5 Elegant Holiday Vase Decorating Ideas Plus a Bonus DIY
As a home stylist, I’m always looking for simple arrangements that are easy to recreate and adapt to any color scheme.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably collected a few clear glass vases through thrifting or arrangements you’ve received as gifts.
The holiday season is the perfect time to bring them out.
Today I’m sharing five ways to turn those vases into elegant holiday decorations, plus a bonus arrangement made entirely from leftover materials.
Today I’m sharing five ways to turn those vases into elegant holiday decorations, plus a bonus arrangement made entirely from leftover materials.
1. Glowing Holiday Arrangement
Tools and Materials
- 2 glass vases -1 wider
- Fairy lights
- Clear beads
- Berry branches
- Shimmery branch
Start with two cylinder vases, one narrow enough to fit inside the other with a small gap.
Ideally, they would be the same height, but I’m using what I already have, so my inner vase is taller.
Tip
Use a kitchen turntable or even a placemat to rotate your arrangment and work comfortably.
Tape a strand of battery-operated fairy lights to the narrower vase, using the outer vase’s height as a guide.
Wrap the lights down and back up, securing them so the outer vase will cover the strand.
After nesting the vases, fill the gap with mini clear beads. If you have a wider gap, you could use craft pearls, tiny ornaments, artificial snow, or mini pine cones.
Because my inner vase is taller, I add beads inside it, too, for an iridescent glow.
Bend and intertwine snow-tipped berry stems until they look full and balanced.
Then tuck in shimmery branches for texture and sparkle.
To bridge the difference in vase heights, wrap ribbon around the outer vase’s top rim, securing it with double-sided tape.
The finished arrangement works on a console, sideboard, or holiday table.
Change the filler and florals to match your home's colors.
2. Elevated Floating Candle Holder
- 2 low cylinder vases
- Snowflake ornaments
- Hot glue and E6000 glue
- Glass plate/mirror
- Exhibit gel
- Floating candle
Gently curve your snowflakes, then lay the first vase on a placemat to keep it from rolling and protect the table. Attach the snowflakes with hot glue evenly around the glass.
For a longer-lasting hold, add dabs of E6000 at the centers and edges, with hot glue holding everything while it dries.
Turn the decorated vase upside down and glue another snowflake over its bottom. Then attach the second vase above it, facing upward.
Secure the piece to a shimmery round mirror with removable clear exhibit gel. A clear or white plate would also work.
Glittery ribbon around the bottom and middle finishes the look. Finally, fill the upper vase halfway with water and add a floating candle.
The water reflects the light, and you can see the snowflake sandwiched between the vases.
3. Snowflake Candle Arrangement
- 2 large identical vases
- Snowflake ornaments
- Hot glue
Glue a row of snowflakes near the top rim of one vase, then add a second row with the snowflakes extending beyond the bottom.
Next, I run a bead of glue around the bottom, add another snowflake in the center, and attach the second vase.
I turn the whole piece over and use exhibit gel to secure it to another mirrored base.
This creates another elevated floating candle arrangement. Each version looks lovely on its own, but together they make a striking centerpiece.
4. Small Candle Vase With Seasonal Picks
- Clear glass vase
- Shimmery leaf pick
- Berry picks
- Artificial snow
- Double-sided tape and hot glue
- Wire cutters
- Marble base
- Faux candle
Break the picks into smaller pieces, measure the vase, and trim the stems to fit. Although I usually prefer odd numbers, this pick gives me four branches, so I use all four.
Glue a small berry piece to the center of each leaf, then attach the stems evenly around the vase. Once secure, bend them to create a gentle swoop.
Around the bottom, add ribbon in the same color as the berries and tie a simple bow.
Place the vase on a white marble base to give it more presence, though a small dessert plate works beautifully, too.
Inside, sprinkle artificial snow and add a remote-controlled candle. A few extra berries tucked into the bow knot finish the arrangement.
It’s a lovely accent for a console, tray, or stack of coffee-table books.
5. Vase With a Soft Ribbon Spiral
- Cylinder vase
- Faux candle
- 5 berry picks
- Artificial snow
- Double-sided tape
- Low bowl/tray
- Ribbon
- Wire cutters
Begin by cutting two sugar-frosted berry picks into individual berries.
Next, tape thin organza ribbon to the top rim of a cylinder vase, swirl it around the glass in a soft spiral, and secure it at the bottom.
Place a remote-controlled pillar candle inside, scatter the berries around it, and sprinkle in artificial snow for texture and depth.
To give it a more finished look, nestle the vase inside a shallow bowl.
Gently bend three matching berry picks into a minimal, open wreath. Dry-fit them first to check the angles and overlap before taping the stems together.
Adjust the berries to point upward and place the vase in the center.
6. Bonus: Holiday Accent From Leftover Florals
Tools and Materials:
- Fern pick
- Cedar sprigs
- Shallow bowl
- Berry cuttings
- Ribbon
- 3 small ornaments
For this final idea, I'm using pieces leftover from several projects. Start by spreading out the fern and bending its stem to sit neatly in the bowl.
Then layer in darker greenery, lighter cedar sprigs, and deep red berries. The combination of colors and textures makes the small arrangement interesting.
Tie the stems together with ribbon and adjust their placement.
To balance the left side, cluster three ornaments with floral wire and loop the greenery stems through them so they stay in place.
This little arrangement works beautifully on a tray beside tall candles or styled on a stack of books.
Final Thoughts
Creating stunning holiday decor doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It just needs to be well thought out.
Even if you don’t have the exact pieces I’ve used, look the pieces you already own or can buy affordabuly and turn them into festive arrangements for your home.