(Ph. © (Photo: Andrea Hubbell)
Remember the baby food in glass jars that our parents used to give us? Admittedly, they're not as ubiquitous as they once were; these days, many moms are making their own baby food or buying the ever-so-convenient squeeze packs that make eating spinach seem fun. But if you’re like me—and, yes, I buy baby food, so sue me!—using the cute little jars gives you a chance to save them for a variety of uses. I love turning them into vessels for plants and flowers; you can force seedlings of herbs, hearty ferns, or succulents, and give them as gifts, or repurpose a handful of jars to compose a windowsill garden. Delicate cut flowers such as ranunculus also look great in them as miniature flower arrangements.

(Photos: Cate West Zahl)