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Any vessel can be used for a flower arrangement, even if it's not water-tight. Tins, like these feminine, pleasingly aged Louis Sherry chocolate boxes, can be lined with plastic bags; use floral foam to make your arrangement conform to the box, or just make a lattice of tape over the top and use the grid to guide your stems. Check out this post for a few good how-tos.

I tend to gravitate towards low, round, opaque containers. Opaque is often preferable because if the container hides the stems, the whole arrangement has a cleaner look. Low vases and vessels are great for centerpieces because your guests can see each other over the flowers. And a round shape, while certainly not imperative, has a nice organic feeling, and encourages you to create arrangements that look nice from all angles.

This miner's cup and mason jar both have a more rustic look. I love to use old mason jars, especially in hard-to-find colors like this pale purple.

Flea market shopping can often yield sets of glasses, mugs, or cups that will make beautiful small bouquets to parade down the middle of a long table. This set of five etched brass mugs for $10 was worth it, don't you think? I might not ever drink out of them, but they'll be perfect for little low arrangements at a dinner party.

(Images: Susie Nadler)