The Washington Post’s home and design reporter Jura Koncius recently emailed me, wanting to talk about TV tray tables. She was working on a feature to go with the launch of the new fall TV season: a what’s-old-is-new-again look at these throwbacks to the early days of television and how they still might relate to our lives today. Did I use them? What did I know about them? Are folks into them? It was a lot of fun talking to her! Read her story here.
And then, Open Thread:
Do you use TV tray tables? Do you have stories about growing up with them? Are you on the lookout for vintage, like the set above from ebay seller heathers684 (affiliate link). Even: What are you watching on TV this season that you’d like to recommend?
Mike says
Why we have a dining table I have no idea. We can also sit at the island in the kitchen, but never do. Do we use TV tables? What other kinds of tables are there? LOL
Chris reynolds says
I have a set of vintage TV trays we use almost every day.
I purchased several years ago at a local antique shop thinking they would look great in living room. Never expected to get so much use out of them. Fiberglass tray with butterflies and flowers. As well as a matching carry stand. Love my TV trays!
Barbara says
Okay! So…family/friends call me, “the-needle-a-haystack”! I haven’t had a TV in my home for 20 years. If you invite me over for dinner, I promise you not only a great conversation, but, a possible TV show about how a family has survived 20 years without a TV.
TV trays are great to use for many purposes. Perhaps when I finish remodeling my 1968 Airstream trailer, I’ll stop along the way and look for a vintage set of TV trays. It’s nice to know they fold up and store almost anywhere you can find a spot.
Thanks Pam for the info.
Ranger Smith says
Oh heck ya! We had the metal ones and then for Christmas one year I upgraded my folks to the oak set. On nights when my dad wasn’t home (he was a fireman) we would often eat from the TV trays. Otherwise it was at the table. I distinctively remember watching coverage in about 1973 of the LAPD trying to rescue Patty Heart from the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA). My grandma had a set of the black ones with flowers.
Jay says
As kids we always ate at the kitchen or dining room tables but occasionally had dinner on trays in the living room. Several neighbors had the 60s fiberglass/plastic sets with impregnated designs. I picked up a set of the more recent wood grain melamine style w/gold rims at a church sale several years ago, they were on a stationary brown plastic holder. They turned out to be quite tippy, the legs were not balanced well so I donated to thrift. I noticed an identical set in one of the homes Pam toured in Las Vegas.
Julie says
I picked up a set of four on a rolling cart at an estate sale for $12. They are a darker olive green with a gold squiggly pattern and gold legs, presumably from the 60s. I’ve never used them for their intended purpose, but they do come in handy now and then as little temporary pop-up tables–e.g. to put a humidifier on when you’re sick, or to put flowers on when you’re lucky enough to get them. 🙂
JeffK says
Wow, my grandmother had those exact trays! I remember trying to get one at Thanksgiving and Xmas dinners so that I wouldn’t have to sit at the “kids table” with my cousins and could sit in the living room with the adults.
cathie says
My grandparents also had this exact set. We used them all the time. Nowadays, we just balance our plates on our lap. Our holiday kiddie table was the tea cart – but my grandfather used to sit at it with me, so it was all good!.
Kelly Wittenauer says
I think Lynda hit on something here. Our last 4 homes (including the current one) have been open plans that allow the TV to be viewed from a dining area. We don’t use trays, as we can see the tv from the table. My mid 20s son & daughter-in-law have an 1950s home with separate rooms. They mostly eat in front of the tv, using a folding camp table bought for the purpose. Their dining table, in the eat-in kitchen, is mostly used as extra counter space.
Mark says
This brings back fond memories of my childhood…setting up our TV trays and waiting for our TV dinners to be heated just in time for The Brady Bunch!
Kelly Wittenauer says
Wow – a totally 1960s snapshot!
pam kueber says
I was the world’s #1 fan of Swanson — or was it Banquet? — chicken and turkey pot pies. Four for $1!
Mark says
I loved the Banquet meatloaf in tomato sauce! I think it had a little brownie for dessert as well.
Chris says
I loved them too! Cardboard crusty goodness with about 2 little square carrots and 3 peas, swimming in a gluey sea of greige gravy. Why was it SO GOOD then? Now — ick.
pam kueber says
I am personally fond of the chicken pot pies from Trader Joe’s, and the Marie Callendar’s is pretty good too (although I need the one to feed two people!)
Nancy says
I DO HAVE a COMPLETE SET of ORIGINAL 1950’s tray tables with the SAME floral design as in the pic. Set of 8 – WITH THE ROLLING CART [for storage and use]. I’d post a pic if I could.