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Spring is just around the corner and that means wedding season is here. If I'm lucky, I'll come home with the centerpiece. Though I do everything I can — change the water, pull out the dead posies, nourish it with sugar water, trim the stems — eventually, I'm left with just the vase. Hmmm...now what? Before you toss it, consider these ideas.

  • Use it to create a terrarium: tiny succulents are lovely to look at and relatively easy to care for. Find the plants for a few dollars at your local home and garden store.
  • Make a trifle!: morph the traditional winter dessert into a summer dish with layers of fresh fruits and berries.
  • Use it outside or in, fitted with a fat candle: the glass will prevent the flame from being blown out by the wind.
  • Or use votives, nestled into tiny pebbles: the effect is subtler.
  • Catch coins near the front door: it's fun to watch it fill up!
  • Use it to hold a spare roll or two of toilet paper: it's there when you need it.
  • Turn it upside down and use it as the base for a DIY lamp: a simple lamp fits easily into every setting.
  • Use as a generous candy dish: or fill it with chips to welcome guests.
  • Summer salads look pretty served in a vase: dinner is not only nutritional but decorative.
  • Use as an ice bucket: before using, pop it in the freezer for a few moments
  • Or a makeshift champagne bucket: fill it with ice and salt to chill beverages fast.
  • Use it to store jewelry or makeup, rolled up ties or belts in the bedroom: the glass makes it easy to find what you're looking for.
  • Pour in epsom salts, add a pretty spoon, and set it by the tub to make your bath a place to soothe your sore muscles after exercise
  • Use it to hold personal items under the bathroom sink: unlike the box, the glass will keep them from getting wet
  • Use it by the stove, filled with kitchen utensils: it's a quick update for your kitchen.
  • Place it on your desk to hold pens and scissors, as well as all the little items — post its, thumbtacks, card reader — that would otherwise get scattered over your work surface.
  • Set it out on the buffet table to hold utensils: easy to see when you're running low.
  • Place it on your landing strip to hold your keys and all the little bits that come out of your pocket at the end of the day
  • Use it to corral stuff on your nightstand — you can even hang your glasses over the edge.
  • Display your collection, whatever your passion: baseballs, breadtags, marbles, action figures.
  • Or, of course, you can refill it with flowers!

(Image: Abigail Stone)

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