail napkins. If you unfortunately break one of the sections, you might be able to get a replacement at a vintage online shop.

Here are some of the ones that caught my fancy.

Hazel Atlas Two Tone Relish Server

I love the bold colors and the sleek and clean curves of the five components. It comes on a spinning Lazy Susan so sharing is a merry go round! I have yet to meet anything made by Hazel Atlas that was anything other than glass, and this glass quintet is HA at its best. Great colors for an outside event. This is being offered on Etsy by DuffysDoodads for $29.99, a price that will save you some green.

Kromex Appetizer Set Made in Japan

I have always had a soft spot for Kromex and stainless steel. This will serve appetizers on its spinning base with a cool mid century modern attitude. This would be great for two dips and toasted french baguette rounds. Put a dish on the little platform for  some small tidbits on skewers and you are good for lift off. GreatLivingAccessory on Etsy would like to see this at your holiday table and asks $89.00 for this space age server.

Mid Century Teak and Glass Danish Revolving Server

Smoky glass dishes fit into their individual receptacles in the wood so there will be no sliding around at this table. I love the Danish modern style, the beautiful wood paired with such lovely shaped glass and also the fact that you might be able to take one of the dishes with you to your place at the couch depending on what’s going to be served on the wooden pedestal. Why you could cut and serve cake or anything else with this set which is offered on Etsy by ibkas for $187.10

Orange and White Pottery Tower Lazy Susan

When you really need lots of space for treats at the holiday, don’t just go wide but also go tall!  There are 9 separate spaces to hold a wide variety of yummy fruit, veggies and dips or chips. The orange is so bright and cheerful. This California Pottery tower of fun for the holiday table also spins and is at EclecticMichele on Etsy for $80.

What inspired this post was this unique Lazy Susan set that caught my eye.  I just had to have it in the shop. It got me thinking about Lazy Susans and their need to be pulled from retirement in the cupboard to being a star. I just listened to Bill Morrisey’s song Car and Driver which matches in a humorous way the types of cars and the characters who own them. These Susans as so unique with their own personalities that I am fairly certain there is one waiting for you. Have a great and safe holiday season. Sharing food made with love with friends and family is a very good thing.

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