I have also used sugar or salt which can look really cool next to a bright colored candle.

I like to also use aquarium gravel- great funky colors to choose from. At Christmas time, I use fresh cranberries in all of my vases and to support candles also! In a non- water arrangement (candles or silk flowers), the small message hearts are great for Valentine's day!

We used economical water storing crystals to fill the vases and accented the tables with the more expensive acrylic diamond confetti. Both available at http://www.yourweddingcompany.com

Split peas are also a great vase filler - the bright green against a brown candle or natural ting ting looks really cool.

I like the idea of putting a smaller diameter vase with a candle in it inside of a larger vase and filling the larger one with water - it looks awesome!

Birdseed, and a variety of dried beans look awesome. I have also saved up corks from wine bottles filled a vase and placed a candle in the center. Looks great!

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During the holidays I filled a large glass cylinder with old mercury ball ornaments, it was gorgeous as a centerpiece.

These are all wonderful ideas, everyone! Haley - I actually saw a cyinder vase filled with split peas in a store display after this article was written - and you're right - they make for such an interesting filler! Love all the other ideas too - rock salt, aquarium gravel, water crystals,birdseed, ornaments, corks - and the water between 2 vases is a great idea too! That would be a fun thing to try with tinted water too.

Thanks so much and please keep 'em coming! :)

cranberries for the holidays

This time of year- I have tons of hostas in the garden. I just fill huge vases and put them around the house with water and hosta leaves. They last ages and look really fresh and crisp!

Help. We are planning a wedding shower and have taken many of your ideas that are wonderful. One thing I need help with is we are doing a beach themed wedding shower and made beach bags for each attending and filling with knock off sunglasses, water bottles with labels printed on them, and want to fill each with a magazine. Is there any chance I can get 55 past editions of your magazine to put into each of these bags for our bridal shower. Your magazine is the brides favorite and it would also be great advertisement for you. Thanks for all the great tips. I look here any chance i get for all your great ideas. thanks for making my life so much easier.