Uses for Recycled Tea Cups

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• Tea cups are just the right size to hold scented tea lights. Create a subtle lighting effect by grouping together a few cups of different shapes and sizes. Alternatively, make tea cup candles. Melt soya wax according to the manufacturer's instructions, add a few drops of essential oil, pour into the tea cups and insert a wick in each. Tea cups also make charming containers for potpourri or fresh flowers. To create a flower arrangement, place moist florist's foam in the cup and add small blooms and greenery of your choice.

Garden

• Add color and interest to your garden by putting old tea cups to practical use. Make an unusual bird feeder by affixing a saucer to a wooden rod, gluing a tea cup on to the saucer and filling the cup with bird food. Birds can perch on the saucer while they feed. Use mismatched tea cups for growing herbs and other small, scented plants. Drill a small drainage hole in the base of each cup and arrange the tea cup planters to create an attractive, aromatic display close to your garden table or seating area.

Gifts

• For a tea connoisseur, create a thoughtful gift using a cup with matching saucer. Use double-sided tape to fix the cup to the saucer. In the cup place sachets of specialty teas and small packets of shortbread or homemade shortbread bites. Use the double-sided tape to fix a silver teaspoon to the saucer. Wrap the gift in cellophane and add a decorative bow. For a gift to a child, fill a bright and robust tea cup with her favorite candies and sit a small plush toy on top.

Celebrations

• Create a holiday centerpiece by arranging red and white flowers and greenery in a tea cup. Place the cup on a saucer decorated with berries, bows, nuts and fir cones. In keeping with the theme of a bridal shower tea party, provide delicate cups and saucers as favors. Fill each cup with luxury chocolates and use ribbon to tie a small card, containing a personal, handwritten message, to the handle of each cup.To obtain cups and saucers for the favors, search your cabinets, ask friends and neighbors to donate suitable items and visit charity shops.