Wine Glass Ideas

Well Lit

• Turn a wine glass into a candle holder. Place a candle in a wine glass to contain the melting wax and to protect it from being blown out on a windy night as the recipient enjoys its warmth and light. Place tall candles in a wine glass to make an accent piece or centerpiece. Another technique is using the wine glass to make container candles or gel candles by pouring the wax right into the glass. You can find a kit in a hobby shop.

Overhead Innovation

• One very fun and funky idea is a chandelier made from wine glasses. This is a great way to use any mismatched or unused glasses just sitting around collecting dust. Start with a lampshade; it can be small, medium or large, whatever size you want your chandelier to be. Strip the lampshade so you are left with only the metal frame. If you need to, reinforce it with wire hangers to support the weight of the glasses. To the frame attach a hanging light kit for a low-watt light bulb. Then use strong wire to attach the glasses to the frame, hanging with their tops toward the floor.

Happy Birthday

• Use the wine glass as a gift basket. For a birthday, tie a bow of ribbon around the stem and place a little "happy birthday" balloon on a stick in the glass along with a small present that will fit in a wine glass: jewelry, a fancy pen, gift cards or a rolled-up scarf. Or go with a theme. For a sewing enthusiast, put thread and thimbles in the wine glass atop several brightly colored buttons. For an avid gardener, use seed packets and a rolled-up pair of gardening gloves.

Food Fun

• Another take on the gift basket idea is filling the glass with edible gifts. This makes an inexpensive Father's or Mother's Day, get-well-soon, housewarming, Valentine's Day, anniversary or just-because gift. Make a sweet-eats glass filled with candies or individually wrapped mini brownies or bite-sized cookies. Stand a little pack of fancy crackers in the glass with a stick of beef, venison or turkey jerky. Make a fudge-and-fruit wine glass with a small bag of dried fruit and individually wrapped pieces of fudge. Or serve a dessert that you made for the recipient in a wine glass.