After The Wine

I love flowers just as much as the next person, but it can get pricey keeping fresh flowers all the time. So what is a girl to do when entertaining and she has already spent all her money on food for the scrumptious meal? Well, the picture gives it all away. Yes! Re-use your wine bottles as a centerpiece (that one you polished off last night) and reduce your carbon footprint in the process. It's stylish, elegant and you can say you made it - guests are very impressed by that :)

This works best if you use varying colored wine bottles with slightly different shapes. I imagine it won't be very hard to down amass a few bottles in the name of this crafty cause, but in the event you are not an oenophile, be a problem solver and get some from your wine friends or buy some "three buck chuck" at Trader Joe's ('cuz it doesn't get cheaper than that).

Directions: Remove the labels by submerging the bottles in hot water for a little while; they come off pretty easily after that. Purchase some candle tapers - the thinner, the better (at JoAnns or Hobby Lobby - don't proceed without a 40% off online coupon, BB&Beyond - don't proceed without your ubiquitous 20% off coupon mailer). I found a pack of 6 candles from JoAnns that fit perfectly into each bottle, but in the event your candlesticks are a little too thick to stick in the bottle directly, take a sharp, chef's knife and shave off the bottom inch (all the way around) each taper so it fits into the bottle opening. Press it down into the opening so it's secure and won't topple out. Add some votives around your bottles, light all the candles, and you will have created a lovely ambiance for your evening.

If this project is too daunting, you can always use your leftover wine bottles to hold water. I've seen restaurants do this. About an hour before your guests arrive, put the wine bottle filled with water in the refrigerator to cool down. I actually have a magnum-sized wine bottle that I utilize (can't seem to place where I got it from and therein probably lies the answer) which doesn't require as much refilling.

So after you drink your wine, just as happily re-use your bottles!