I have a collection of large glass vases (left over from my wedding centrepieces…) and a collection of apothecary jars in varying shapes and sizes. I love to find new uses for them. Before the popularity of apothecary jars made them readily available, I always filled glass vases at Christmas time with a variety of decorations. I am going to show you six different ways you can use that collection of jars and vases collecting dust in your basement to decorate your home this holiday season. They are all quick, simple and inexpensive. The kids can help you with most of them as well! 

Six Holiday Vase Fillers

1. Christmas Tree Decorations

Take a large apothecary jar or vase and fill with round Christmas tree decorations. I prefer to use plastic ones as I am fearful that delicate glass decorations will shatter while I am trying to place them nicely. These particular decorations were purchased at Michaels; however, you can also find some great ones at your local dollar store or discount retailer. I opted to use decorations which are all the same size but you may prefer the look of various sizes which helps fill in more nooks and crannies.

 

2. Jingle Bells

Use jingle bells in a variety of sizes and colours to fill your vase. These bells were also purchased at Michaels. To add a bit of pizazz to the vase I added a few decorative sparkly sprigs from the floral department. This is a cheap and easy way to add height to a display without the need to purchase a taller vase or jar. The dollar store usually also has a decent selection of these festive sprigs.

 

3. Candy

Using red & white candies in a jar or a vase looks simply stunning and oh-so-festive. The red,green & white mints look so pretty.  Any sort of red & white or green & white candy would would perfectly in this display. To add fresh flowers or sprigs of evergreen, first place a smaller vase inside a larger vase. Pour the candies into the gap between the vases and use the smaller vase in the centre to hold your flowers.

 

4. Pinecones

It only makes sense to put pinecones out for a winter display as they remind you of Christmas trees and towering evergreens covered with snow. Adding a few sprigs of greenery from your Christmas tree will give the vase a bit of colour. Adding some holly leaves complete with berries will give it a nice pop of red. The pine trees around here don’t have the kind of pinecones I was looking for so I was forced to buy some. These are cinnamon-scented which is a nice surprise and there were a few gold ones in the bag which adds a nice bit of sparkle. You could always spray-paint some of yours! 

 

5. Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap, fresh or frozen cranberries, sprigs from your Christmas tree and some water. It has a magical look to it like the cranberries are floating on a bed of ice in a winter wonderland. This requires a lot of plastic wrap as you need to wad it pretty tightly so it doesn’t unravel as you add the water. Add the greenery to the bottom of the vase. Next, take a very long piece of plastic wrap and crumple it all up on top of the greenery. Add a layer of cranberries. Place another layer of plastic wrap then another thin layer of cranberries. Add some extra sprigs of greenery as accents among the cranberries. Slowly pour water into the vase. You will probably have to keep pushing the plastic wrap down as you add the water. If you decide you would like to add some tea lights on top, be sure to keep the sprigs away from the candles.

 

6. Epsom Salts

I bet you weren’t expecting that! It looks like snow in a jar. You can add just about anything to a jar with a layer of epsom salts in the bottom. It will look like a delightful little winter scene. You can stick with a simple candle in the centre or you can make a scene out of it using little trees and woodland creatures or tiny elves. I opted to use some little figurines I found from the movie A Christmas Story (our family’s fave!) along with some bottlebrush trees and a little house ornament.

 

Are you going to try one of these 6 holiday vase fillers? Do you have other awesome ways that you fill vases & apothecary jars during the holidays for a decorative centrepiece? I’d love to hear what you’ve done!