Besides putting this in the garden, what would you do with it?

A friend has approached me and asked what she should do with this piece of shellacked driftwood she received as a wedding gift from a family member... I don't think modification is an option... what would you do with it, especially since that family member visits occasionally?
3' long.
  38 answers
  • Mary Insana Mary Insana on Jun 05, 2013
    If she doesn't want to put it in the garden, put it away and just bring it out when that family member visits ! hehehe When they come put in a place of honor like on a coffee table or on a bookcase shelf.
  • Kimberly Barney Kimberly Barney on Jun 05, 2013
    It appears to be a rather large piece of driftwood. The first thing that came to mind for me was a candleholder. She could have circles cut out rather easily to place tea lights or votive candle holders in. The end that goes up appears to have a "bowl affect" to it which would work well for a silk flower arrangement. If you would prefer to hang it up, I see that "bowl affect" working well once again for a silk flower arrangement but one that hangs down. Depending on the depth of the "bowl affect" you may be able to hang the driftwood and use the end that goes up in its present position to hold a pillar candle holder. My final suggestion would be to use it as a base for another object by drilling a hole for the placement of dowel rods that will be used to hold other objects (i.e. fish, owls, birds, butterflies). It is a nice specimen of driftwood. I hope this helps.
  • Mary Romans Mary Romans on Jun 05, 2013
    Door-Stop ! Whatcha' think ?
  • Sheila E Sheila E on Jun 05, 2013
    Have a pole installed that goes up the center from the wider bottom area at the left side of this photo, put it on a base and stand it in the corner. From that angle it almost looks like the head of a sea animal with it's mouth open, at least from this picture.
  • Laurie @ Vinyet Etc Laurie @ Vinyet Etc on Jun 05, 2013
    Thanks guys!!! I'll gather all of your suggestions and let her know, so helpful! :D
  • Z Z on Jun 05, 2013
    That is quite an original wedding gift, I'll give them that for sure!
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Jun 05, 2013
    That would look great hanging on the wall, with the 'cup' at the bottom add an air plant (Tillandsia) or a staghorn and you have an awesome wall piece for indoor or outdoor.
  • Trent-Tonya Sharp Trent-Tonya Sharp on Jun 05, 2013
    that is a conversation piece for sure... beautiful.. if you have a coffee table put in the center of it and use candle for a while then later use some greenery or just old marbles or use it as a center piece on your kitchen table.
  • TJ TJ on Jun 05, 2013
    Becky, Blair NE - I had to share a gift that we got for a house warming present one year. It was a whole deer leg - hoof, hair and hide all attached. How is that for an original present? LOL
  • Debbie Gates Debbie Gates on Jun 05, 2013
    I would put a small amount of cactus soil in the cup part and add a small succulent or two. They don't take much water and can bring beautiful color to a spot in the home.
  • Z Z on Jun 05, 2013
    Okay @T Johns, yours wins! Ewww! Is there any chance that this piece of wood came from a tree that was grown on the family farm so it's suppose to have some historical significance to the couples family? Otherwise I'm stumped. No pun intended.
  • Susan Cryor Susan Cryor on Jun 06, 2013
    wish I knew the finish on it. Do you? It definitely needs something but would not cut holes in it, might effect the "value". Why not find a bonsai small enough to have the pot sit in the bowl part? One that grows horizontal
  • Sfg178760 Sfg178760 on Jun 06, 2013
    Natural Art is Awesome, so my first response it to hang it on a wall as is! But if that does not work for you...never mind...just looked at it and could not think of anything other than what has already been mentioned! o)
  • Linda Linda on Jun 06, 2013
    I think in a corner of your living room/den/dining room with some potted plants in front of it. I think the driftwood is very nice. With the right plants it could look awsome.
  • Cyndi Cyndi on Jun 06, 2013
    I'm wondering how common it is to give driftwood for a wedding gift? Was it "re-gifted" to the couple? But, as another poster commented, I would not cut any holes in it, etc, (have you looked at the prices of driftwood? outrageous) but using it as a bonsai planter or similar shouldn't hurt it, after all it's driftwood that's been shaped by the ocean.
  • Laurie @ Vinyet Etc Laurie @ Vinyet Etc on Jun 06, 2013
    Thanks so much guys, this is JUST awesome!!!! :D I'll bring these to her! My first time asking a question, usually I just post, but this is kind of fun! Appreciate you all taking the time to comment! xo
  • Sue Sue on Jun 06, 2013
    I like the idea of hanging vertically and using the "bowl" part for a plant. A small fern in a container that won't leak or maybe a large airplant that could be removed to be misted. or put a large hand blown glass orb instead of a plant?
  • Christine Christine on Jun 06, 2013
    The first thing that came to mind was to put it on a shelf under a glass coffee table. Depending upon, of course, whether or not the person HAS a glass coffee table. It definitely needs something around or on it. Its grain is beautiful in the picture. Odd gift. But obviously someone put some work into it.
  • Buster Evans Buster Evans on Jun 06, 2013
    I would not do anything to change or alter it from its present condition, A mantle piece over the fireplace with flowers or decorative stones in the bowl, or hang it on a large wall. could be placed on the porch beside the front door with flowers/succulents or stones in it. would not put it out in the weather (on the ground) since not sure of what finish is on it (interior /exterior). maybe stand it up on its wide end in a corner... looks kinda like an animals head on the bowl end.. Many possible uses as is!!
  • Mary Thorne Mary Thorne on Jun 06, 2013
    You could add an air plant.
  • Bobbie B Bobbie B on Jun 06, 2013
    Not sure on the size but it might be cool hanging above a fireplace if its not too big. If its bgger, Id check out making it into a cofee or conversational table. Its a beautiful peice and I kinda like the idea of drilling the holes into it and inserting the small candles.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Jun 06, 2013
    put a crystal ball in the "pocket" area and create a table top center piece. some shells and bit of fish net would enhance the beach theme.
  • Analogman Analogman on Jun 06, 2013
    Why not make a Clock out of it? You would need just a tiny hole to attache the workings.
  • Amy Wieden Amy Wieden on Jun 06, 2013
    Google "decorating with driftwood" and proceed from there? I agree with some of those comments above, it is an unusual wedding gift :D
  • Alice Vick Alice Vick on Jun 06, 2013
    building on KMS woodworks idea, if you fill the gazing ball with christmas lights it would be really pretty at night.
  • Katie Wells Katie Wells on Jun 06, 2013
    I would get a glass table and display it with like items,
  • Marci N Marci N on Jun 06, 2013
    Wonder if it would make a cute shelf on the wall? You could put a plant on the end that tilts up. Then a fun knick knack on the other end. its quite pretty and unusual. You could also ask the giver what to do with it, they might have some fun ideas too.
  • Bev Bev on Jun 06, 2013
    I think standing it on end and placing in on some really well finished walnut and displaying it would be nice. I had one like it that had some leaping dolphin figures placed in it.
  • Brenda Stephens Brenda Stephens on Jun 06, 2013
    Hang it on the wall with any of the "air" plants attached. These are plants that require no soil to grow and come in a variety of colors and textures. They require very little effort to keep alive. Staghorn fern would be lovely on that wood.
  • Pamela Dyer Pamela Dyer on Jun 07, 2013
    Use it to display an abandoned bird nest in the pocket. Just spray the nest w/ clear polyurethane, then add what ever goes with the nest. A little greenery or what ever you like.
  • Niki Hart Niki Hart on Jun 07, 2013
    If it was my piece of wood, I would drill holes along the bottom, add old silverware to make chimes, plant a succulent in the cup part, and hang it on the patio...maybe add some colored marbles or glass pieces to add some color...
  • Frankie Laney Frankie Laney on Jun 07, 2013
    Welll, wood is the traditional anniversary gift for the 5th year. Maybe she was just getting ahead of the game! I would place a little ornate ball or stones in it and find a spot for it somewhere. Especially if it's a favorite relative.
  • Yvonne McKinley Yvonne McKinley on Jun 07, 2013
    I have taken drift wood and made flower (Artificial) arrangements on them to sit on tables. Suoper easy to do and they look beautiful. Colors can be changed with the seasons.
  • Elaine Elaine on Jun 07, 2013
    perhaps a shelf support
  • Carole curtis Carole curtis on Jun 07, 2013
    How about some metal legs to make a stool out of it/
  • Carol Brown Carol Brown on Jun 07, 2013
    Yes, I think I'd add some legs and make a little table, then add some small planter on top.
  • Nancy Gramm Nancy Gramm on Nov 21, 2013
    It's lovely. I'd find/concoct some kind of stand and display it as a piece of sculpture. I can see it on an entry table or taking pride of place on a book shelf. Gorgeous!
  • Buster Evans Buster Evans on Nov 22, 2013
    Its a beautiful piece of wood, I would stand it in a corner and add other decorations/plants around it maybe in the corner by the front door where it is seen coming in or out.... or lay it on the hearth beside (not in lol) the fireplace ... If you have a large coffee table it could be a centerpiece and put stones or maybe even nuts and/or flowers in the dip area... there are lots of possibilities and it could be changed around from one thing to another with seasons or occasions.. I would NOT alter it with any kind or legs holes or additions/subtractions at all... its pretty as is... Use your imagination and create with it.