Giving a Vase as a Gift: What to Look for When Choosing

A vase is a gift that lasts, not a bunch of flowers that wilts within a week. Choosing a handmade mosaic vase mainly comes down to size, colour and material, and whether a touch of custom work makes the gift feel extra personal.

Why is a vase a good gift?

Unlike flowers themselves, a vase lasts for years. It is both functional and decorative: it can hold fresh flowers day to day, but also looks good empty as a standalone object on a sideboard or windowsill. With a handmade mosaic vase there is something a factory piece cannot offer: every piece is laid and grouted by hand from hand cut glass tesserae, inspired by the Egyptian mosaic tradition. No two vases are identical, and those small colour variations and irregularities are exactly what make the gift feel more personal than something mass produced.

A gift that lasts for years also fits a more conscious way of giving: buying fewer new things that get thrown away quickly, and choosing something that stays instead. Dutch consumer advice service Milieu Centraal makes the same case for buying less and longer lasting.

How do you choose the right vase as a gift?

A few practical points help you pick well:

• Occasion: a birthday or anniversary often suits a bold colour, while a housewarming or condolence gift calls for a calmer tone.
• The recipient's interior: if you know their style, choose a mosaic colour that fits it rather than your own taste.
• Size: a table vase for a sofa or dining table needs a different scale than a tall floor vase.
• Use: will the recipient regularly put fresh flowers in it, or is the vase mainly a decorative object, which also affects the best shape.

Not sure about the right size? This guide to choosing a vase size for the living room covers the main rules of thumb.

Can you personalise a vase as a gift?

Yes. At Masr Potten & Vazen, custom work is possible in colour, model and size, and that is not limited to business orders. For a truly personal gift you can have a colour combination laid that matches the recipient's interior or taste. A custom piece typically takes six to ten weeks from approval to delivery, with progress photos of the mosaic work along the way, so plan ahead if the gift needs to arrive by a specific date. For companies, a logo worked into the mosaic is also possible, a nice option when the gift is given on behalf of a team or organisation; that is the same technique described in the existing article about

having a logo worked into mosaic.

What does a vase cost as a gift?

The collection starts at around €135, with larger sizes available on request and quote. A no obligation quote is ready within two working days, so you know where you stand quickly, even for a custom piece. Delivery covers the Netherlands and Belgium, right to the spot where the vase will stand.

Is a mosaic vase practical to actually use?

Absolutely, and that is what makes it a more valuable gift: it is not a dust collector but something the recipient can genuinely use. A few points worth knowing or passing on:

• Check that a vase is watertight before adding water, especially with an older or second hand piece.
• Terracotta and earthenware are porous: they breathe and moisture evaporates faster than with glass or plastic, which can actually suit fresh cut flowers well.
• Dried flowers do not need a watertight vase, which opens up more choice in shape and size.

Read more on how to test whether a vase is watertight and repair a leak, and which vase shape works best for dried flowers.