Ideas for Large Martini Glass Centerpieces

Bubbles and Baubles

• Fill the martini glass with small, round assorted Christmas ornaments for a holiday-themed display, or use two colors for a special event, such a college team's colors for a graduation celebration. Give the centerpiece candy-themed bold colors by filling the martini vase with solid-colored high-bounce balls, or use glow-in-the-dark balls or eyeballs for an ambient or spooky effect for a Halloween party. Fit a small floral LED light in the bottom of the glass, filling the glass the rest of the way with glass floral beads or cubes for another illuminated creation. Floral lights are available in many colors, so you can tint the glass to suit the occasion. Add a glass novelty drink stirrer with built-in glass olive for a humorous touch. If space allows underneath the stem, a vase up-light from a specialty shop offers another way to light up the centerpiece.

Festive Floral Displays

• Find the largest hydrangea bloom available from your own garden or a local shop, or use a dried or fake hydrangea to fill the entire top of a giant martini glass. The round flower atop the angled glass creates a look reminiscent of a tasty treat such as a scoop of ice cream. Use smaller hydrangea blooms to fill two or three other standard martini glasses for a larger centerpiece display. Create a citrus-inspired display for spring or summer using blooms in yellow and orange, kept fresh in individual floral tubes. Fill the bottom of the martini glass with small glass gems in colors matching the flowers. Add a slice of lemon or lime to the side of the glass for an extra citrus touch.

Watery Wonders

• Display one flower or several small blooms under water in a clear martini glass for an unusual twist on a floral vase. Select lilies, roses or daisies -- or your own favorite flowers -- snipping off most of the stem. Tie the remaining stem bit to a piece of fishing line and a fishing weight to keep the flower submerged. Add a few glass gems to the bottom of the glass to hide the weight, then add water. If you're using tiny blooms, a floating candle may be placed on top of the water. For another look, fill the bottom of the glass with clean aquarium gravel, along with one or two small aquarium decorations such as an anchor or castle. Fill the glass with water and add small fish such as neon tetras or one betta. Treat the water as recommended for the fish species you use to ensure that the fish thrive, feeding them regularly. Skip the fish if you do not want the extra work of caring for them.

The Layered Look

• Create colorful layered displays for a centerpiece, using items or colors suited to the event. For instance, decorate for Christmas using layers of red, white and green sugar crystals, orange and white for autumn or red, white and blue for patriotic holidays. Colored sugar crystals are available in the baking aisle at a grocery store. For a garden harvest party, layer dried, colorful beans such as orange and green lentils or mung beans. A small votive candle may be placed on top of sugar or dried beans for an added touch.