How to Make Your Own Stylish Christmas Crackers, Courtesy of Hill House Vintage’s Paula Sutton

Plant forced bulbs in vintage ceramics

I love to plant indoor winter bulbs such as hyacinths and paperwhites in vintage ceramics, which are incredibly easy to come by. Look for timeless shapes, scalloped edges, and beautiful patterns; even the most incongruous set will look charming in this context. Try a single bulb in an old and intricately patterned gravy boat or teacup, or, for more impact, plant several bulbs together in a lidless soupier or tureen, covering the soil with a layer of green moss that can either be lifted from the garden or bought in bags from floristry suppliers. Of course, given the lack of drainage holes, make sure that you place little stones at the bottom of each dish to make sure bulbs aren’t drowned, or—alternatively—keep the soil only slightly damp, tipping out excess water where necessary. The end result will look stunning, and fill your home with a gorgeous scent, too.

Repurpose teacups as candle holders

I challenge anyone not to have a couple of old mugs or teacups lying around that they don’t use. Perhaps they’re chipped, perhaps the handle is missing, but that’s no issue when you transform them into candle holders. Wax flakes and scented oils can be purchased from candle-making suppliers for this one, but in the spirit of making do, candle ends are also brilliant.

Melt your old candles (or your newly purchased wax flakes) in a small saucepan placed inside another saucepan filled with water, making sure not to overheat. Remove old wicks from the old wax. Using a wick centering tool (or the clothes peg trick), dangle the wick over your cup, ensuring that the bottom end of the wick is only nearly touching the bottom, but not quite.

Now gently pour the wax into your mug or teacup until it’s approximately three-quarters of the way up the sides, then leave to set for approximately an hour. The wax will naturally sink in the middle, and you will need to melt and pour any remaining wax on top, repeating until it sits level. It helps to make a few small holes in the surface before pouring in each layer to ensure that any air bubbles are released. Then, simply trim your wick to about one centimeter above the top of the cup, and enjoy.