8 gorgeous, giftable vases

By Haley Jo Lewis

Haley is a newsletters editor at Wirecutter — and proud owner of a yellow fish pitcher vase.

• This porcelain, twisted vase has a cinched waist that flares out at the top. It comes in a simple, creamy-white color that would look at home on almost any entryway table or dresser. Its twisted body encourages stems to fall artfully without much effort, and its rippled lip allows the blooms to arc, spill, and then rest neatly, just so. “I’ve seen it make a $15 Trader Joe’s bundle look like a hotel lobby install,” says gifts expert Hannah Morrill.
• These water-resistant paper vases are something of an art piece. They arrive flat, and once popped open and slid around a drinking glass or trimmed plastic bottle, become a stunning, one-of-a-kind vessel. The patterns range from abstract flora and fauna to absurdist delights (a foot?). “I just can’t think of a cooler or more convenient gift to bring with you when you’re traveling,” says Hannah. “And they’re just so visually exuberant.”
• For bitty buds: This shapely vase from MoMA’s iconic design store resembles a fully ripe Bartlett pear, complete with a leafy green accent. It’s about the size of the actual fruit, and it can hold just one stem — but it’s artful enough that one feels plenty, somehow. Similarly, this ceramic bud vase is a timeless classic. Your most aesthetic friends will likely appreciate that it can spark joy in any small corner, even when it’s not sporting any flowers.
• If you’d like to gift a small set: This collection of petite vases looks great in a cluster on a shelf or in a row down the center of a table. Made from durable borosilicate glass, with slightly frilly Victorian edges, these bud vases look way more expensive than they are.
• If you’re not quite sure what your giftee’s home looks like, this slim enamelware jug is a great choice. Part-pitcher, part-vase, its neutral design adapts easily to any decor. It resists chips and dings, comes in over a dozen colors, and when it’s not holding bouquets, is good for sangria and the like. (And if you want to go all out, you could include these matching enamelware tumblers, too. They’re ideal for outdoor dining, but they’re also useful indoors, whether on a desk or by your bed.)
• Speaking of a two-for-one: There’s more than meets the eye with this glossy open-mouthed fish. As a vase, it delights dinner parties by appearing to gobble up gladiolus and goldenrods. As a pitcher, it makes a soft and pleasant gurgling sound as it pours. It comes in tons of different bright colors, so you’re likely to find one to match your recipient’s taste.
• And now, for a magic trick: One side of this reversible vase is the perfect home for a mid-sized bouquet. Flipped over, you have a lovely vessel for just a few buds. What’s more, its cool glass color combos look pretty on display with no flowers at all — for all those moments in between bouquets.